‘What do you do when you play?’ The viewership ratings also skyrocketed with the activities of Yoo Jae-suk, who became a tollgate idol, and Joo Woo-jae, who reached the highest level of popularity.

The MBC ‘What do you do when you play?’ (directed by Kim Jin-yong, Lee Joo-won, Wang Jong-seok, Ahn Ji-sun, Bang Sung-soo/written by Noh Min-sun) broadcast on the 8th was decorated with the ‘People who work even in the snow’ episode, which featured Yoo Jae-suk and Joo Woo-jae working in various places on the highway.

The ‘What do you do when you play?’ broadcast that day recorded a metropolitan area viewership rating of 6.5%, achieving first place among all Saturday entertainment shows. It has been on an upward trend in viewership ratings for two consecutive weeks since 2025, recording the highest viewership ratings of the year. The key indicator of channel competitiveness and topicality, the 2049 viewership rating, recorded 3.5%, taking first place overall on Saturdays among all programs including dramas and variety shows.

Also, in the scene where Haha, Lee Yi-kyung, Park Jin-joo, and Mi-joo announce the start of work at the rest stop, the highest viewership rating per minute rose to 8.3%. Expectations are high for the four people who will work hard at the ramen corner and snack corner of the highway rest stop, which are different places from Yoo Jae-suk and Joo Woo-jae. (Nielsen Korea metropolitan area standard)

Yoo Jae-suk, who added his 20th grand prize, focused attention by starting his first recording 8 hours after receiving the award. Joo Woo-jae excitedly said, “If I were Jae-suk hyung, I think I would be able to close my eyes with a smile in the distant future,” and escorted Yoo Jae-suk on his way to work. At the rest stop, which was the opening location, citizens greeted Yoo Jae-suk with, “Congratulations on the grand prize!” He also received compliments such as, “You‘re so handsome.” The atmosphere was similar to that of Yoo Jae-suk’s rest stop fan meeting, and Joo Woo-jae was jealous, saying, “The citizens only look at Jae-suk hyung. They probably don‘t even know I exist.”

When Joo Woo-jae asked him how it felt to win 20 daesangs, Yoo Jae-suk said, “I’ve won 8 at MBC, 8 at SBS, 2 at KBS, and 2 at Baeksang. It‘s amazing to have won 20 in 20 years since I first won the daesang in 2005.”

The two who transformed into tollgate collectors entered the tollgate, amazed by the underground passageway where only employees used to go. The citizens reacted with surprise at the sight of Yoo Jae-suk sitting at the tollgate, whom they had never imagined. Yoo Jae-suk shouted, “Today is the Lunar New Year holiday, so the toll is exempt,” greeting each person and posing for pictures. The tollgate employee praised Yoo Jae-suk, who had become a tollgate idol, saying, “If you’re here, you‘ll probably win the Best Kindness Award.” In front of the tollgate, there were cars that didn’t slow down, and there were also citizens who didn‘t wear their seatbelts. Yoo Jae-suk repeatedly emphasized, “You must wear your seatbelt.”

On the other hand, Joo Woo-jae’s line was quiet. Joo Woo-jae, who had been waiting for customers with his head stretched out, finally prepared to greet the cars that had arrived, but was forcibly skipped. Joo Woo-jae looked at Yoo Jae-suk and looked at the citizens who were disappointed, and said bitterly, “I would want to join Yoo Jae-suk‘s line too.” Meanwhile, citizens who recognized Joo Woo-jae, who was thirsty for attention, came one after another. Joo Woo-jae, who was excited, smiled broadly and said, “I’m Joo Woo-jae, who won the Best Entertainer Award at the MBC Entertainment Awards.” Joo Woo-jae, who hit the peak of his popularity, said, “I just found out today. I‘m a person who likes to be the center of attention,” and made everyone laugh with satisfaction.

Then, the two came across an accident scene while patrolling the highway with safety patrol officers. The officers stood naked in the middle of the speeding cars to prevent a secondary accident. Yoo Jae-suk and Joo Woo-jae, who were left in the car, felt dizzy at the speed at which the car was swaying. Joo Woo-jae sympathized with the safety patrol officer’s story that his body was stiff when he first started doing this job, and Yoo Jae-suk said, “I use the highway a lot on a daily basis, but I feel a lot when I come here,” expressing his gratitude. The two people‘s activities on the highway during the Lunar New Year holiday conveyed pleasant energy while also showing a different scenery, drawing a hot response from viewers.

The next broadcast preview included the appearance of a special guest, raising expectations. The Gourmet Road with Japanese actor Yutaka Matsushige, the ‘Lonely Gourmet’, and actress Eun-kyung Shim, who ‘appeared on a variety show for the first time in 11 years’, has garnered much attention.

MBC’s ‘What Do You Do When You Play?’ airs every Saturday at 6:25 PM.

Photo courtesy of MBC ‘What Do You Do When You Play?’

Jo Sung-woon, Donga.com reporter madduxly@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.