Yoo Jae-Seok

This is a Korean name; the family name is Yoo.

Yoo Jae-Seok
Pseudonym	Grasshopper (메뚜기), Nal Yoo (날 유), Yooruce Willis Yoo Hyuk
Birth name	Yoo Jae-Seok
Born	August 14, 1972 (1972-08-14) Seoul, South Korea
Medium	Stand-up, television
Nationality	South Korea
Years active	1991 – present
Genres	Observational, Sketch, Wit, Parody, Slapstick, Dramatic, Sitcom
Influences	Shim Hyung-rae, Lee Gyeong-gyu, Shin Dong-yeob, Kang Ho-dong
Influenced	Jung Hyung-don, Noh Hong-cheol, Gil Sung-jun, Ha-Ha, Shin Bong-Seon
Spouse	Na Gyung-Eun (announcer)
Notable works and roles	Host of Infinite Challenge, Running Man, Family Outing and Happy Together

Korean name
Hangul	유재석
Hanja	劉在錫
Revised Romanization	Yu Jae-seok
McCune–Reischauer	Yu Chae-sŏk

Yoo Jae-Seok (Hangul: 유재석; or spelled Yu Jae-Suk; born on August 14, 1972) is a South Korean comedian and television comedy show host. Nicknamed as "MC of the nation" (국민 MC), people (netizens) have voted him for the most popular Korean comedian for five consecutive years (since 2004). He has hosted several variety television shows in South Korea, including the hugely popular program Infinite Challenge. Nicknamed "The Grasshopper", due to early appearances dressed as a grasshopper, he is now known for his quick wit and likability with most demographics, and has established himself as one of Korea's top comedians and TV personalities.

Biography

Yoo Jae-Suk was born as the first child out of three (he has two younger sisters) on August 14, 1972 in Seoul, South Korea. Yoo Jae-Suk attended the Seoul Institute of the Arts, but had been unable to receive his degree due to his busy schedule as a comedian.

His television debut was on the KBS Comedian Festival (for college students) in 1991, performing a parody of a commercial with Choi Seung-Gyung (Hangul: 최승경). In Infinity Challenge, him dancing to a cover of the song "Step by Step" by New Kids on the Block was shown as one of his early memorable moments. After nine years of hard times, in 2000, he hosted a program called Live and Enjoy Together (Dong-guh-dong-lak), thanks to Choi Jin-Sil's recommendation. The program became instantly popular, and since then, Yoo began to host many other variety programs. His potentiality was fully shown when he co-hosted a program called The Crash of MCs (MC 대격돌 – 공포의 쿵쿵따) with Kang Ho-Dong, Lee Hui-Jae and Kim Han-Seok.

His first Grand Prix was for a program called Happy Together Friends, which concept based on TV personalities trying to find their school friends (five of them) out of many (false friends) who are sitting behind the desk. The show brought reminiscence upon the viewers' school days, and became very popular. This Grand Prix is even more memorable, not just because it was Yoo's first one, but it was from the broadcasting system where he debuted.

He hosted the shows X-Man, which soon grew to be very popular, and thus one of the most viewed shows in Korea. During those times, he gained much more popularity and many programs began to nickname Yoo as "MC of the Nation." However, after few years of constant airing, the program was canceled due to failing ratings as well as absence of new ideas, and Yoo went on to host its replacement shows, New X-Man, Old TV (in which guests would re-enact classic TV series), and Haja! Go! (Let's Do It) for SBS, which were all canceled soon, due to low ratings on Sunday evening. However, X-Man has gone on to success in international syndication.

Yoo is a part of the cast of the top-rated comic variety program Muhan Dojeon (무한도전), as the host-in-chief since 2005. Initially a six-member cast, Haha left the program as he was drafted to serve his mandatory military service and was replaced by Shinhwa's Junjin. The program wasn't popular when it first aired, but by the time Season 3 aired in 2006, the concept and format of "variety & reality program" became so popular, and Infinite Challenge became the forerunner of so many programs to follow with the same or similar format. Infinite Challenge is possibly the best program for Yoo, for he met his wife Na Gyoung-Eun (나경은) during season 2, and with the rising popularity and significant effect on general public, Yoo got even more famous. He ended up getting total of three Grand Prix (in 2006, 2007 and 2009) with the program.

Yoo also koco-hosts Come to Play (놀러와) with Kim Won-Hee and Happy Together Season 3 (해피 투게더 3) with Park Myung-Soo, Park Mi-Seon and Shin Bong-Seon. Yoo hosted these talk shows for a long period of time (both over 5 years), but the ratings have been constantly high throughout the years. Similar, yet very different, Yoo tries his best to differentiate his hosting styles, both based on the guests and the settings they are situated in.

After those replacement shows on SBS, on June 15, 2008, Yoo, along with Lee Hyori, Yoon Jong-Shin, Kim Soo-Ro, Lee Chun Hee, Kang Dae-Sung, Park Ye-Jin and Kim Jong Kook (since episode 19) are the hosts and family members of Family Outing (Korean: 패밀리가 떴다), part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup. Since then, Family Outing has become one of the top-rated shows in Korea, consistently achieving the highest ratings at Sunday mid-afternoon time-slot (especially during the first and second quarters of 2009) However, with various problems and scandals regarding the program, and by the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010, a rumor of Yoo not continuing his contract with Family Outing was raised. By the time of his contract expiration, Family Outing rating wasn't same as that of beginning of 2009, and Season 1 was brought to an end (on 2010.02.14 with Family Awards).

On July 6, 2008, Yoo Jae-Seok married MBC announcer Na Gyoung-Eun (나경은) who has also worked on the show Infinite Challenge. Yoo and his wife welcomed their first child, a son, on May 1, 2010. He is a Buddhist.

From July 11, 2010, he is hosting in a variety show called Running Man together with Ji Suk Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Kang Hee-gun/Gary (LeeSsang), Ha Dong Hoon, Song Ji-hyo, Song Joong-Ki and Lee Kwang Soo.

Characters

Nicknames

• Grasshopper (메뚜기)
• Master of ceremony for the Nation (국민 MC)
• Class-President Yoo (유반장)
• Jive Yoo
• Samba Yoo
• Deliquent Yoo (날유)
• Dumb (and Dumber)
• C-Dragon
• Hubby Yoo (유 서방)
• Yooruce Willis (Hangul: 유르스 윌리스; spoof for Bruce Willis)
• Yoo Hyuk
• Yoomes Bond
• Seuk T.O.P
• Yoobocop
• Detective Yoo
• Rapper Yoo
• National Grasshopper

On Infinite Challenge

On Infinite Challenge as the host-in-chief, he leads all Infinite Challenge members to reach the goal of each episode. Due to his leadership presented to this program, a new kind of cult has been created called "Infinite Jaeseok Cult" (Korean: 무한재석교) and he becomes a spiritual leader of this false-religion. The official followers are Ha Ha and Noh Hong-cheol (from the episode of Season 3, episode 61), and the official motto is "I shall make you laugh" (내가 너희를 웃기게 하리라).

Also during the New Zealand series, he got caught smuggling pornographic videos during the baggage check, which was hidden by the second host in charge: Park Myung-Soo. This sketch was well received by the Korean netizens and Jae-Seok became "Ero Jae-Seok". Even now, over seventy episodes later, he still is made fun of for watching pornographic videos which he hadn't watched.

He has been called "Class-president Yoo" (유 반장) for so many episodes of Muhan Dojun, but since "Palace Millionaire" special (Slumdog Millionaire parody, where Infinite Challenge members tour old palaces in Seoul), Yoo has been nicknamed Delinquent Yoo (날 유), for having meetings with girls at these palaces back when he was a high school student. His most recent nickname has been "An Animal Racer" (짐승 레이서), "A Genius Racer" (천재 레이서), and "Yoomacher" (유 마허), thanks to his excellent driving skills shown during Infinite Challenge Formula One (F1) Special.

On Family Outing

The vital power of the instant success of Family Outing has been the characters' relationships. Two of the most successful character pairings has been "The Nation's siblings" (국민 남매) with Lee Hyo-ri and "Dumb and Dumber" with Dae-Sung of Big Bang. Yoo has been the driving force of those two character relationships, as program's host-in-chief and regular member of the family.

On Running Man

Although he is one of the weak ones, Yoo is always portrayed as the rival of Kim Jong Kook. He often calls himself "Yooruce Willis" (유르스 윌리스) when being chased by Kim "Sparta" Kook but he often gets caught in the end. He is also often labelled as the "Icon of Betrayal" because in one of the episode (38) where he has to lie to and eliminate all his teammates. However, in later episodes, he became one of the top three strongest members of Running Man who could potentially pose a threat to win any of his missions.

On TV talk shows

As the main host of two talk shows (Come to Play and Happy Together Season 3), Yoo tries to differentiate his hosting (MC-ing) styles. In Come to Play, he focuses more on guests' episodes, rather than his own (This can be violated when his close friends appear on the show). His remarks and reactions flow even if the guest is new on any kind of variety programs, thus makes Come to Play very heartwarming to watch. Happy Together Season 3 is little bit different in a sense that the setting is much more intimate (in a sauna locker room), and Yoo's ad-libs shine brilliantly.

Filmography

Television host

List of present programs

• MBC: Infinite Challenge (무한도전) Host (since 2005.04.23)
• MBC: Yoo Jae-seok & Kim Won-Hee's Come to Play (유재석 김원희의 놀러와) Co-Host (since 2004)
• KBS2: Happy Together Season 3 (해피 투게더 시즌3) Co-Host (since 2007.6.28)
• SBS: Good Sunday – Running Man (일요일이 좋다 – 런닝맨) Host (since 2010.7.10)

List of former programs

• SBS: Good Sunday – Family Outing (일요일이 좋다 – 패밀리가 떴다 2008.6.15 ~ 2010.2.14) Host
• SBS: Good Sunday – Miracle Contestant (일요일이 좋다 – 기적의 승부사 2007.11.11 ~ 2008.2.3)
• SBS: Good Sunday – Old TV (일요일이 좋다 – 옛날TV, 2007.6.17 ~ 2007.11.04) Host-in-chief
• SBS: Good Sunday – Haja Go! (Let's Do It!) (일요일이 좋다 – 하자고! 2007.4.15 ~ 2007.6.10) Host-in-chief
• SBS: Yoo Jae-Seok's Truth Game (유재석의 진실 게임 2005 ~ 2007) Host
• SBS: Real Situation Saturday/Good Sunday – X-Man (실제상황! 토요일/일요일이 좋다 – X맨 2003.11.8 ~ 2006.10.29) Host-in-chief
• KBS2: Happy Together Friends (해피 투게더 프렌즈 2005.5.5 ~ 2007.6.21) Co-Host
• SBS: Good Sunday – New X-Man (일요일이 좋다 – 뉴 X맨 2006.11.5 ~ 2007.4.8) Host-in-chief
• KBS2: Happy Together – Tray Singing Room (Karaoke) (해피 투게더 – 쟁반 노래방 2004 ~ 2005) Co-Host
• KBS: Dangerous Invitation (위험한 초대 2003) Co-Host
• MBC: ! Exclamation Mark – Read a Book! Book! Book! (!느낌표 – 책!책!책을 읽읍시다!) Co-Host
• KBS2: Super TV Enjoy Sunday – Host Big Match (슈퍼TV 일요일은 즐거워 – MC 대격돌) Co-Host
• MBC: Achievable Saturday – Star Survival Donggeodongrak (Live and Fun Together) (목표달성 토요일 – 스타 서바이벌 동거동락 2000–2001) Host

Television stand-up comedian

• 2001 Open Gag Concert
• 2002 Jubilee Gag Concert
• 2002–03 G-Family Gag Concert
• 2004 Gag Family Concert

Television actor

• 2000–01 KBS Great Friends
• 2008 MBC Lee-San – cameo
• 2009 MBC The Queen of Assistance – interviewee/new employee of Queens Food (cameo)

Film actor

• 1994 Tyranno's Toenail
• 2008 Bee Movie (Korean dubbing as Barry B. Benson)
• 2009 White Tuft, the Little Beaver (Korean dubbing as narration & Owl)

Music videos actor

• 2004 Shinnago (신나고) – "Cause' You're Pretty" (이쁘니까)
• 2005 Kang Ho-Dong's carol album Oh Happy Day – "Look Out the Window"
• 2009 Future Liger (project group w/ Tiger JK, Tasha) – "Let's Dance"

Radio appearances

• 2000 [KBS] FM Date
• 2000 [MBC] FM Plus
• 2000 [MBC] Lee Hui-Jae's Starry Night (K-Pop Quiz)
• 2001 [MBC] Wishlist Songs Playing at Noon
• 2003 [MBC] A Date at 2 pm
• 2005 [MBC] Wishlist Songs Playing at Noon (Nutrition Tonic Talk Show with Kang Ho-Dong)
• 2005 [MBC] Defeat the Boredom
• 2005 [SBS] Haha's Ten Ten Club
• 2005 [SBS] All Thanks to You
• 2006 [MBC] Wishlist Songs Playing at Noon (Nutrition Tonic Talk Show No. 2 with Kang Ho-Dong)
• 2006 [MBC] Park Myung-Soo's Fun Fun Radio (Summer Special)
• 2006 [SBS] No Hong-Chul's Our Belated Youthful Days
• 2007 [MBC] Park Myung-Soo's Fun Fun Radio (Phone)
• 2007 [MBC] Park Myung-Soo's Fun Fun Radio (The Age of a Big Star)
• 2007 [MBC] Yoon Jong-Shin's A Date at 2 pm (Stalking)
• 2008 [MBC] Park Myung-Soo's A Date at 2 pm (Phone)
• 2008 [MBC] Park Kyung-Rim's Starry Night (Phone)
• 2009 [SBS] Song Eun-Eee, Shin Bong-Suns' Dong Go Dong Rak (with Noh Hong-cheol)

Discography

Single

• 2006 "All You Need Is Love" – with Infinite Challenge members
• 2007 "If I Do It or Not" (하나마나송) – with Noh Hong-cheol
• 2007 "Fascination of Samba" (삼바의 매력)- a part of Infinite Challenge Song Festival (강변북로 가요제)
• 2009 "The Family's Day" (패밀리의 하루) – with Family Outing members
• 2009 "Let's Dance" – a part of Infinite Challenge Olympic Road Duet Song Festival with Tiger JK, Tasha (올림픽대로 듀엣 가요제)

Awards

• 1991 Inaugural KBS College Student Gag Competition
• 2003 Best TV Presenter, KBS Entertainment Award
• 2003 Best Excellence Award in show/variety category, MBC Entertainment Award
• 2005 Grand Award, KBS Entertainment Award
• 2006 Best TV MC, 18th Korean Broadcast Producers' Award
• 2006 Awarded in TV Entertainment, 42nd Baeksang Arts Award
• 2006 'Speech Award' from Blue Media
• 2006 Grand Award, MBC Entertainment Award
• 2007 Grand Award, MBC Entertainment Award (with Infinite Challenge members)
• 2008 Mnet 20's Choice Awards (Variety Star Category)
• 2008 Grand Award, SBS Entertainment Award
• 2009 Grand Award, MBC Entertainment Award
• 2009 Grand Award, SBS Entertainment Award (with Lee Hyo-ri)
• 2010 Grand Award, MBC Entertainment Award
• 2011 MC Award, MBC Entertainment Award
• 2011 Grand Award, SBS Entertainment Award

Commercials

• 1998 OB Lager Beer
• 2000 New Century I-Touch 017
• 2002 Bando Sports
• 2003 Gold Feel
• 2007 Shinhan
• 2007 NeNe Chicken
• 2007 TG Sambo Computer
• 2007 TG Sambo Computer – LUON Crystal
• 2008 Shinhan Group (2nd)
• 2008 NeNe Chicken (2nd)
• 2008 S-Oil
• 2009 Giordano
• 2009 NeNe Chicken (3rd)
• 2009 Shinhan Group (3rd)
• 2010 ABC Mart

Other Experiences

• 2007 S/S SFAA Seoul Collection Lee Sang-Bong Fashion Show
• 2007 10th Super Korea Cup IDSF Youth Open Dance Sports (Amateur) Jive
• 2008 Participant of Seoul Design Olympic
• 2008 Aerobic 6-Person National Games Event

External links

• Yoo Jae-Seok – KBS World
• Yoo Jae-Seok – Han Cinema