Ji Suk-jin recalls Yoo Jae Suk's rookie days: "He was intimidated on air"

Gathering at an officetel during their struggling rookie days

Ji Suk-jin recalled the period when he first met Yoo Jae Suk, noting the days when both were rookies with little to no work. According to Ji, the two used to meet and spend time near the Goryeo Officetel in Mapo. He revealed that back then, they were often short on money and would gather after receiving pocket money from their mothers, or occasionally visit nearby nightclubs with older colleagues who had more financial leeway. Ji shared a specific detail from that time, noting that because they lacked funds, they would order fruit platters at clubs and carefully pick at individual grapes to make them last.

Ji also commented on Yoo's demeanor at the time, stating, "He was intimidated whenever he was on air." He noted that while Yoo was fun and funny in private, people around him often felt he couldn't fully demonstrate his skills in front of the camera. In response, Yoo shared his perspective, recalling how his senior, Suhong, would recognize his potential for success and help him brainstorm ideas.

The 'Wangko' character on Running Man: A rejected role that changed his life

Yoo Jae Suk opened up about the struggles he faced during his early days on "Running Man." He said it was difficult to adapt to the program because he felt that participating primarily as a player made it hard to showcase his unique personality. In particular, when the "Wangko" character was assigned to him, Yoo revealed that he even told Ji Suk-jin he did not want to take on the role, as he felt a sense of resistance toward turning a physical characteristic into a comedic persona.

However, Yoo recalled that, in the end, that character setting was a life-changing choice. Ji Suk-jin agreed, noting that the character allowed Yoo to transform his career, suggesting that those past decisions led to his current success.

Yoo Jae Suk's dedication to self-management for his shows

Ji Suk-jin highlighted Yoo's thorough approach to self-management. He explained that Yoo's commitment to exercising, visiting dermatologists, and frequenting hair salons is all part of his effort to perform well on his programs. Yoo admitted to visiting hair salons regularly to maintain a neat and professional appearance.

Yoo also touched upon his recent reflections. He shared his personal thoughts on whether it is meaningful to unconditionally follow every trend or jump into the mainstream, emphasizing instead the value of spending more time with his family. Ji concluded by noting how deeply Yoo thinks about his work and the consistent effort he puts into maintaining his health through exercise.