[Focus] 'Entertainment Daettugi' Yoo Jae-suk, Careful and Interesting OTT Moves

Netflix to Disney
Starring in 'The Zone' and 'Play You'
Growing Influence in the Online Market
"Quickly Responding to Young Generation's Needs"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk is actively responding to changes in the content market beyond the home TV screen. This time, he is taking on a full-fledged challenge by partnering with Disney.

Online video service (OTT) Disney Plus announced on the 3rd, during the announcement of upcoming domestic content for the Asia-Pacific region, that "we will present a new variety show 'The Zone: Survive to Live' by Yoo Jae-suk and PD Jo Hyo-jin."

'The Zone: Survive to Live' is a variety show starring Yoo Jae-suk, Lee Kwang-soo, and Yuri (Kwon Yuri) from the girl group Girls' Generation. The show is set in a virtual space that unfolds when the door opens, with the rule of "survive no matter what." The three MCs are determined to show different ways of enduring in various virtual spaces each episode.

PD Jo Hyo-jin, who has long collaborated with Yoo Jae-suk on popular variety shows such as 'Running Man,' 'Family Outing,' and 'X-Man,' is directing the show. Previously, Yoo Jae-suk and PD Jo worked together on three seasons of 'Busted!' on Netflix. Attention is focused on what kind of variety show the duo will present after moving their stage to Disney Plus.

PD Jo Hyo-jin, who consecutively released 'Busted!,' 'Together,' and 'From the New World' on Netflix, and Yoo Jae-suk, who started OTT content together, are expected to have sensed changes in the variety show market. More active participation on various platforms is anticipated in the future.

Lee Kwang-soo, who recently left 'Running Man' after running alongside Yoo Jae-suk for the past decade, joins the cast, raising expectations. Lee Kwang-soo has a solid fanbase in Southeast Asia and has demonstrated outstanding talent in variety shows, leading to high hopes for the synergy between the two.

Unfortunately, Disney Plus did not achieve as much success as expected with the 'Running Man' spin-off 'Runnin' Man Above the Runners.' It is expected to make a determined comeback through 'The Zone: Survive to Live.'

Photo by MBC

Yoo Jae-suk is taking on a new challenge by partnering with Kakao TV to communicate with viewers in real time through 'Play You.'

Kakao TV will conduct live broadcasts every week starting from the 15th through Yoo Jae-suk and the 'Play You' YouTube channel on Kakao TV. The mission results and the fun of trial and error will be edited into about 20 minutes of content and released afterward.

Viewers can check missions with Yoo Jae-suk in real time and participate through chat and voting. It is an interactive content where viewers become Yoo Jae-suk’s player and perform various missions as if playing a game.

PD Kim No-eun, who directed 'To You Project Sugar Man 2' and 'Knowing Bros,' will direct and collaborate with Yoo Jae-suk again.

Yoo Jae-suk appears in many variety shows on terrestrial and cable TV. A few years ago, this was seen as an effect of the production staff who worked with him in the past becoming independent and starting production companies or moving to OTT platforms. However, as the online content market rapidly grows and expands, this seems to be a strategic move considering that. Yoo Jae-suk likely felt the influence of the online market through shows like 'You Quiz on the Block' and 'Hangout with Yoo.'

Photo by MBC

This change was anticipated. Yoo Jae-suk showed a new path last July when he moved to Antenna. Kakao Entertainment signed a contract to acquire part of Antenna’s shares in May of that year. The news of Yoo Jae-suk’s transfer attracted industry attention.

An official from a production company said, "The status of terrestrial and cable variety shows is no longer what it used to be, and even the entertainment awards ceremonies no longer attract much attention. Also, many fellow entertainers appear in OTT content or run their own online channels, gaining popularity through web variety shows. Due to the nature of variety shows, they inevitably have to respond quickly to the needs of the younger generation."

He added, "Yoo Jae-suk seems to be moving cautiously while observing personnel shifts and industry trends. Domestic OTT companies are growing rapidly, and major overseas OTT companies are about to enter the domestic market, so competition in variety show content is expected to become even fiercer."