Lee Yi Kyung praises variety show industry: "It takes 3-4 years to make a film, but a variety show airs every week"

Actor Lee Yi Kyung expressed his deep respect for variety show professionals, highlighting the harsh production conditions they endure. As the Best Male Entertainer winner at the 2024 MBC Entertainment Awards, he delivered a speech that both criticized and shed light on the challenges faced by the variety industry, leaving a lasting impression.

On January 28th KST, Lee Yi Kyung was named Best Male Entertainer at the 2024 MBC Entertainment Awards. Recognized for his contributions to 'Hangout With Yoo,' his win was met with widespread agreement despite strong competition.

As he took the stage in surprise, he introduced himself by saying, "I'm Lee Yi Kyung, whose acceptance speeches make more headlines than the awards themselves," raising expectations for another memorable speech. True to form, instead of delivering the usual thank-yous, he skipped formalities and went straight to hard-hitting truths.

Lee Yi Kyung began by reflecting on his recent film, 'Hitman 2,' which took years to complete. He emphasized, "A movie like 'Hitman 2' takes 3-4 years from pre-production to release. It takes 120 minutes to make a film, and dramas are similar. But in Korea, variety shows produce over an hour of content every single week. It still amazes me."

He continued, "I've visited editing rooms, and the production team doesn’t even get to go home. They work tirelessly. In their hearts, they also carry figures like PD Na Young Seok and PD Kim Tae Ho," acknowledging the grueling nature of variety show production compared to other entertainment fields.

For real-variety programs like 'Hangout With Yoo,' which change themes every week, the situation is even more intense. Lee Yi Kyung revealed, "I don’t even know what we’re filming for 'Hangout With Yoo' tomorrow or the day after. They don’t tell us. We film, and sometimes they cut everything if it’s not funny. Once again, I just want to say how incredible the variety industry is."

In reality, 'Hangout With Yoo' follows a brutal production schedule. According to reports, the weekly cycle consists of a Wednesday planning meeting, Thursday filming, and Saturday broadcast—a three-day turnaround. Despite continuous research and brainstorming, the core production process happens in less than four days, a routine that has persisted for years.

Other variety shows are no different. At best, some follow a biweekly schedule, while others record weekly but film enough footage for two episodes at once. Lee Yi Kyung’s speech was not just an observation but a plea for understanding regarding the tight, high-pressure schedules variety show professionals endure.

He concluded with a request to viewers: "I hope the audience can watch with a bit more patience and generosity. It would help if we could work with a little more peace of mind."

Despite the weight of his speech, the 'Hangout With Yoo' cast lightened the mood. Joo Woojae and Park Jinju playfully pretended to yawn, teasing their close friend, leading to laughter on set. While the moment ended on a lighthearted note, the issues raised by Lee Yi Kyung remain relevant.

His remarks will likely resonate with fans as he continues his journey in 'Hangout With Yoo' and its spin-off, 'Hyung, What Are You Doing?'

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