Comedian Yang Sang-guk is seeing some mixed reactions to his “shouting” style on variety shows. While he has been making his presence known with a rough way of speaking and over-the-top reactions, many viewers are finding it more uncomfortable than funny. This has drawn attention to the stark contrast between him and Park Myung-soo, the original master of the shouting gag who has since become a voice of conviction.
Park Myung-soo previously built his own unique character through “shouting variety.” As the original, he was famous from his early debut for his character of suddenly getting angry and yelling. His unique comedy style caught people’s eyes back then. Seo Kyung-seok recalled that during their rookie days, he felt Park Myung-soo’s comedy would shine once he met the right era. He added, “Park Myung-soo was a very diligent person. Some called him a miser, but he spent money where it mattered and never wasted it,” noting that they used to say, “Even if his socks have holes, he never misses an event,” because he worked so hard at nightclub gigs.
In fact, today’s Park Myung-soo has evolved beyond a simple “shouting character.” He is now supported by the public for his honest remarks on social issues and relatable convictions. With his realistic advice on the radio, his ability to read the social mood, and a certain human touch that doesn’t cross the line, he has become a “character who isn’t hated even when he’s yelling.”
On the other hand, Yang Sang-guk has been using a similar “shouting tension” in recent variety shows, but the reaction is quite different. On a YouTube channel, he sparked an attitude controversy after telling senior Yoo Jae-suk, “I’ll scold you if you say it one more time.” He was criticized again after showering Kim Dong-hyun with comments like “You idiot” and “How do you even manage to be on TV?”
The reason viewers feel uncomfortable isn’t just because his voice is loud and strong. It’s because the direction of the comedy doesn’t feel like “tiki-taka” laughter shared with the other person, but rather looks like he is cornering or embarrassing a specific individual.
In the case of Kim Dong-hyun, he is actually older than Yang Sang-guk. Although he laughed it off throughout the broadcast, viewers reacted by wondering, “Why does he have to go that far?” Yang Sang-guk’s comment, “The idiot character should be done in moderation,” ended up coming back to haunt him, as he was the one who failed to moderate his own behavior.
Above all, public empathy is the most important factor. Park Myung-soo’s shouting felt like it contained basic respect and affection for the other person, eventually leading to self-deprecation and relatable humor. While Yang Sang-guk was recognized for his unique dialect character and skit skills on shows like “How Do You Play?”, many now feel that his excessive aggression and old-fashioned variety sense are too prominent.
Of course, Yang Sang-guk recently expressed his apology, stating, “I am sorry for causing discomfort. I will be careful in the future,” leading some to suggest that he shouldn’t be criticized too harshly.
Ultimately, there is a clear difference in how the public perceives “shouting variety.” We are in an era where courtesy, respect for others, and maintaining a relatable boundary are more important, even for the sake of laughter. Attention is now focused on how Yang Sang-guk will refine his character following this controversy.
