Public opinion on comedian Yang Sang-guk is turning cold fast. Just two months ago, he was being rediscovered as a “variety blue chip,” so why is this seasoned rookie now being labeled as unlikeable?
On May 9, Yang Sang-guk’s unlikeable image grew even further. While appearing as a guest on tvN’s ‘Amazing Saturday,’ he became overly immersed in the games and lashed out at other cast members, leaving viewers feeling uncomfortable.
He got visibly angry at Kim Dong-hyun, who is two years his senior, for making a mistake. He also showed aggressive behavior, such as raising his hand or performing a roundhouse kick, instead of playing along with a skit planned by Kim Hae-jun. These were all moments where his “shouting” character came out.
This is why critics say his comedy is outdated. Comedy around the early 2000s often relied on hierarchies between seniors and juniors, where seniors publicly embarrassing or mocking juniors was seen as funny. However, today’s viewers no longer find that amusing. Instead, they feel uncomfortable and empathize with the person being targeted. This is exactly why Yang Sang-guk’s behavior toward Kim Hae-jun caused such a negative reaction.
The problem is that even if this is a scripted character for a variety show, viewers can’t simply laugh along because his comedy lacks even a gram of respect or humility.
In sketch-style variety shows, like the duo of Jung Jun-ha and Park Myung-soo in ‘Infinite Challenge,’ roles are clearly divided into “tankers” (the ones who take the hits) and “dealers” (the ones who deliver the hits). However, sticking to only one role is risky. “Dealers,” in particular, can easily be misunderstood as actually being unlikeable, so they must occasionally step down from their authority and act as the “tanker” to show respect and humility. This is why Park Myung-soo has remained loved despite his “shouting” character, and why “poison-tongued” Kim Gura occasionally uses self-deprecating humor to show humility.
The controversy over his personality after he told senior Yoo Jae-suk he would “scold” him on ‘Pinggyego’ isn’t just because he’s aggressive, but because of his stubbornness in maintaining the “dealer” role. Yang Sang-guk might believe this is why he’s sought after and a necessary concept for a unique character, but it’s disappointing to see him seem out of touch after being away from the spotlight for so long.
While his talent earned him the title of “variety blue chip,” the power to maintain that status comes from attitude. It’s more tragic for an entertainer to fail because of their attitude than their talent. Right now, Yang Sang-guk is standing precariously on the latter path.
