Here's Why Yoo Yeon Seok Picked Shin Dong Yup Over Yoo Jae Suk

Actor Yoo Yeon Seok made a surprising confession during his appearance on SBS's My Little Old Boy, revealing that he would rather team up with veteran MC Shin Dong Yup than Korea's beloved national MC Yoo Jae Suk for a variety show project. The revelation had the entire studio in stitches and left fans buzzing about the unexpected choice.

Yoo appeared as a special MC on the March 8 broadcast to fulfill a ratings promise he made at the 2025 SBS Entertainment Awards. At the time, the actor pledged that if his drama When I'm Free exceeded a 5 percent viewership rating, he would appear on the network's highest-rated entertainment program. True to his word, the Hospital Playlist star kept the promise, earning a round of applause from the studio audience.

The Great MC Debate

When host Seo Jang Hoon asked Yoo to compare the two legendary MCs, the actor did not hold back. He quipped that Yoo Jae Suk is someone he meets both on set and off, whereas Shin Dong Yup is someone he has only ever met sitting down. The playful jab drew roaring laughter from the panel.

Taking the comparison further, Yoo confessed that he would love to do an outdoor variety program with Shin Dong Yup specifically, noting that the MC's laid-back style appeals to him. Shin Dong Yup fired back jokingly, saying he wanted to do something mischievous and daring together, sending the studio into chaos.

New Drama on the Horizon

Beyond the variety show fun, Yoo used the appearance to tease his upcoming SBS drama God and the Law Firm, set to premiere on March 13. Shin Dong Yup offered words of encouragement, noting that breaking 5 percent for a variety show is no easy feat, and crossing 10 percent for a drama is equally challenging — wishing the actor success on both fronts.

In a candid moment, Yoo also revealed that he once seriously considered getting a part-time job during a gap between projects, even mentioning that he holds a forklift license. The 42-year-old actor added that he is not anti-marriage and hopes to settle down in his 40s, a revelation that sparked excited reactions from the mother panelists.

The episode showcased a relaxed, witty side of Yoo Yeon Seok that fans rarely get to see, proving that the romance drama king has just as much charm off-screen as he does in front of the camera.