‘What Do You Do When You Play?’ held another audition.
The MBC entertainment program ‘What Do You Do When You Play?’ (directed by Kim Jin-yong, Jang Woo-sung, Jang Hyo-jong, Wang Jong-seok, written by Choi Hye-jung) aired an episode themed around the ‘1980s MBC Seoul Music Festival’ on the afternoon of the 26th.
On this day’s broadcast, Yoo Jae-suk transformed into Producer Yoo, and Haha became a writer.
Yoo Jae-suk looked over Haha’s fashion and pointed out, “Why does the writer’s outfit look like that? Are you a star? Why are you trying to stand out?” Haha responded, “I’m not trying to stand out; this is the trend these days,” expressing his grievance.
Haha also complained, “Please buy me a double deck (cassette player)! The broadcasting station is too stingy! I bought this with my own money!”
Hearing this, Yoo Jae-suk remarked, “Writer, focus on your work instead of trying to look good,” to which Haha retorted, “If it were 2025, I would sue you! Where do you get off saying that? Such things are unimaginable in the future!”
The two continued their rivalry. Yoo Jae-suk said, “I don’t have any hit programs, but as soon as I came in, the writer was trying too hard to look good. You should be working instead. If you don’t get along from the first day, we can’t work together! This program needs to succeed,” scolding Haha once again. Haha replied, “You’re so authoritative! I do my job well and look good too. I’m not late because I’m trying to look good; I went to Euljiro to gather materials! I went early and waited for an hour!” feeling wronged.
Despite this, as Yoo Jae-suk continued to get angry, Haha said, “Okay, I’ll apologize. You’re really sensitive,” and extended his hand first.
Yoo Jae-suk explained, “I submitted a proposal, and the program got approved. These days, music festivals are happening at broadcasting stations. It’s a boom. We will hold a music festival that includes awards. We have participants of all ages. Age, gender, region, and education don’t matter. And you can only participate with songs that were hits in the 1980s,” revealing the reason he called Haha. He continued, “Those who participate in the audition are doing it for 2025. There will be about 14 preliminary participants. They need to sing well, but they also need to match the 1980s sentiment. It will be hard to feel the 1980s sentiment in 2025,” he elaborated.
When Haha said, “It’s about rhythm and soul,” Yoo Jae-suk replied, “No! You can be selected based on what role you think you’ll play in our music festival,” announcing the music festival audition.
The first audition participant was a boy with a hula hoop. He chose ‘That’s My World’. After hearing his solid yet sweet singing, the two said, “He seems handsome just from his voice!” making everyone laugh. When Yoo Jae-suk gave a passing grade, Haha sarcastically remarked, “Oh, so he has what he has?” Yoo Jae-suk responded, “I’m better than Writer Haha. Do you know what I feel like right now? Like a cabbage master. I think if I cut Writer Haha’s hair, he would come back with a different wig,” causing everyone to burst into laughter.
The second participant, Third Han River Bridge, sang ‘Short Hair’. Yoo Jae-suk and Haha perked up and focused on her dreamy and emotional voice. Yoo Jae-suk applauded and said, “Writer Haha! This is why I’m doing the music festival. I want to find voices like this,” expressing his admiration.
After hearing Third Han River Bridge’s prepared song ‘To a Lady’, the two declared, “She’s first. We were worried if this song would suit a female vocalist, but she completely overturned our concerns with her skills,” giving her a passing grade.
The third participant, Nakwon Arcade, presented ‘The Stars Are Falling’. Yoo Jae-suk wondered, “That silhouette looks familiar, doesn’t it?” while looking at the shadow. Haha, listening to the song, questioned, “Isn’t this the original song?” in disbelief.
With Nakwon Arcade passing, the fourth participant, 63 Building, sang ‘Rain on the Glass’. While listening, Yoo Jae-suk and Haha pondered, “Is it Lee Kyung?” and laughed when Nakwon Arcade sang genuinely, saying, “This is too depressing. The song selection was wrong.” However, when Lee Kyung showcased his high notes, the two exclaimed, “Lee Kyung sings well,” expressing their admiration.
However, after the song ended, Yoo Jae-suk commented, “It’s a good song, but it’s different from the music festival we’re creating. I almost cried,” giving a harsh review and eliminating him.
The fifth participant, Pony, chose ‘Because I Love You’. While listening, Yoo Jae-suk tilted his head and said, “Why does it feel so lacking?” Haha remarked, “Woo-jae, Woo-jae! It smells like anchovy,” realizing it was Joo Woo-jae. After hearing the song, Haha questioned, “Can he really mix in? In the 1980s, bending was necessary, but there’s no bending,” eliminating Joo Woo-jae.
The sixth participant, Jamsugyo, chose ‘Don’t Leave Me’ and surprised the members with a tone that automatically evoked the 1980s sentiment. Yoo Jae-suk gave a passing grade, saying, “You understand the 1980s sentiment well.”
The seventh participant, New York Confectionery, showcased their singing ability with ‘Spinning’ and ‘Girl’. After listening to New York Confectionery’s song, the two said, “Her voice is pretty,” and “We need to take her with us,” passing her audition.
The eighth participant, Olympic Road, sang ‘To You Again’. Haha, after hearing her unique voice, exclaimed, “I think she can hit high notes incredibly well!” When she showcased her wide vocal range as expected, Haha said, “Her range is overflowing!” to which Yoo Jae-suk remarked that she didn’t seem like a singer, and Haha replied, “It can be like that because she embodies the 1980s sentiment.” However, when Yoo Jae-suk said, “No,” Haha sighed, asking, “How many times have I been right today?”
With the ninth participant, Sunduri, passing, the tenth participant, Daehan Theater, sang ‘Emotion Blues’. Upon hearing his voice, Yoo Jae-suk expressed disbelief, saying, “Isn’t that Jinseong?” When Jinseong’s unique vocal techniques were heard, Yoo Jae-suk exclaimed, “It’s definitely Jinseong. How do we judge this? We can’t evaluate him based on singing,” showing his confusion. Haha also said, “This person should be invited as a king for another special. It’s right to have him as a supporter,” eliminating him.
The eliminated Jinseong left a short message saying, “I hope you all work hard and succeed even without me. Yoo PD, Yoo San-seul, fighting!”
The eleventh participant, Midopa Department Store, chose ‘Love is Like Rain on the Window’. Upon hearing his moist tone, Yoo Jae-suk asked, “Who is this?” and speculated, “Did this person work out?” while looking at the silhouette. Yoo Jae-suk remarked, “Doesn’t he sound like Yang Soo-kyung? He sings well,” passing him.
The twelfth participant, Namsan Tower, showcased ‘Gwanghwamun Love Song’. After seeing his silhouette, the two were convinced, saying, “Isn’t he Mi-dal’s father?” After the song ended, Yoo Jae-suk evaluated, “It’s more of a 70s style than an 80s style? If I were casting as a PD for an 80s music festival, I would put this on hold.” On the other hand, Haha expressed a different opinion, saying, “As a writer, I think if we arrange it, it could show a different flavor.”
Pimatgol participated thirteenth with ‘Wind, Wind, Wind’. After hearing the song, Haha exclaimed, “This person is coming? Wow, it’s an honor! Just hearing the voice, it’s a genre,” unable to contain his excitement. Yoo Jae-suk also said, “This person has to be in,” giving a passing grade.
The last participant was Gongjak Sangga. He chose ‘I Loved That Pain’. As soon as he sang the first line, Haha and Yoo Jae-suk recognized it was Park Myung-soo, bursting into laughter and saying, “Why did this guy come out!” in disbelief. Upon seeing Park Myung-soo’s silhouette, Yoo Jae-suk remarked, “Why cover your face? Just from the silhouette, I can tell!” Haha added, “He doesn’t have a chin! His forehead is huge,” confidently asserting it was Park Myung-soo.
However, while listening to the song, Haha positively evaluated, “He doesn’t sing poorly.” As Park Myung-soo slightly revealed his face while singing, the two burst into laughter.
After the song ended, Yoo Jae-suk said, “No wonder Gongjak Sangga! This is MBC’s elite... I will put this on hold.” Haha also said, “I will put this on hold for fairness. And this person has been talking bad about us too much,” also putting it on hold.
MBC ‘What Do You Do When You Play?’ airs every Saturday at 6:30 PM.
[Seo Ye-ji, Star Today Guest Reporter]
