Jang Hang-jun exposes Girls' Generation Yuri's past attitude

Director Jang Hang-jun showcased his signature unfiltered wit while reminiscing about his first meeting with Girls' Generation's Yuri. He revealed how Yuri used to ignore his questions in the past, leading to a late-blooming sense of camaraderie between the two that brought laughter to the studio.

On the episode of KBS2's 'Happy Together: Glad We're Not Alone' aired on the 7th, Yuri appeared as a special MC. During the broadcast, Jang revealed an unexpected connection with Yuri, stating, "I met Yuri in Jeju Island and had a drink together," confirming their friendship.

In response, Yuri recalled the moment she first met Jang. "Right before 'The King's Warden,' I happened to meet the team members, and back then, I really didn't know things would turn out like this," Yuri said, adding, "Now, he's become a bit difficult to deal with," which made Jang laugh.

Yoon Jong-shin, observing the past relationship between the two, added, "Back then, Yuri treated him a bit dismissively."

When Yoo Jae Suk asked, "Did you just think he was a director who does variety shows?" Jang brought up the situation as if he had been waiting for the chance.

"Back then, even when I asked Yuri questions, she wouldn't answer. I wondered, 'How could this be possible?'"

Laughter erupted in the studio at Jang's revelation. However, rather than denying it, Yuri played along by saying, "Now, he's become a bit difficult," creating a pleasant and humorous atmosphere.

It turns out that Yuri, who once viewed Jang as insignificant, has now become someone who can exchange jokes with him. Jang also chose to use the anecdote as variety show material rather than treating it as a serious grievance, successfully drawing laughter.

Furthermore, ahead of the audition judging, Jang subtly requested help from Yuri.

He told Yuri, "What I want to ask is for you to look upon my opinions positively," while lamenting, "Yoon Jong-shin is completely arbitrary."

Hearing this, Yoo Jae Suk joined in, saying, "I'm not joking, but he acts so cocky just because he's done a lot of audition judging," turning the scene into a sea of laughter.

Jang's candid remarks are drawing even more attention as his past comments regarding actor Jung Jun-won have resurfaced.

Last September, on the YouTube channel 'VIVO TV,' a scene was released where actor Bae Je-gi attempted to call Jung Jun-won. At the time, Jung revealed that he had auditioned for a work directed by Jang but was not ultimately cast.

When later asked why he didn't cast Jung, Jang replied, "That person lacked manners. He was rude. His acting is 100 points, but his etiquette is 40 points."

However, those remarks were jokes made within a variety show context. Song Eun-i stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "It was a story told to be funny, so I hope there are no misunderstandings," and Jang also drew a line by stating, "It's a joke."

However, as Jung's attitude during his recent appearance on MBC's 'Hangout with Yoo' became a subject of controversy, Jang's past remarks have been brought back into the spotlight.

As online criticisms emerged regarding Jung appearing somewhat insincere during the broadcast, some reactions suggested that Jang's past comments about 'manners' and 'etiquette' might actually be connected to the real situation.

Of course, since Jang's remarks at the time were conveyed as variety show jokes, it is difficult to conclude a direct connection to the recent controversy.

Rather, what draws attention in this broadcast is Jang's way of navigating subtle human relationships. He turns an anecdote about feeling slighted by Yuri—who wouldn't answer his questions in the past—into laughter, and even utilizes his own image as a 'variety show director' as material.

Jang's unique way of speaking is closer to exaggerating and flipping small past episodes to show the 'temperature' of a relationship rather than attacking the other person.

Ultimately, the fun of this broadcast lay not in 'who exposed whom,' but in the changing positions and relationships of people as time passes. Yuri, who did not find Jang difficult in the past, has now become someone who can banter with him, and Jang himself used that change as a source of laughter.

As time passes, people's positions and the distance in their relationships change. The reason the past anecdote between Jang and Yuri provided laughter was precisely due to that 'reversal of relationship.'