Yoo Jae Suk's VVIP card sparks laughter on 'Hangout with Yoo'

In the 345th episode of the MBC variety show 'Hangout with Yoo' aired on September 5, a 'Money's Warfare' special took place in Jeonju featuring Yunho and Kwak Beom. The members visited a golfwear store operated by Kwak Beom's mother, aiming to simultaneously show filial piety by shopping for parents and boosting the store's sales.

The most eye-catching scene of the day occurred during the payment process. When Yoo Jae Suk, who was the last to pay, handed over his card, Kwak Beom's mother held it and remarked, "The card is heavy. It's definitely heavy because you have so much money." Adding that the other members' cards felt light by comparison, Yoo Jae Suk was left flustered by the unexpected direct hit.

Yoo Jae Suk laughed and tried to dissuade her, asking, "Do you really need to say things like that?" but Kwak Beom's mother expressed her fascination, saying, "This is the first time I've seen a card like this." At this, Joo Woo-jae explained, "This is a card held by the top 0.1% of the Republic of Korea," prompting Kwak Beom's mother to hand the card back to her son, saying, "You should earn money and carry something like this too."

Yoo Jae Suk's card soon circulated among the cast like a sort of 'sacred relic.' The members took turns holding the card, reacting with exaggerated motions as if it were a heavy object, and Kwak Beom added to the laughter by quipping, "It's like Excalibur. Only those who are capable should hold it."

The reason this scene resonated on broadcast is not merely due to the rarity of a high-end card. For a long time, wealth has not been an image prominently displayed by Yoo Jae Suk. Having entered the broadcasting industry after the 1991 KBS University Comedy Festival, Yoo Jae Suk established himself as a top-tier MC after enduring long periods of obscurity. While he has been considered the central axis of Korean variety shows by leading long-running programs such as 'Infinite Challenge,' 'Running Man,' 'You Quiz on the Block,' and 'Hangout with Yoo,' he is a figure known to the public for his frugal and humble attitude rather than luxury or overconsumption.

Therefore, the VVIP card appearing in the hands of Yoo Jae Suk creates a striking contrast. In the broadcast, it was described as an ultra-premium card with an annual fee in the range of 3 million won, targeting a very small number of top-tier customers. However, since specific issuance criteria and benefits can vary depending on the product and timing, the figures mentioned on the broadcast should not be taken as absolute standards.

Ultimately, the laughter was driven not by the card itself, but by the 'unfamiliar combination of Yoo Jae Suk and the black card.' The image the public holds of Yoo Jae Suk is far removed from the conspicuous consumption symbolized by a card worth millions of won. Thus, the moment the cast treated a single plastic card like a legendary sword, the reality of a celebrity's economic success merged with variety show exaggeration to create a comedic moment.

Even while remaining at the top of the industry for a long time, Yoo Jae Suk has maintained a relationship with the public without actively flaunting his wealth. The card revealed that day drew interest not because it was a new revelation, but because the 'economic status of the Nation's MC,' which is usually kept private, was briefly revealed in physical form.

In the end, the true protagonists were not the black card, but Kwak Beom's mother, who remarked on its "weight," and Yoo Jae Suk, who responded with an awkward laugh. The card, intended to symbolize the weight of money, instead served to highlight Yoo Jae Suk's signature humble character.