Yoo Jae Suk abandons walking rule due to 38°C heatwave

Yoo Jae Suk has decisively abandoned his usual principle of 'walking to move' in the face of a heatwave that overwhelms the perceived temperature. Although it was a distance that could have been covered in just 15 minutes, the streets were empty due to the temperature soaring to 38°C, leading him to ultimately choose the bus. It was a decision that considered not only filming efficiency but also the safety of the cast and staff.

On the SBS program 'Hangout with Yoo' broadcast on the 18th, actors Jung Hae-in and Heo Sung-tae, from the Netflix series 'This F***ing Love,' appeared and spent time with Yoo Jae Suk and Yoo Yeon Seok.

In the process of moving to the first 'Hangout Location' of the day, the production team and cast had to walk for about 15 minutes. Under normal circumstances, it would have been a distance manageable with a light walk, but the situation was different on this day.

The heatwave turned the movement itself into a burdensome schedule.

After stepping out onto the street, Yoo Jae Suk realized the intensity of the recent heatwave, saying, "It feels like it's getting hotter and hotter. In the past, it used to be 34°C when it got really hot in the summer."

After glancing around for a moment, he made a decisive call: "This is bad. This won't work. Let's choose another way."

It wasn't just the heat that caught his attention. Yoo noted, "It's not just us; we are the only people walking on the street."

Indeed, the surrounding roads and sidewalks were quieter than usual. The streets were so empty that it was difficult to find anyone walking other than Yoo's group.

Jung also pointed out the situation, saying, "I think it's because of the heatwave warning." Yoo Yeon Seok immediately suggested an alternative, saying, "Let's just take one bus stop," and the group decided to use public transportation instead of walking.

In the midst of this, Heo endured the sweltering heat by pulling out a beloved electric fan he received as a gift from an overseas fan. He added a moment of laughter to the scene by saying, "From Chiang Mai. Hello, Chiang Mai," while operating the fan.

As it happened, a bus arrived immediately, making the movement even easier. They only needed to travel two stops to reach their destination.

After boarding the bus, Yoo confessed, "This is so good. It's only 15 minutes, but I absolutely couldn't walk." Jung positively evaluated his decision, saying, "Hyung, that was a quick and good choice."

Yoo also mentioned the realistic difficulties he has felt while continuing outdoor filming every week.

He stated, "After filming every week, I realized this isn't right. It's not just us; the staff members are collapsing." This comment was not merely about the physical stamina of the performers, but also considered the health and safety of the production crew who must film outdoors for long periods.

In variety show filming, the movement routes of the cast are directly linked to the rhythm of the program, but in extreme heatwaves, safety must take priority above all else. Yoo's decision clearly demonstrated this realistic judgment.

However, after boarding the bus, another commotion occurred.

Yoo Yeon Seok suddenly said, "Huh? Is it the opposite direction?", feeling confused about the direction. Although he had earned the nickname 'Yoo-Navi' due to his usual ability to find his way easily, he experienced a momentary error in his navigation skills, perhaps due to the influence of the heatwave.

The situation was resolved when Jung quickly searched and confirmed the bus's direction of travel. Jung's sense of the local area, stemming from his experience living in Dongjak-gu for a long time, shone through in this moment of crisis.

The heatwave approaching 38°C changed even the familiar movement methods of a broadcast filming site. They had to choose a bus even for a distance that would have been sufficient in 15 minutes, people disappeared from the streets, and even a cast member skilled at finding directions experienced momentary confusion.

Yoo's choice to change the method of movement to suit the situation, rather than confronting the sweltering heat head-on, created small moments of laughter in the broadcast while also serving as a scene that shows how record-breaking heatwaves are changing everyday landscapes and outdoor filming environments.