Jang Dong-min reveals long-standing rivalry with friend Yoo Sang-moo

Broadcaster Jang Dong-min revealed on a TEO YouTube video released on the 10th that he and Yoo Sang-moo have maintained a competitive rivalry since their university days. While Jang described himself as a strategist who runs 100 simulations for every situation, Shindong noted that Yoo has previously dismissed these claims of genius.

Broadcaster Jang Dong-min has revealed a unique rivalry with his close friend Yoo Sang-moo, who has not been seen frequently on television recently. The discussion arose when cast members expressed admiration for Jang's ability to excel in survival programs, leading to an anecdote where Yoo offered an unexpected rebuttal. The two have maintained a peculiar competitive relationship since their university days.

On the 10th, a video titled "A Gathering of Representatives from The Genius, The Great Escape, and High School Mystery Club" was released on the YouTube channel TEO. During the video, Jang Dong-min identified thorough pre-simulation as his primary strength in survival programs. Rather than relying solely on momentary judgment or quick thinking, he explained that he builds strategies by assuming various scenarios and predicting the movements of opponents before filming begins.

"I usually run simulations 100 times for every situation," Jang stated. "While I respect the other players, even while everyone is getting close during the filming, I have to run simulations like, 'I should do this with this person at this time.'" He added that Kwak Beom was busy doing Im Chang-jung impersonations instead, which drew laughter from the group. His comments highlighted a competitive nature that involves planning strategies even during social bonding time.

Listening to this, Shindong expressed admiration for Jang's extraordinary abilities. Shindong highly evaluated Jang's competitiveness on survival stages, noting, "If you think about it, Dong-min hyung beats everyone, including people from Seoul National University, KAIST, and those working at prominent companies." He suggested it was remarkable how Jang's judgment and strategic thinking hold up even against participants with high academic backgrounds or professional expertise.

Jang Do-yeon also shared an anecdote supporting Jang's abilities. She mentioned asking Yoo Se-yoon whether Jang's survival skills had improved suddenly at some point or if he was always talented and juniors had only recently realized it. At the time, Yoo Se-yoon reportedly evaluated Jang as an "original genius" and explained that he has the ability to remember things like a picture.

At this point, Shindong brought up an unexpected person. "I met Yoo Sang-moo hyung not long ago. When I asked him, he said it was all lies," Shindong revealed. As the anecdote regarding Yoo Sang-moo's disagreement with the claims of Jang's genius brain and strategic ability was shared, Jang Dong-min immediately launched a counterattack.

"Yoo Sang-moo just doesn't want to admit it. In university, no matter what we did, it was always Yoo Sang-moo versus Jang Dong-min," Jang said. "That is why Sang-moo always thinks of me as an enemy." He interpreted Yoo's assessment not as a simple denial, but as an extension of a long-standing competitive spirit. The explanation that the two were compared in everything since their university days suggested a rivalry as intense as their long friendship.

When Jang Do-yeon asked about their outstanding intellect and ability to read people, Jang Dong-min shared a past anecdote involving Shindong. He confessed, "Since our 20s, Shindong and I have often talked about how we 'got taken in again' when we drank alcohol." He suggested that despite thinking he judges situations well, there have been moments where he was deceived or harmed by people unexpectedly.

Shindong explained that confidence can sometimes cloud judgment. "I think people who think they know everything are the ones who get easily scammed," Shindong said, citing an example of investing in promising stock information with the conviction that it must be correct, only to suffer losses. He added, "Because I trust myself too much, there are many times when I am taken in in reverse."

Jang Dong-min and Yoo Sang-moo are colleagues who have maintained a connection in the broadcasting industry for a long time as members of the 19th recruitment class of KBS comedians. As Jang's overwhelming competitive side in survival programs and his rivalry with Yoo Sang-moo since university were revealed, the long friendship and rivalry between the two have regained public interest.

Read the original (Korean)