Actor Yoo Seung Ho is taking on his first-ever fixed role in a variety show, marking a major career milestone 25 years after his debut.
On April 17, a press conference was held at Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, to introduce JTBC’s new reality variety show 'Confrontation! Pangbong Pungbong.'
The program features legendary comedians Lee Bong Won and Paeng Hyun Sook, who put their decades of restaurant-running experience to the test in a high-stakes culinary showdown. Set on a remote island abroad, each of them opens a restaurant—Bong’s Kitchen and Paeng’s Kitchen—and compete to win over travelers from around the world. The show is the latest project from PD Lee Jin Joo, known for Youn’s Kitchen, Transit Love, and Romantic Siblings, promising another fresh and engaging concept.
Paeng Hyun Sook, who has run a sundae soup restaurant in Namyangju for 20 years, and Lee Bong Won, who has operated a jjambbong eatery in Cheonan for 7 years, bring genuine passion and hard-earned grit to the series. Both have experienced ups and downs in business, and their resilience is expected to shine as they compete side by side.
Joining them as a part-time staff member is Yoo Seung Ho, who, despite not being known for comedy, will assist Paeng Hyun Sook and Choi Yang Rak with full dedication.
"This doesn’t mean I’ve always said no to variety shows," Yoo shared. "I just thought that witty, upbeat personalities were the right fit for variety, and I didn’t see myself that way. But PD Lee Jin Joo told me I didn’t have to be funny or say much—just work hard. That gave me the courage to try."
PD Lee explained her casting decision: “I saw Yoo Seung Ho on YouTube. He wasn’t trying to be funny, but he naturally had a charm. He’s considerate and has many qualities that viewers will like. I told him it’s okay not to be funny.”
'Confrontation! Pangbong Pungbong' premieres on JTBC on April 19 at 7:10 PM KST.
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