'Gag Concert's YouTube channel has surpassed 1 million subscribers.
KBS2’s 'Gag Concert' announced on September 30 that its official YouTube channel crossed the 1 million subscriber mark on the 27th. This achievement was reached in less than two years since the show resumed broadcast in November 2023, marking the shortest time to reach the milestone among single-program channels.
After returning from a hiatus of approximately three and a half years, 'Gag Concert' has been broadening its connection with viewers by utilizing both TV broadcasting and YouTube simultaneously. Immediately after the broadcast ends, the show uploads replays of individual segments, as well as uncensored versions that couldn't be included due to scheduling constraints. The uncensored versions, in particular, include scenes that were cut from the broadcast, drawing reactions such as, "I thought it was cut because the content was too strong," or "Oh, that's why it couldn't air on TV."
The ability to view scenes restricted by broadcast limitations online has served as a key differentiator, significantly boosting the channel's growth.
The growth in viewership is also remarkable. As of the 29th, the cumulative view count is approximately 2.9 billion. It recorded 1.15 billion views in 2024 alone, and in the first nine months of this year, it has already exceeded 1.65 billion views. This sustained interest from users is a result of maximizing online exposure, despite the show being broadcast only once a week.
Individual video performance is also noteworthy. Among the full segment videos, 'How About Defconn?' recorded the highest view count at 2.8 million. This year, the three-letter segment of 'A Song You Know' garnered a favorable response, reaching 1.28 million views. Short-form videos, or Shorts, which are repurposed clips, elicited an even greater reaction. The video 'Why Are You Here?', which captures the reactions of women at a restaurant when a villain actor orders udon noodles, has racked up 18.7 million views, making it the most-watched video across the entire channel.
The production team plans to regularly introduce YouTube-exclusive segments going forward. The strategy is to deliver diverse forms of comedy by releasing skits online that could not be performed on stage due to airtime or censorship issues. By doing this, they aim to strengthen the complementary structure between the broadcast and YouTube, further expanding their reach to viewers.
The Gag Concert production team stated, "We were able to achieve 1 million YouTube subscribers thanks to the love of our viewers," adding, "We will continue to come back with even more entertaining content."
First broadcast in 1999, 'Gag Concert' long represented South Korea's open comedy stage, taking responsibility for the Sunday nights of its viewers. It was hugely popular, creating countless segments and catchphrases, but as new media like YouTube developed and the way people consumed humor changed, the show went off the air in June 2020, amidst the shifting trend. Subsequently, as online content prioritizing quick, short entertainment gained traction, the primary stage for comedy gradually shifted.
Returning in November 2023 after a three-and-a-half-year break, 'Gag Concert' is delivering laughter to viewers by running parallel with its TV broadcast and YouTube channel. It has grown rapidly since its revival, drawing in not only viewers who had long awaited its return but also the generation that consumes content primarily online, and its achievement of 1 million YouTube subscribers marks a further expansion of its position.
Gag Concert airs every Sunday at 10:45 PM KST on KBS2.
SEE ALSO: HUNTR/X from 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' to perform live on 'The Tonight Show'
SHARE
