Kim Young-hee's 'Malja Grandma' Gets Solo Show 'Malja Show,' Promising Generational Empathy!

The beloved 'Communication King Malja Grandma' corner from KBS2's 'Gag Concert' is set to reborn as a standalone variety show titled 'Malja Show,' starring comedian Kim Young-hee and her partner Jung Bum-gyun.

The new show, premiering on the 13th at 10:40 PM KST, aims to be a generational empathy talk show where Kim Young-hee, embodying her iconic 'Malja Grandma' character, and Jung Bum-gyun address audience concerns with humor.

Despite its popularity, the original 'Malja Grandma' segment often faced limitations due to broadcast time constraints, with over half of the filmed content being edited out. While an uncensored YouTube version offered a glimpse, it couldn't fully capture the live atmosphere.

This desire to share more of the audience's stories and the unique appeal of the 'Malja Grandma' character, known for her blunt yet sincere advice, fueled the creation of 'Malja Show.' The character doesn't just offer comforting words but often scolds or admonishes audience members, yet her genuine intentions shine through, giving the character a strong competitive edge.

'Malja Show' will differentiate itself from the original corner by incorporating more of Kim Young-hee's personal life experiences. Instead of solely responding to audience dilemmas, Kim Young-hee will share her own life's ups and downs in a way that is both humorous and poignant, aiming for a two-way talk show format that provides laughter and comfort simultaneously.

The production team expressed their hope that 'Malja Show' will establish itself as a true generational empathy variety show, stating, "The public recognizes the sincerity within 'Malja Grandma's' scolding. This is her unique strength." The show hopes to be a space where laughter, empathy, and comfort coexist.

'Malja Show' premieres on the 13th at 10:40 PM KST, and audience applications are currently being accepted via the official 'Gag Concert' website.

Netizens expressed excitement, commenting, "Malja Grandma is finally getting her own show! I'm so looking forward to it," and "Kim Young-hee's signature frankness will likely bring great laughter and empathy." Many also vowed to tune in, with one fan saying, "I've been a fan since the Gag Concert days, I have to watch the premiere."