Cha Tae-hyun & Co. Explode with Laughter in tvN's 'Handsome Guys,' Topping Ratings

tvN's variety show 'Handsome Guys' delivered a hilarious and raw comedic experience, starring Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, Shin Seung-ho, and Oh Sang-wook.

The latest episode, which aired on the 18th, featured the cast members' desperate struggle during a 'fashion shortage' mission. Stripped of their stylish outfits and forced to spend the day in pajamas, their comical predicament resonated with viewers. The show secured the number one spot in its time slot among cable and terrestrial channels for the 2049 target demographic, both nationwide and in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea’s paid platform ratings. It also claimed the top position across all channels in the same demographic nationwide, continuing its upward trend.

After an extravagant, red-carpet-worthy suit opening, the members were met with the challenge of the 'fashion shortage life.' Their only provided items were a plain white t-shirt, casual pajamas, and flip-flops. Cha Tae-hyun and Oh Sang-wook, who received the 'red floral pajamas,' humorously protested, with one exclaiming, "This is inappropriate for broadcast," and the other, "It's smaller than my underwear."

The mission continued with games to win back clothing options. In a 'drink cola and hold your burp' challenge, Shin Seung-ho showed a particular fondness for the 'orangutan pajamas,' winning first place and securing his favorite. Meanwhile, Cha Tae-hyun, coming in last, had to don the 'red floral pajamas' again. He cleverly devised a plan to pretend to be a runner if he had to go out in public, leading to comical moments when he ventured onto the streets of Hongdae for lunch, denying his identity to passersby.

Another game, 'lower the rubber band to your chin using only facial muscles,' saw the members contorting their faces in a desperate bid for better attire. Cha Tae-hyun lamented, "Is my chin that prominent?" while Kim Dong-hyun conceded defeat early, stating his jawline made it impossible. Lee Yi-kyung emerged victorious, earning a pair of jeans and showcasing a dramatically boosted confidence upon changing.

The cast also visited the tvN headquarters for a meeting with the marketing team. During the discussion about the show potentially becoming a regular series, Lee Yi-kyung's surprised reaction to the idea of it not being regular already caused laughter. In a meeting with entertainment executives, Kim Dong-hyun, upon hearing that his low kicks boosted ratings, readily declared his willingness to perform one, even playfully delivering a low kick to Executive Director Kim Yu-gon, much to everyone's amusement.

As evening activities approached, including flower arranging and bowling club events, a second round of clothing acquisition commenced. Challenges like 'putting on pants quickly without using hands' and 'mouth soccer' ensued. Oh Sang-wook, who impressed with his lunges in a previous episode, once again demonstrated his lunge prowess to put on pants, solidifying his title as 'Lunge Sang-wook.' Lee Yi-kyung's 'wet cannon shot' in the mouth soccer game also provided significant laughs.

Ultimately, Cha Tae-hyun secured first place and a full outfit, with Oh Sang-wook and Kim Dong-hyun winning individual items. Cha Tae-hyun humorously declared himself the 'villain' of the fashion shortage, suggesting they stop there, adding another layer of comedy.

Following the broadcast, online communities and social media buzzed with positive reactions, with viewers praising the episode as "legendarily fun" and expressing strong desires for the show to be made a regular series.

'Handsome Guys' airs every Thursday at 8:40 PM on tvN.

Cha Tae-hyun debuted in 1997 after winning the Grand Prize at the KBS Super Talent Competition and has remained a beloved actor through numerous hit projects. Beyond acting, his wit and approachable personality have consistently brought joy to audiences through variety shows. In 'Handsome Guys,' he plays a key role in fostering chemistry among the cast members, significantly enhancing the program's entertainment value.