OMG it's creepy and sad to see JGS completely left out from the show! And I'm not even JGS's fan...
Korean netizens and the whole entertainment industry must be sick!

I think it must be JGS who requested to be taken out. He did hint at it - that he did not want his fans to see him in it... sans make up and all. Imo, he did look terrible. The tax scandal just gave added excuse. The netizens may know more than we do or probably someone in the know got pissed off as well by this kind of face-saving 'request'. His tax worries would be least compared to fans falling out of love with him in his terrible state.

:(

it's a pity he was so completely edited out of it, because the show did feel a little chopped up. yet it STILL managed to be so entertaining, which was probably pure na pd's touch.

i don't know if it's because i already knew jang had been edited out and therefore was watching with a more critical eye, but some of the footage did look odd. i know nothing about this stuff, but the picture seemed weirdly cropped in a few scenes, and in some instances, the footage looked fuzzier than usual because it was cropped/zoomed in to focus on 2 people out of the original three. i don't know any film lingo so forgive my clumsy description.

i'm glad you brought up jang's negative public image, because i'd been super curious as to why. i'd had no idea. i personally don't care for him as an actor, but i've never disliked him. even my mom mentioned how all the ajumma netizens were ragging on him on the internet forum she frequents. does anyone know precisely WHY he might be so hated? (my mom says she started hating him when he started wearing makeup LOL)

i mean, as far as i know, he's never had any serious controversies prior to this. apparently he's also quite wealthy and i never quite grasped just how. acting wise i think he only has a handful of domestic hits, if even that, and i never received the impression that he was ever as huge a cf star like kim soo-hyun or lee min-ho are, though i know he's filmed a fair few. it's my impression that he has considerable overseas popularity (though in exactly which countries i'm a bit hazy), and that he also held some concerts as well? apparently concerts are the big moneymaker for singers, so did the bulk of his money come from these factors?

anyway, that's just my perception of him. i hadn't any idea his tax scandal had elicited such negative netizen reactions, but if they really were as severe as you say, then i guess i can understand why he was edited out. and i wonder if na pd just wanted to play it safe. i'm happy for him that he has such a positive image, but you just never know. he's so successful right now, and success like that can breed envy and resent. one slip is all it takes for those who resent him to use that to turn others against him as well. just my two cents.

i wonder if they're just cutting straight to ho-joon's episodes next week, and giving up on everything they've filmed in between?

Oppa and Chilbongie bromance? Where to I sign a petition to make it happen? One of my biggest peeves about AM 1994 is that horrible passive hostility between the two equally great characters. I would love to see them act super friendly with each other in real life.

"Just think of all the wounds it would heal if we got to see Oppa and Chilbongie being bros!" - TRUE! PLS MAKE IT HAPPEN, NA PD!

does anyone know where the fishing village is available in eng sub?
I'm now curious to check it out. I like Cha Seung won, never been a fan of jang geun seok.
More excited about Sohn Ho Joon joining the show

That's such a good point about the editing! I've been edited on Korean TV before and it's seriously an art. I have nothing but awe (and no small amount of fear) into what editing goes on these programs.

From what I've seen, there is definitely a certain amount of consideration towards face-saving that goes on, and that's why the gag-men make the big bucks- they take all the hits so no one else has to.

Korean netizens can go nuts over anything, but there's also a lot of nonsensical forgiveness. That recent drunk driving scandal? I know that comedian is conscientious and takes his actions more seriously than anyone on the street that I've talked to. Most people were more upset that he took on more than the basic consequences for his actions and quit his shows.

But if someone was guilty of tax evasion? GET OUT GO HATE YOU BYE!

It used to mystify me until I moved here and saw just how many speeding cars run red lights in Cheongdam and Apgujeong. The cops are too scared to pull over a VIP. I can see why people are upset at that, when government and services budgets are being slashed and money is being spent for naught. I mean, one only need look at the massive government blame chain that caused the Sewol sinking to see how much money is wasted in corrupt, poorly trained, or incompetent regulatory and response offices.

I wish that Americans got this upset over tax evasion. We'd probably be much better off.

I'm totally with you, girls. It's crappy and creepy.

I think JGS enlisting now is a good idea. I like him and I like to see him on screen acting, but with the situation you described above, it's unlikely he'd get an acting job soon.

Btw, nothing netizens, especially k-netizens, say can surprise me anymore.

I was searching for JGS in the show but Na PD's editing is really amazing! He is totally out of the pic!

How can anyone be able to do that??? It's simply scary.

But another way to explain it was that JGS didn't make an impact in the show. He probably didn't talk or interact enough with the other casts to make it such a waste to lose him. And to be able to edit him out for an entire episode simply means he didn't stood out much!

Ho Joon didn't talk much in 3 meals a day and if Na PD didn't add such amazing subtitles for him, he would have simply be like the plants in the background. And if he had been in a scandal, he could also have been easily edited out.

I went from a Jang Geun Seok fan to someone terribly put off and disappointed long ago and I have since then said my share of heavy things about his career choices, on-the-job behavior and work persona, but this is just ridiculous. They asked him to be on the show, they started filming with him and they should have continued like so, at least until they saw how the ratings went. If they drop, fine, give him an exit slowly.

But to actually cut the man out of the frames is creepy, unprofessional, desperate and disrespectful to the guy and viewers alike. You are basically calling your viewers morons with a bad memory, who will be fooled about the guy's presence just because they can't see him. You're erasing a person's entire existence and that is far too offending for his crime. I hate the cheating rich as much as the next person, especially given the country I come from, but acting like tax evasion is as big a crime as murder and rape (going by the vitriol) is one huge case of overreacting.

But we know netizens can be jerks and mentally disturbed, especially when protected by anonymity. It's the production who are the real low ones here, because they should be professionals, they should be progressive and they should have some dignity and respect towards their business partnerships, which is what the contract they had with Jang was.

It is this raging attempt to convince people that mostly scripted stuff is real and their fight to eradicate anything which threatens that selling of delusion that are the most disturbing. It's a sick sick system. It's why I stay away from variety and reality television. If I want fiction, I'll watch fiction. If I want real life, I have my own. I don't need to see people pretending to be perfect versions of themselves for productions who panic if they cannot sell their beautiful lie.

This is such a perfect example of why I hate korean reality shows, they are so fake. I feel like everything is scripted, everyone has their fake personality and a loose script and they just follow along making silly jokes and people should believe it's all real. I can maybe imagine that koreans are used to that fakeness and either they know about it and like it, or they just don't know and imagine it's real, but I have a hard time understanding how people from other countries manage to like this.

wondering if db would be recapping this...?

Also, I miss your Variety Roulette. I really hope you'd cover Return of Superman. The Uhm-force is the newest edition to the show with his daughter. :D

I'm so disappointed for JGS. Its just horrible that mere weeks ago, he was in the press conference talking about his experiences and troubles. Now, it's like he was never there. I know how much hate he gets in SK, it's nothing new. But would it really have been so difficult if they at least showed a little of him? At least acknowledge he was a part of the cast at some point?

I wish I didn't have to say this but the whole scandal made me lose respect for Na PD, the production and tvN. The way the scandal was handled is particularly demoralizing for JGS. I wonder, if they just went along with the real cuts and eventually replaced him, would the ratings have been half, quarter? I doubt it. So why the nasty treatment?

I wish I could be happy for the show. The first/last time a variety broke 10% in premiere was Noonas, and that was a while ago. I'd have been proud of this. Now, it's really left a bitter taste. I can only hope JGS somehow can move on to better things.

Another proof that we have to be careful to base our judgements and/or opinions on what we see on TV or magazines... It is soooo now easy to bend the truth...

This translation is dedicated to everyone who wants to know the history behind the Korean backlash on JKS a few years back.

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Author: jks挚爱cri on Weibo

I stayed in Korea for 3 years from 2006 to 2009, the goddess I admired fell in love with him in 2006, hence I hated him since 2006 because he occupied the heart of my goddess!! *cry*….

But because of this, I started to pay attention to him. At that time I was in Korea, and he was criticized by all the Koreans, so later when I saw his tremendous success, I was very surprised. Although I don’t like him, although I hate him, I still have to admit that he is a tall, rich and handsome star worthy of admiration and to learn from.

His character is representative of most men of his generation or the character that most men admire (despite that many men don’t like him). Here I have to clarify, every man (tall, rich, handsome or not) has his self-esteem and dignity, and his dream. Don’t deny it, so long as you are a man, you are like every man who has their dream of being a hero. We can endure poverty, laugh at ourselves for being short, ugly and poor, see our goddesses being snatched away, we can do without our shame, but we all have our dignity and dream – we value it even more, because this is all that we have (a little literary, but the truth in our heart). But he – his dignity and dream were trampled on and laughed at by all Koreans.

Next I’m going to describe his experiences, this experience is what every man should respect. Because I have lived in Korea for 3 years, what I describe next is what I have seen personally.

In 2006, almost all the Korean women were attracted to him through one drama. That year, he was only 18 years old.

This drama had a star-studded cast, and he was not the lead character. But he, a child only 18 years old, snatched the limelight from the other stars. Possessing the face of an innocent child, he acted the role of an obedient and kind son of a rich man. That night on which his character died in the drama, this kind of comment appeared on the internet: “Korean women are all crying.” (I have not watched this drama, but this kind of comment did appear on the internet the night his character died.)

I have lived in Korea for 3 years, and actually, Korea is more traditional than China sometimes. No matter whether it is the ancient Joseon or the Korea today, certain traditions could not be changed.

Korean tradition is, children must be obedient, listen to adults and be sensible. Because of the character he acted in and his appearance and age, he became an obedient child in the eyes of Korean women, he became their darling pet. All the Korean people started to praise him; they saw him as an obedient child, praised him for his obedience, his innocent smile, his handsome looks, his youth, his acting and his professionalism, his sincerity towards people etc. The Koreans generously gave him a nickname “Perfect Man” (completely...

Reminds me of how MC Mong was edited out in the 1N2D (though I think, he wasn't edited out completely). Probably PD Na learnt from that experience.

Interesting. I didn't know either that JGS was harshly criticized by netizens with respect to this tax issue. Are the critics more from the Korean side? I can't read Korean comments, but I have a feeling that the international comments on the show are full of the JGS pictures and supportive words.

I think the situation was difficult and requiring immediate reactions for both the producers and JGS sides. And we've got a chance to observe some ways of dealing with critical situations in the given circumstances in the given society. In the end we have what we have.

But politics aside I've actually liked the show a lot. Apart from some awkward parts with the third plate / glass / hat / arm / voice here and there it was an endearing atmosphere and I liked both charismatic CSW and the good-hearted ajeossi YHJ. And the new puppy Sanche :) But also the whole feel of the remote fishing village presented in a light-hearted way.

Although I didn't understand many things without the subtitles, but for me it was more interesting to watch than the first season. Probably because the conditions here were more critical. I am looking forward for the next episode.

What do you guys actually think about the content of the show? Did you like it?

My thoughts exactly.

HAHAH why does this remind me of the drama Pinocchio :) How the media just build on nonsense like a train that has no specific detestation.. keep on going and going and going...

The same thing happens all over world in today's media.. We receive Information so fast that we don't have time to processes it before some new information is presented to us which eventually lead to that the truth gets buried in pile of sh#¤t... Therefore most of us human tend to follow the most popular outcome or voices without even knowing the entire story so we don't feel left out...

I hope jks will file a complaint with the government's office of the ombudsman and/or privacy commissioner. He has a case and he can win this one.

With the new TV ratings system into the scene which take into consideration the views from smart devices , VOD's & IPTV along with their previous system of 4000 households rating techniques...there's no surprise as to why the ratings were good.
Regardless atleast the team must be happy with the results, good for them and everyone who work for the show. But..... Hasn't JGS worked equally hard just like everyone else for the show ?

All the happenings are making me feel terrible not just for JGS but for every korean artist out there who is pressured by their society to be this god like flawless human beings , i'm now pretty sure that many of them put a fake image just to survive but wondering how many of them are like that? We will never know.

Tbh. i dont like how he manipulates shows so much.tbh i guess i dont like how all variety/reality shows arent reality but manipilation and scripted a lot of the time.
when i dont think about it too much it seems fine and i find i can enjoy shows despite knowing most things are just semi scripted or manipulated to milk the same cow and jokes or image that ppl like seeing.
But when i am reminded of how its real but not real it kinda puts me off watching.
I guess its cos i havecertain expectations to be entertained in certain ways when watching as well and im feustrated at myself for being like the thousands who also watch for the same superficial reasons.
ehh. but Na PD is super good at manipulating shows to no end and i dont like the degree to which he does it.
Its funny but definitely there have been times when i felt he's trying to fit a certain concept or rapport into something that doesnt fit it properly.

also. I still cant get over how quick they dumped Jang as well. I dont particularly care about Jang as a celebrity or actor but it's just kinda horrific how Na PD and the team were so quick to almost appease and treat the crowds to what they wanted.
It feels all backwards and too close to the unpleasant human traits that we all have to not want to be mixed with something that could do harm even if it means completely ditching another person and completely disregard another human In such a blatant way.

ahhh and thisis why i am so conflicted about variety watching and should just bugger off from watching and commenting on it. :/

I was quite surprised at the vitriolic, slanderous comments from the Korean press and citizens against internationally respected, Korean Super Star, Jang Keun Suk. We all know that entertainers hire accountants to prepare their taxes. When an error arises through no fault of the client, outstanding taxes and fine are paid. The tax department already stated it was not intentional by JKS and they were satisfied. It was not Income Tax Evasion, as the press wrote, to smear him. I understand there were others investigated, but only their numbers were published not their names. Could they have big Entertainment Mangers backing them? Why victimize JKS in the press just before a new show was coming out? We know entertainment companies fear him. They can't control him or make money from him, so they try to destroy him through paying reporters to destroy his credibility. This is quite obvious to the international community. Do Korean citizens realize how much revenue JKS brings into Korea. He only uses Korean manufacturers to produce his good which are sold worldwide. All other celebs goods are outsourced to other countries because it's cheaper. He employs Koreans in his restaurant in Japan. His international following is huge we study Hangul, come to Korean to see its beauty, enjoy the food, spend money in your hotels, taxis, restaurants, airports all because of his world appeal, how well JKS speaks of his Korea and his Korean people. Therefore, when he was cut from a tvN show, which he clearly didn't need to do, but accepted because of director, PD, the world was shocked. Doesn't Korea value one of their precious sons who gives back to the poor and his University so generously? Jang Keun Suk, shines a light on Korea through his celebrity. That light has dimmed in the eyes of the world. If you have a large mirror, please look into it and see if you like who you are?

I wrote 2 comments and both came back error. Do you not want to hear an American point of view on how international star Jang Keun Suk was treated by his own people. The vitriolic, slanderous press and vicious comments by citizens is seen worldwide. The written word is visible to all. Korea needs to pick up a mirror and take a long look at itself, are you happy with yourself and what you see.
Jang Keun Suk is a valued, precious person to his family, friends and international supporters. The light has dimmed on my view of Korea and its people. We come to Korea because of JKS and how well he speaks of his country, its beauty and food. He produces all his goods in Korea although it is more expensive he does it to give jobs to Korean manufacturers. All other celebs outsource their goods. He is admired and respected. Who were the other celebrities that were investigated, only numbers appeared. Suspicious! Everyone knows what Korean Entertainment Management is like, pay off reporters for good press and threaten TV stations. Korea may not value your precious son, but the international community respects him for his generosity of spirit and a courageous young man following his dream.