SNL Korea season 8 returns with Tak
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New crew members and for season 8 of “SNL Korea” pose during a press conference at Stanford Hotel Seoul in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Lee Se-young, Lee Soo-min, Tak Jae-hoon and Kwon Hyeok-su. / Courtesy of CJ E&M
By Kim Jae-heun
“Saturday Night Live (SNL) Korea,” a Korean version of NBC's long-running late-night sketch comedy show, returns for season 8, including singer-turned-entertainer Tak Jae-hoon as a new cast member. Tak appeared as a host in an episode of SNL Korea season 7 and his gift of gab led to his much-antcipated return this time.
“We expect the most from Tak for season 8,” said the show’s main producer Min Jin-ki during a press conference at Stanford Hotel Seoul in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, Wednesday.
“In the first half, we will keep our comedy sketches from the previous season led by Shin Dong-yup, Tak will take an emcee role in a new unscripted segment called Night Line and he will ad-lib throughout the live comedy show. We will send captions ahead of the segment and remind him that the success or failure of the day depends on Tak’s condition,” said Min.
Tak said he is well aware that SNL Korea offers more freedom than any other television comedy show in Korea and it goes well with his free-minded character. He also acknowledged that leading a talk show live entails a great burden on any host, as many of them make mistakes, but he will enjoy it as he always has.
Tak debuted as a singer in the 1990s, but enjoyed popularity as a TV show host with his talented ad-lib skills in the 2000s, becoming one of the brightest stars in the Korean entertainment scene and winning a KBS Entertainment Award in 2007.
However, he was caught for illegal gambling online in 2013 and the court sentenced him to six months in jail and a one-year suspension. In 2014, his wife filed a damage suit against three women she claimed were having affairs with Tak, and she and Tak got divorced.
For 27 months, the singer-turned-emcee disappeared from the small screen, taking time off for self-restraint and self-reflection. And this February, he made a successful comeback on cable channel Mnet’s new show “The God of Music,” reclaiming his popularity with his still-sharp improvisation skills.
Apart from Tak, SNL Korea season 8 features young singer and actress Lee Soo-min as a new cast member alongside three actors Kim So-hye, Lee Myung-hoon and Jang Do-yoon.
“SNL Korea” airs every Saturday at 9:15 p.m. on tvN. In the season premiere Saturday, the show invites Min-ah of Girl’s Day as host. The second episode will feature JYP Entertainment’s boy band 2PM.