On October 10, the YouTube channel DdeunDdeun released a new episode of Pinggyego titled “The Mystery Game Is Just an Excuse,” featuring guests Song Eun Yi, Go Kyung Pyo, and BIBI.
During the episode, Song Eun Yi brought up Yoo Jae Suk‘s unexpected cancellation of filming for the SBS variety show Whenever Possible last month due to cold and flu-like symptoms. She recalled, “When I saw the news that Jae Suk was sick, I texted him, but he replied, ‘I’m completely fine.’”
Yoo Jae Suk admitted that the situation had surprised even him. “I was really shocked,” he said. “Normally, I go to filming even when I’m sick. But that day, my throat suddenly started hurting badly, and I had a slight fever. What worried me was the possibility that it might be COVID-19 or the flu.”
When Song Eun Yi pointed out that he had not been so ill that he was physically unable to get out of bed, Yoo Jae Suk agreed and explained why he had decided to cancel the recording. “That’s right. If I were just filming with the regular cast members, I could have gone to the hospital, received treatment, and continued if I felt better. But this time, we were supposed to meet ordinary applicants and travel around to different places, so I had no choice,” he explained.
The entertainer went on to express his gratitude to everyone who had reached out to check on him. “Thankfully, so many people contacted me and worried about me, but I really wasn’t that seriously ill,” he said. “I went to the hospital that morning and got an injection, and fortunately, I felt much better by the afternoon. I even called back and asked, ‘What if we resume filming?’ But they told me it wasn’t possible because all the staff members had already gone home.”
Song Eun Yi jokingly responded, “I thought the nation’s mother had collapsed,” drawing laughter from the group. Yoo Jae Suk also laughed before apologizing for causing unnecessary concern. “Since everyone heard that this was the first time in more than 30 years, they thought something terrible must have happened. I’m really sorry for unintentionally making everyone worry,” he said.
On September 22, Yoo Jae Suk had been scheduled to film Whenever Possible in Jongno District, Seoul. However, after discussing his condition with the production team, the decision was made to cancel the recording.
At the time, his agency Antenna released an official statement explaining, “Yoo Jae Suk was unfortunately unable to proceed with today’s filming of Whenever Possible due to a temporary high fever caused by cold symptoms.” The agency added that he was focusing on recovery and that the production team had been informed, with arrangements being made to reschedule the recording.
Yoo Jae Suk previously canceled a recording of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block in 2021 after testing positive for COVID-19. However, the recent incident marked the first time since his debut in 1991 that he had canceled a scheduled recording on the day of filming because of a health issue, making it an exceptionally rare occurrence in his 35-year career.
Sources: Daum