Jang Hang-jun and Jin Seon-kyu spark laughter with explosive chemistry on 'Master Hang-jun'

The SBS cinematic talk show 'Master Hang-jun' airs every Thursday at 9 PM.

In the second episode of 'Master Hang-jun,' which aired this past Thursday the 22nd, actor Jin Seon-kyu appeared as a guest to engage in a playful battle of wits with Jang Hang-jun. The two displayed a close friendship through relentless accusations and counterattacks, driving laughter. The episode recorded a peak viewership rating of 2.55% (based on Nielsen Korea data for the Seoul metropolitan area), and the topic "Jin Seon-kyu Jang Hang-jun doppelganger" ranked first in real-time trends on portal sites during the broadcast. The show is directed by Lee Dong-won and Gam Yu-min, written by Kim Myeong-jeong, and co-produced by VIVO Content Lab.

Recalling their first meeting, Jang Hang-jun expressed lingering resentment, claiming that Jin Seon-kyu was more excited to see writer Kim Eun-hee than him, stating, "He treated me poorly until 'The King's Warden'." Jin Seon-kyu responded jokingly by dismissing Jang's fame, saying, "Actually, I didn't know you well, Hang-jun hyung," before admitting he was immediately impressed upon meeting Kim Eun-hee. Jang Hang-jun then attempted to slander Jin, claiming that when Jin sent dried persimmons to his house, there was a bundle of 50,000 won notes hidden underneath. In response to Jang's outburst, Jin wittyley tried to restrain him, asking, "Have you developed delusions? Take your medicine!"

Jin Seon-kyu also teased Jang Hang-jun by ignoring him to give a 90-degree bow to director Park Chan-wook on a tablet screen. However, when asked whom he would choose if both Jang Hang-jun and Park Chan-wook offered him a role at the same time, Jin stated, "I would choose director Jang Hang-jun." This surprised Jang, leading to laughter. Jin continued with unexpected praise, saying that director Jang, who has "drawn his sword" with 'The King's Warden,' is "just beginning to feel fresh," though he later added a jab by saying that after watching 'The King's Warden,' it didn't seem like something Jang Hang-jun made.

Amidst the laughter, Jin Seon-kyu shared sincere stories, including his turning point during the audition for 'The Outlaws,' how his wife Park Bo-kyung's support allowed him to pursue his acting career, and his feelings about her being recognized as a skilled actress. He shared a touching moment regarding his affection for Park Bo-kyung, revealing, "When we had a child, my wife told me, 'You focus on being an actor, and I'll be the mother,'" adding that he vowed to succeed in acting because of her. He also expressed pride in her success, noting that she passed every audition she went to and was much better at giving acceptance speeches than he expected.

During the formal audition segment, the eccentric setting of 'Master Hang-jun' caused laughter. Jin Seon-kyu reacted with disbelief as Jang Hang-jun's upcoming project, 'Where Is Hang-jun?!', grew increasingly absurd with plans for "overseas locations" and a "10-year filming period." However, Jin soon became fully immersed, delivering versatile performances ranging from "teleportation" acting to using a youthful voice to mimic a young Jang Hang-jun, perfectly capturing the "Master's" team's vision while performing the script for 'Where Is Hang-jun?!'.

The laughter continued when Jang Hang-jun presented a contract, prompting Jin Seon-kyu to question if it was a "scam" because he hadn't been shown the script. The chemistry between Jang Hang-jun and Song Eun-i, who were serious about the "secret audition" concept, and Jin Seon-kyu, who responded brilliantly to them, maximized the unique humor of 'Master Hang-jun.'

The episode combined witty banter and playful talk with sincere stories that left a warm impression. Through "Jang Hang-jun style talk"—filled with boasting, bluffing, and absurd slanders—the show highlighted Jin Seon-kyu's playful personality, showcasing the charm of this new concept of an "autonomous driving" talk show.

Following the broadcast, online communities and social media showed enthusiastic responses, with comments such as, "The talk is fun and the acting is hilarious," "It's so funny how Jin Seon-kyu responds every time he is slandered," "Jin Seon-kyu is a great actor. His grandfather acting and imitation of Jang Hang-jun are amazing," "I burst out laughing seeing Jin Seon-kyu's reaction to the 'teleportation' acting," and "It has a novel kind of fun."

'Master Hang-jun' is a cinematic talk variety show where Jang Hang-jun, who was sometimes pathetic and sometimes servile but more brilliant than anyone, holds secret auditions to cast top actors for his autobiographical film 'Master Hang-jun.' The show features the intense verbal tug-of-war between the master and the stars. It airs every Thursday at 9 PM on SBS.

Read the original (Korean)