'Drunk Driving' Controversy Wiped Clean: "What's Going On?" Sets New Yearly Ratings Record [Comprehensive]

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"What's Going On?", which completely edited out actor Ko Kyung-pyo following his drunk driving scandal, set a new record for its highest ratings this year.

According to Nielsen Korea on the 15th, the MBC variety show "What's Going On?" broadcast on the 14th recorded a nationwide household rating of 6.5%, a Seoul metropolitan area household rating of 6.5%, and a 20-54 demographic rating of 4.2%. The highest-rated minute in the Seoul metropolitan area was the scene where Yoo Jae-suk talked about an episode in which he spotted Kim Hee-sun at a karaoke room, revealing Kim Hee-sun's lively personality, which even "Apgujeong Playboy" Yoo Jae-suk acknowledged, bringing laughter. The peak per-minute rating soared to 7.9%.

On this day, as each member's desired songs were revealed, an opinion emerged to form a group with a unique combination, given that group activities were active in the 1990s. When Choi Ye-na was looking for a male partner to sing "Angels Who Lost Their Wings (Lula)" together, Lee Sun-min and Gwak Beom actively pitched themselves by dancing their hips. Additionally, when Lee Kyu-hyung said he wanted to perform "The Last Festival (Seo Taiji and Boys)," the members laughed out loud as they eyed the member slots, asking, "Don't you need a sidekick?"

The TOP 5 "90s-1995 Songs Viewers Want to Hear Again" were also announced. Among them, "Gamedian (Singer + Comedian)" Yoo Young-woo challenged himself to sing the No. 1 song, "Practice of Memory (Jeonranghui)." Yoo Young-woo confidently showcased his vocal skills in front of renowned senior singers, earning a standing ovation. In response, Yoo Jae-suk exclaimed, "Your guts are amazing." Lee So-ra said, "You did well. You definitely need guts," and Geummi praised Yoo Young-woo's on-the-spot ad-lib by saying, "It was too cool. It was shocking."

Following this, Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae set out to recruit Kim Hee-sun, a "90s icon," as the MC. Kim Hee-sun appeared wearing a "power shoulder" outfit and shared a behind-the-scenes story that brought laughter, saying she had been excited about the song contest recruitment call, thinking it was for her to sing, and had spent time alone looking up 1990s hit songs to decide what to perform.

Yoo Jae-suk, who saw Kim Hee-sun, remarked, "You're defying time. You don't age," while Joo Woo-jae exclaimed, "If you debuted now, you'd be No. 1." When asked about the secret to her maintenance, Kim Hee-sun answered, "I get procedures done, right?" which drew laughter. She then added, realizing she was too honest, "My nickname is 'Cinderella.' Even when I'm stressed, I don't stay out past midnight."

The phenomenon-level popularity of Kim Hee-sun, who dominated the 1990s, was also introduced. Attention was drawn to fashion trends started by Kim Hee-sun, including "Gopchang Band," which recorded sales of 4 billion won at the time, as well as "pastel headbands" and "X-shaped pins." Kim Hee-sun's past, where she could not let go of her lively spirit even amidst a busy schedule, was also revealed. Yoo Jae-suk said, "As far as I remember, I know you were going out to various places," and shared an episode where he was surprised to find that Kim Hee-sun, whom he had just seen on a TV live broadcast, was in the next room at a karaoke place.

Heo Kyung-hwan, who has special memories with Kim Hee-sun, revealed an episode from his school days. Heo Kyung-hwan brought out an old photo of himself getting an autograph from Kim Hee-sun when he was in middle school. Then, saying, "Do you remember me?" to the nostalgic "Bookend Sister," he opened up his pores with sweat, bringing laughter. Joo Woo-jae also shyly expressed his fandom, and when told that Joo Woo-jae had been an elementary school student at the time, Kim Hee-sun called him a "baby" and found him cute.

Finally, Yoo Jae-suk said, "Back then, MCs would sometimes open the show by singing," to gauge Kim Hee-sun's interest, and she showed a receptive reaction. She even expressed interest by asking, "Do I need to wear a wig too?" Haha suggested Kim Hee-sun's trendy "Niagara Falls hairstyle" from that time, leaving viewers eager to see if they will get to see Kim Hee-sun at the song contest.

Meanwhile, according to the Seoul Mapo Police Station, Ko Kyung-pyo caused an accident by hitting a cleaning truck while driving his personal car in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, around 3:30 a.m. on the 14th. A breathalyzer test revealed that Ko Kyung-pyo's blood alcohol concentration was 0.150%, a level requiring license revocation.

CLN Company, Ko Kyung-pyo's agency, issued an official statement saying, "We deeply apologize to those who were harmed by the drunk driving accident." The company added, "Ko Kyung-pyo acknowledges his mistake and is deeply reflecting on it. He takes the seriousness of the wrongdoing of drunk driving seriously and will humbly accept any future disciplinary action, fulfilling his responsibilities including restoring damages."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original