Why Kwak Beom couldn't call Lim Young-woong even after getting his number

Comedian Kwak Bum revealed that even though he has Lim Young-woong's contact information, he cannot easily call him. While said in jest, the moment also showcased the role Kwak Bum will play in the new SBS Tuesday variety show 'Mountain Bachelor Young-woong,' which premieres on the 23rd.

He has the number, but is cautious about calling

On the SBS Power FM program 'Two O'Clock Escape Cultwo Show' aired on the 11th, Kwak Bum worked alongside Kim Tae-gyun as a special DJ. The conversation naturally flowed toward 'Mountain Bachelor Young-woong,' the show he is appearing in. Introducing the program, Kwak Bum referred to Lim Young-woong familiarly, describing it as a "healing variety show where I laugh, joke around, and chat with Young-woong."

When Kim Tae-gyun said, "Tell Young-woong to come out once," Kwak Bum immediately shot back, "Young-woong, come out once!" However, when the topic of actually contacting him arose, his tone changed. He said, "It's burdensome to contact him directly. I'll try to reach out. He might not reply. I'll do my best," and when asked if he had the number, he joked, "I have the number, but I've been banned from contacting him personally." He then added, "Just kidding, I have to promote the show, so I'll give him a call," steering the laughter back on track.

Laughter is the fastest way to promote a new variety show

The reason this scene doesn't sound purely lighthearted is that Kwak Bum's joke aligns with the color of 'Mountain Bachelor Young-woong.' The program is a project where Lim Young-woong returns to variety shows following 'Island Bachelor Young-woong.' The setting has moved from the sea to the mountains, and the cast includes Cha Seung-won, Hyun Bong-sik, Kim Do-hoon, Heo Kyung-hwan, Kwak Bum, Jo Jazz, Nucksal, and Roy Kim, alongside Lim Young-woong. The premiere date is confirmed for the 23rd at 9 PM.

In variety shows, Lim Young-woong is a performer who draws attention without needing much explanation. Therefore, what the surrounding cast needs is a sense of distance that allows for comfortable laughter rather than excessive reactions. Kwak Bum's method of pushing the idea of being "close" and then immediately retreating by saying it's "burdensome" creates that distance. He lowered the potential for fans to feel sensitive about displays of intimacy by turning it into a joke, while simultaneously lightening the atmosphere of the program.

The teaser showed the combination of people

In the recently released second teaser, the focus is on the meeting of people rather than grand missions. Based on the setting where Lim Young-woong calls his friends to a mountain house, actors, comedians, singers, and rappers blend together. Like the scene where Roy Kim and Lim Young-woong sing along to a guitar performance, music remains a natural element, and the texture of a slice-of-life variety show created by Cha Seung-won, Hyun Bong-sik, Kim Do-hoon, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Kwak Bum is also visible.

For Kwak Bum, this broadcast is less about being the center of laughter next to Lim Young-woong and more about playing a role that lightens the mood. That is why the joke "I have the number but can't call" resonates. The key point to watch for in the first episode is clear: just as much as Lim Young-woong's relaxed demeanor, how naturally the diverse cast members mingle within the mountain house will determine the temperature of the program.