Saturday Night Live Korea

Saturday Night Live Korea
Also known asSNL Korea
Genre
Created byLorne Michaels
Directed by
  • Yoo Sung-mo
  • Kwon Sung-wook
Creative directorsSong Chang-ui
(Season 4)
Jang Jin
(Season 1,2,3)
Presented byShin Dong-yup (de facto)
Starring(see cast)
Narrated by
Opening themeSNL theme song
by Common Ground
Ending themeSNL theme song
by Common Ground
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of seasons15(9 Seasons on TVN, 6 Seasons on Coupang Play)
No. of episodes210 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerKim Sung-han
Production locationsMulti-studio of CJ E&M Broadcasting Center, Digital Media City, Seoul, South Korea
Running time90 minutes, including adverts
Saturdays at 20:00 (KST)
Production companies
Original release
NetworktvN
Release3 December 2011 (2011-12-03) –
18 November 2017 (2017-11-18)
NetworkCoupang Play
Release4 September 2021 (2021-09-04) –
present
Related
Saturday Night Live
Korean name
Hangul
새터데이 나이트 라이브 코리아
Revised RomanizationSaeteodei Naiteu Raibeu Koria
McCune–ReischauerSaet'ŏdei Nait'ŭ Raibŭ K'oria

Saturday Night Live Korea (Korean: 새터데이 나이트 라이브 코리아; abbreviated as SNL Korea (Korean: SNL코리아) or simply as SNLK) is a South Korean late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show. It is adapted from the long-running American TV show Saturday Night Live by NBC, and the show's executive producers are Lorne Michaels and Jennifer Danielson from SNL Studios and Broadway Video, which licenses the format. Originally broadcast by generalist cable network tvN, the weekly program ran from 3 December 2011 to 18 November 2017, and aired on Saturdays at 22:50 KST.[2] In 2021, the format was revived by Coupang Play, and the show premiered on the streaming platform on September 4, 2021, at 22:00 KST.

History

Season one

Written and directed by filmmaker and playwright Jang Jin,[3] the show was officially announced on November 24, 2011, at a roundtable press conference in Cheongdam-dong. The original cast was composed of 17 members: Jang Jin, Ahn Young-mi, Lee Han-wi, Jung Woong-in, Kim Bin-woo, Jang Young-nam, Kim Won-hae, Lee Hae-young, Lee Chul-min, Lee Sang-hoon, Park Joon-seo, Kim Ji-young, Kim Ji-kyung, Min Seo-hyun, Han Seo-jin, Go Kyung-pyo,[4] and Kim Seul-gi. The premiere episode on December 3, 2011, was hosted by actor Kim Joo-hyuk.[5][6]

Then-showrunner and head writer Jang Jin spoke about the difficulties in recruiting guests, saying "When you’re offering a film, you give them a script, ask them how it is and if they say no, say that's good and turn around, but to get people to appear in this show, I had to beg. I even asked them to appear on the show by giving them my next movie script."[7] The first season ran from December 3, 2011, to January 21, 2012, for eight episodes.[8][9]

Season two

The second season ran from May 26 to July 14, 2012, for eight episodes. The cast members were Jang Jin, Lee Han-wi, Kim Won-hae, Kang Sung-jin, Jang Young-nam, Jung Sung-ho, Kim Min-kyo, Lee Sang-hoon, Jung Myung-ok, Kang Yu-mi, Im Hye-young, Park Sang-woo, Ahn Young-mi, Kwon Hyeok-su, Go Kyung-pyo, and Kim Seul-gi.

Season three

The third season ran from September 8 to November 15, 2012, for seventeen episodes.[10] The cast members were Jang Jin, Shin Dong-yup, Kim Won-hae, Jung Sung-ho, Park Sang-woo, Kim Min-kyo, Jung Myung-ok, Lee Sang-hoon, Oh Cho-hee, Jang Yoon-seo, Son Bo-min, Seo Yu-ri, Han Seo-jin, Kwon Hyeok-su, Go Kyung-pyo, and Kim Seul-gi.

Season four

The fourth season ran from February 2 to November 23, 2013, for 38 episodes.[11]

Jay Park and Park Eun-ji joined as regular cast members (they had both previously hosted in season 3). Meanwhile, Jang Jin, Go Kyung-pyo, and Oh Cho-hee exited the program.[12][13] The season 4 cast members were Shin Dong-yup, Kim Won-hae, Lee Sang-hoon, Ahn Young-mi, Kim Min-kyo, Kim Seul-gi, Jung Sung-ho, Jung Myung-ok, Kwon Hyeok-su, Park Sang-woo, Seo Yu-ri, Lee Byung-jin, Jin Won, Jay Park, and Park Eun-ji. New cast additions later in the season were Choi Il-gu, Yoo Se-yoon, 2EYES, and Clara. Jin Won exited the show on episode 18, and Kim Seul-gi did the same on episode 24.

Directors Ahn Sang-hee, Baek Seung-ryong, Kim Min, and Yoo Sung-mo are described them as "SNL Korea's F4."[14][15]

Season five

The fifth season ran on March 1, 2014, to November 29, 2014, for 35 episodes.

Narsha and Seo Eun-kwang (BtoB) joined as regular cast members, while Clara exited the program. Weekend Update was discontinued, and replaced by a mini-talk show hosted by You Hee-yeol.[16]

Season six

The sixth season started on February 14, 2015, and stopped on June 20, 2015, for a temporary hiatus for the airing of The Genius: Grand Final. It resumed on September 19, 2015, and ran until December 19, 2015.

Shim Hyung-rae, Shin Dong-yup, et al., cast meeting, February 21, 2015

2021 revival

On February 17, 2021, NBCUniversal Formats and Broadway Video Enterprise announced that SNL Korea will have a new season, produced this time by AStory. The series will air on Coupang Play later in the same year.[1][17]

Cast members

Final roster

No. Member(s) Season(s) Episode(s)
1 Ahn Young-mi 1 1–8
2 1–8
4 1–38
5 1–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
2 Jung Yi-rang 2 1–8
3 1–17
4 1–38
5 1–20
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
3 Kim Min-kyo 2 1–8
3 1–17
4 1–38
5 1–35
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
4 Jung Sung-ho [ko] 2 1–8
3 1–17
4 1–38
5 1–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
5 Kwon Hyuk-soo 2 1–8
3 1–17
4 1–38
5 1–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
6 Shin Dong-yup 3 1–17
4 1–38
5 1–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
7 Yoo Se-yoon 4 8–38
5 1–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
8 Jung Sang-hoon 5 1–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
5 Lee Se-young (comedian) 5 13–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
10 Kim Jun-hyun 6 1–32
7 1–18
8 1–17
9 1–33
11 Jang Do-yoon 8 1–17
9 1–33
12 Shin Hye-jeong 9 1–33
13 Kang-yoon 9 1–33
14 Kim Hyeon-ju 9 1–33
15 Jang Do-yeon 9 17–33

Musical theme of the opening and closing, and between segments, are performed by the band Common Ground [ko] (커먼그라운드).

Former members

No. Member(s) Season(s) Episode(s)
1 Jang Jin 1 1–8
2 1–8
3 1–17
2 Jang Young-nam 1 1–8
2 1–8
3 Jung Woong-in 1 1–8
4 Kim Bin-woo 1 1–8
5 Lee Hae-young 1 1–8
6 Kim Seul-gi 1 1–8
2 1–8
3 1–17
4 1–25
7 Min Seo-hyun 1 1–8
8 Park Joon-seo 1 1–8
9 Kim Jie-gyung 1 1–8
10 Kim Won-hae 1 1–8
2 1–8
3 1–17
4 1–38
11 Lee Chul-min 1 1–8
12 Lee Han-wi 1 1–8
2 1–8
13 Kim Jie-young 1 1–8
14 Lee Sang-hoon [ko] 1 1–8
2 1–8
3 1–17
4 1–38
15 Han Seo-jin 1 1–8
3 1–10
16 Go Kyung-pyo 1 1–8
2 1–8
3 1–17
17 Kang Yu-mi 2 1–8
6 1–32
7 1–18
18 Kang Sung-jin 2 1–8
19 Im Hye-young 2 1–8
20 Park Sang-woo 2 1–8
3 1–17
4 19–38
21 Oh Cho-hee 3 1–17
22 Jang Yoon-seo 3 1–17
23 Son Bo-min 3 1–17
24 Seo Yu-ri 3 1–17
4 1–38
5 1–35
25 Jay Park 4 1–38
5 1–35
6 1–22
26 Park Eun-ji 4 1–5
27 Lee Byeong-jin 4 1–5
28 Jin Won 4 1–18
29 Choi Il-goo 4 8–25
30 2EYES 4 19–38
31 Clara 4 20–38
32 You Hee-yeol 4 27–38
5 1–20
33 Ryu Hye-lin 4 33–38
34 Narsha 5 1–35
6 1–18
35 Han Jae-suk 5 1–35
6 1–32
7 1–18
36 Seo Eunkwang 5 1–10
37 Kim Du-young 5 1–35
6 1–32
38 Kim Tae-hee 5 1–35
39 Leah Kim Thompson (LEAH) 5 15–35
6 1–32
40 Jung Yeon-joo 6 1–32
7 1–18
41 Ko Won-hee 6 1–22
42 Hwang Seung-eon 6 19–25
43 Lee Hae-woo 6 19–32
44 Kim Hye-jun 7 1–18
45 Song Won-seok 7 1–18
46 Yewon 7 1–18
47 Lee Won-seok 7 1–4
48 Kim Poong 7 1–4
49 Tak Jae-hoon 8 1–17
50 Lee Soo-min 8 1–17
51 Lee Myung-hoon 8 1–17
52 Kim So-hye 8 1–17
53 Sim So-young 9 1–16

Cast timeline

Format and segments

The Korean version follows a similar format as the American version, with a host, cast members and several skits for each episode.

  • Weekend Update: News sketch that reviews the week's social, economic, and cultural issues. Anchored by Jang Jin in Seasons 1–3.[18][19][20]
    • Wise Search for Life (슬기로운 탐구생활): This pre-recorded sub-segment of Weekend Update satirizes each week's most talked-about headlines and events. Voice narration by Kim Seul-gi.
    • Dispatch SNL (출동 SNL): This live-skit is also a sub-segment of WU, and includes interviews by its correspondent Kwon Hyeok-su [ko].
    • SNL Invitation (SNL 초대석): This live-skit, also a sub-segment of WU, involves a person (usually the episode's host, or sometimes a cast member) in a fake or actual situation related to the week's best-known events.
  • SNL Digital Short: Comedic and musical pre-recorded "video shorts" which are performed by SNLK cast members and hosts each week (usually one or two per episode). Their most popular shorts are their Grand Theft Auto parodies, ranging from the Joseon period to modern military.[21]
  • Lee Oung-don PD's Eatable X-File: Since the latter episodes of season 3, each week Shin Dong-yup (in the role of Production Director Lee Oung-don [이엉돈 PD]) takes 3 or 4 kinds of food from the hands of other cast members for fun, to judge whether it's suitable to eat or not, then runs away quickly. It is a parody of Channel A's infotainment program Lee Yeong-don PD's Eatable X-File [ko].
  • Sa-gwa Shilup (사과실업): This is an occasional skit that adopts a business presentation style, for advertising peculiar products. Moderated by Shin Dong-yup, while wearing clothes and make-up similar to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Ratings

The season finale of season two, broadcast on July 14, 2012, was hosted by boy band Super Junior, which was the first non-music program they appeared in as part of the promotion for their sixth studio album Sexy, Free & Single. According to AGB Nielsen Media Research, the episodes achieved a nationwide rating of 1.334%.[22]

Episode 13 of season 3, broadcast on December 1, 2012, and hosted by Jay Park, achieved a nationwide rating of 1.54%, with a peak of 1.85%. It recorded 1.04% ratings in the 20 to 49 age group, as well as 1.96% with a peak of 2.49% for women in their 40s, making it the most-watched program in its time slot for both age groups.[23]

Season 8 controversies

Nearing the conclusion of Season 8 in 2016, an episode that featured the boy band B1A4, SNL Korea released a behind-the-scenes video on their Facebook. The video features an introduction of the band and discussion of their upcoming appearance. As soon as the members are formally introduced, a group of female staff members grope the band members' genitals and run off. The video was taken off of the show's Facebook shortly after along with an apology to the members of B1A4. However, shortly after the incident, boy bands INFINITE and Block B released videos on their twitters under the hashtag "SNL_성추행" ('SNL sexual harassment') stating that this behavior was common on the show.[24][25] A sexual assault case was filed by petition agency, E-People, against comedian Lee Se-young[26] but the charges were eventually dropped.[27]

SNL Korea was met with heavy criticism after airing a sketch that featured a joke about actress Um Aing-ran's chest. Um had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in the year and underwent surgery. Jung Yi-rang, the actress who portrayed Um in the sketch, was unaware of the severity of the condition and issued an apology to Um.[28] Season 8 of the SNL Korea ended on December 24, 2016, with singer Hwang Chi-yeul as the last host. tvN issued a statement saying that the show will return for another season but "with a new image".[29][30]

List of episodes and guests

Further information: List of Saturday Night Live Korea episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2018 54th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Variety Performer – Male Kwon Hyuk-soo Nominated [31]
2022 1st Blue Dragon Series Awards Best Entertainment Program SNL Korea Nominated [32][33]
Best Male Entertainer Shin Dong-yup Nominated
Best New Male Entertainer Jeong Hyuk Nominated
Best New Female Entertainer Joo Hyun-young Won
2023 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards Best Reality & Variety SNL Korea Nominated [34]
2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards Best Entertainment Program Nominated [35][36]
Best Male Entertainer Shin Dong-yup Nominated
Best Female Entertainer Joo Hyun-young Won
Best New Male Entertainer Nam Hyun-woo Nominated
Best New Female Entertainer Kim Ah-young Won
2024 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards Best Entertainment Program SNL Korea Nominated [37][38]
Best Male Entertainer Shin Dong-yup Won
Best Female Entertainer Lee Soo-ji Nominated
Best New Male Entertainer Ahn Do-kyu Nominated
Best New Female Entertainer Ji Ye-eun Nominated

See also

References

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  2. ^ "김주혁, [SNL KOREA] 코믹 화보 폭소 작렬 '이런 모습 처음이야'". JK Star News (in Korean). 28 November 2011. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  3. ^ Kim, Yoon-mi (11 November 2011). "Jang to direct Saturday Night Live Korea". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  4. ^ Suk, Monica (15 March 2012). "Simon D, Ko Kyeong-pyo join upcoming MBC sitcom". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  5. ^ Choi, Eun-hwa (22 November 2011). "Saturday Night Live Korea to Start Airing on December 3". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  6. ^ Noh, Hyun-gi (27 November 2011). "Live from Seoul, It's Saturday Night!". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  7. ^ Oh, Mi-jung (25 November 2011). "Jang Jin Takes Matters Into His Own Hands for SNLK". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
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  9. ^ Sung, So-young (27 January 2012). "Sketch comedies are back, with more bite". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-09.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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  14. ^ Jang, Yun-seong (16 February 2013). "Mentor Interview: SNL Korea's F4". M25 (in Korean). MediaWill Co. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  15. ^ Jung, Min-ho (13 March 2013). "Funny or offensive?: Cable shows push envelope with sexual content". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  16. ^ Kim, Hee-eun (18 February 2014). "SNL Korea revamps for 5th season". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
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  18. ^ Choi, Eun-hwa (23 November 2011). "Jang Jin to Debut as Newscaster in Comedy Show". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  19. ^ Lee, In-kyung (26 December 2011). "SNLK's Jang Jin Gains Popularity with his Political Satire". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  20. ^ Jeon, Su-mi (27 May 2012). "Jang Jin Compares Diablo 3 to Chanel Handbags on SNLK". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  21. ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (17 December 2012). "Brown Eyed Girls Admit Doing Plastic Surgery in Plastic Face Digital Short". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  22. ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (16 July 2012). "SNL Korea Season 2 Closes its Curtains with Super Junior". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  23. ^ Oh, Mi-jung (3 December 2012). "Jay Park Brings High Ratings to SNL Korea". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
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  25. ^ Chheda, Manthan (27 November 2016). "'SNL Korea' female comedians caught sexually assaulting INFINITE, B1A4 members [VIDEOS]". Yibada English. Winnie Wong. Yibada Inc. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  26. ^ Jeong, G. (30 November 2016). "SNL Korea Sexual Assault Case Officially Submitted To The Police, Lee Se Young's Agency Responds". Soompi. Viki inc. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  27. ^ Chheda, Manthan (4 January 2017). "Lee Se Young's sexual assault charges dropped; Netizens react angrily to dismissal of case against comedian Lee Se Young's sexual assault charges dropped; Netizens react angrily to dismissal of case against comedian". Yibada English. Winnie Wong. Yibada. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  28. ^ Choi, R. (3 December 2016). ""SNL Korea" Swept Up In Controversy For Unintentionally Poking Fun At Actress With Breast Cancer". Soompi. Viki inc. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  29. ^ Do, K. (10 December 2016). ""SNL Korea" To End Season, Promises To Return With New Image". Soompi. Viki Inc. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  30. ^ "SNL8, 24일 마지막 방송…"많이 반성하고 다시 오겠다"". Dispatch. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  31. ^ "제54회 백상예술대상, TV·영화 각 부문별 수상 후보자 공개". JTBC (in Korean). April 6, 2018.
  32. ^ Moon Ji-yeon (July 6, 2022). "제1회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 공개..'오징어 게임'·'SNL코리아' 최다노미" [The 1st Blue Dragon Series Awards nominees revealed.. Most Nominees for 'Squid Game' and 'SNL Korea'] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved July 7, 2022 – via Naver.
  33. ^ Jin Hyang-hee (July 19, 2022). "[청룡시리즈어워즈] 이정재·김고은, 남녀주연상…'D.P.'·'환승연애' 작품상(종합" [[Blue Dragon Series Awards] Lee Jung-jae and Kim Go-eun, Best Actor... 'DP' · 'Transferring Love' Best Picture (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). Maeil Economic Daily. Retrieved July 19, 2022 – via Naver.
  34. ^ Park, Jae-hwan (September 12, 2023). "아시아콘텐츠어워즈&글로벌OTT어워즈 후보작 발표.. "더 글로리, 무빙, 만장적계절, 그리고 퍼스트러브하츠코이" [Asian Content Awards & Global OTT Awards Nominees Announced... "The Glory, Moving, All Seasons, and First Love Hatsukoi"] (in Korean). KBS. Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Roh Yi-seul (June 26, 2023). "제2회 청룡시리즈어워즈 최종 후보 발표...차은우·박지훈·배인혁·문상민 신인남우상 격돌" [Announcement of the final candidates for the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards...Cha Eun-woo, Park Ji-hoon, Bae In-hyuk, and Moon Sang-min clash for the Best New Actor Award] (in Korean). SportsW. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  36. ^ Hong Se-young (July 19, 2023). “수고했다 혜교야” 송혜교 대상→‘카지노’ 작품상 (청룡시리즈어워즈)[종합] [“Good job, Hye-kyo” Song Hye-kyo Grand Prize → ‘Casino’ Best Picture (Blue Dragon Series Awards) [Comprehensive]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved July 19, 2023 – via Naver.
  37. ^ Moon, Ji-yeon (June 24, 2024). "[공식] '무빙'·'SNL코리아' 최다 노미..제3회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 격돌" [[Official] 'Moving' and 'SNL Korea' most nominated..Candidates clash for the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Naver.
  38. ^ Park, Hyun-min (July 20, 2024). "'무빙' 대상→신인상..3관왕! 임시완·박보영 남녀주연상 [제3회 청룡시리즈어워즈] | 하퍼스 바자 코리아" ['Moving' Grand Prize → Best Newcomer... Triple Crown! Im Si-wan and Park Bo-young Best Male and Female Leading Actor [3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards]]. Harper's Bazaar (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-07-19.