Gag Concert adds humor to daily life @ HanCinema :: The Korean ...

By Lee Chang-sup

Every Sunday at 9:15 p.m., families get together in their living rooms to watch the Gag Concert at KBS2. The Gag Concert has been the longest-running weekly comedy show since 1999. It is also one of the rare shows that family members across generations can enjoy.

The Gag Concert is the most popular comedy show in Korea. It is the most viewed Sunday night show, with an average viewership of more than 20 percent. Furthermore, many of its comedians and comediennes have become darlings of TV commercials.

The show's popularity is especially evident among young viewers. For instance, on Mondays at lunch time, it is not uncommon to see young office workers doing impressions of the comedians and comediennes they saw the night before. Older managers and executives who miss the show are sure to be out of tune with their young subordinates.

The show's popularity is attributable to a number of factors. First is the significant amount of effort involved in its production. It has been said that the show films about 20 episodes a week and only the best ones are aired. Competition is intense among Gag Concert members.

Another important factor contributing to the show's popularity is that it is interactive. The show often solicits the participation of viewers by getting their feedback on topics they would like to see. By doing so, the show produces episodes about topics that appeal to the public sentiment, such as stories that take place in people's daily lives.

A closely related factor is the show's relatable characters. The show features stories about people on the street. For instance, one episode featured the four types of "unattractive" men in Korea-the fatty, the hillbilly (i.e., country boy), the short man, and the unpopular. The show then proceeded to break society's misconceptions as four comedians acted out the four stereotypes. It has comically depicted the embarrassments teachers face in their conversations with wayward students.

The show is also popular because it entertains young people, but at the same time helps instill the "can-do" spirit in them. The show conveys the message that Korea is a land of opportunity for those who are brave enough to pursue their dreams. For instance, "Brave Dudes", a song from the show, is often played loudly in health centers in Seoul.

Another reason why the show is very popular is that no topic or person is safe from the show's parodies and sarcasm. For instance, it has derided the current president for his poor crisis management and bureaucratic formalities in contingencies. Even its show directors, producers, comedians, and comediennes are parodied in its episodes. The show's topics can be about anything or anyone in society; it is not politically biased, and thus is enjoyed by both conservative and liberal viewers.

It is thus not surprising that the show is a source of frustration and embarrassment for politicians, including presidential candidates. It may not be an exaggeration to say that viewers are more familiar with Gag Concert heroes and heroines than presidential candidates. Indeed, any personality that appears on the show becomes the most-searched personality online the next day.

Politicians can learn a lot from the show. Although the election is four months away, the ruling and the opposition parties are frustrated about the lackluster public interest in their primaries and candidates. A big part of the problem is that politicians, including the presidential candidates, look quite serious and boring.

Unlike U.S. Presidents, including Barack Obama, Korean presidents, including Lee Myung-bak, have little knack for using humor in conveying their messages to the public. They think that humor is not a universal language, and that it may subject them to public ridicule if their jokes turn out clumsy and awkward. However, they should take the risk and use a little humor in their public speeches so that their messages will appeal to voters more.

Corporate leaders can also learn from the Gag Concert. Many leaders view humor as very risky. What they do not realize is that humor can help them establish rapport with their younger subordinates and elicit creativity from them.

Korea is often called the humorless society. The rigid, confrontational political and corporate culture has little room for jokes. In the hierarchy-oriented Confucian society, many Koreans, including older people, are not receptive to humor and jokes from young people. However, this sentiment is gradually changing. As the Korean society becomes increasingly entertainment-oriented, it becomes more receptive to humor and jokes. For instance, readers of online newspapers no longer seek only serious topics - they also want to read about the romances and scandals surrounding celebrities, entertainers, and sports stars. In addition, young people are becoming important participants in society, and are more receptive to messages conveyed with a little humor.

Although some sociologists like Professor Jon Huer at the University of Maryland warn that entertainment is the axis of evil temptation and a weapon of mass distraction, it enables people to escape from their daily lives. Society is changing; young people are more open to conversations if there is a little humor involved. Thus, older people, politicians, and corporate executives should consider adding a little humor to their speeches and conversations in order to make their messages more appealing to a broader audience.

Lee Chang-sup is the executive managing director of The Korea Times. Contact him at [email?protected]

Source: http://www.hancinema.net/gag-concert-adds-humor-to-daily-life-46944.html

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