Hangout with Yoo's watermelon-and-misutgaru hwachae splits viewers

MBC's variety show Hangout with Yoo (놀면 뭐하니?) featured a segment in which comedian Lee Sun-min's mother prepared a Gumi-style hwachae — a watermelon punch mixed with misutgaru (roasted grain powder) and milk. In the comments, viewers split over how familiar the combination was. "Of course you eat it like this — maybe because my mom is from Daegu; watermelon, milk and misutgaru is delicious," one wrote, and another recalled that a grandmother in Daegu used to make watermelon hwachae with misutgaru. Others said the pairing was new to them, including self-described locals: "I've been a Gumi native for over 40 years and it's the first time I've seen misutgaru added" (40년 넘은 구미 토박인데 미숫가루 넣는거 처음 봤어요), one commented, while another asked whether people in Gumi really eat hwachae that way. Many simply said it looked good and wanted to try it, with one adding it seemed like a way to finish off a watermelon that turned out bland.

Much of the reaction centered on Lee Sun-min and his mother. Several commenters described her as cheerful, honest to the point of being unable to lie, and funny, and said the family came across as warm. "The mother is cheerful, and there's something warm and even a little touching about it," one wrote, while others said Lee clearly resembled her and had inherited his comic timing from her. Some argued she was the real highlight of the episode: "It looked like it was heading toward a simple money-war episode as usual, but the mother was the kick." Viewers also pushed for Lee to join as a fixed cast member, with one saying, "I watch Hangout with Yoo because of Lee Sun-min," and others praising his mid-scene interjections.

Other comments focused on the episode's "money war" format. Viewers noted Joo Woo-jae handing Lee's family a 1-million-won allowance and playing the youngest-son role, while Charles was singled out for finishing last. One pushed back on suggestions the moment was staged: "It's a genuine laugh — what do you mean it's like a script?" (찐웃음이잖어 무슨 대본 같은소리 하냐). Several added that the show has been on a strong run lately and said they hoped Yoo Jae-suk would take a year-end award.