Viewers back Heo Kyung-hwan after a producer's blunt remarks in MBC clip

A clip from MBC's entertainment program 최우수산, posted after the July 5 broadcast, drew attention for a scene in which Jang Dong-min and Yang Se-hyung, appearing as the show's mountain "bandits," turn bashful in front of a star producer while an anxious Heo Kyung-hwan makes an over-the-top bid for attention. The most-liked reactions came to Heo's defense over what commenters saw as harsh feedback aimed at him. "Why is that PD giving our Heo Kyung-hwan such harsh words? Rooting for you, Heo Kyung-hwan — don't be discouraged by a producer with no eye for talent," one viewer commented. Another pushed back on a specific remark, writing, "What do you mean Heo Kyung-hwan can't find his place on Hangout with Yoo? Even if a chief producer can't take his side, does he have to crush his spirit? The response has been good ever since Kyung-hwan became a regular."

Other commenters directed their criticism at the episode itself rather than the producer's remarks. "It's less fun than last time" (지난번보다 잼없네), one wrote, while another questioned the casting: "Why is Jo Hye-ryun (조혜련) even on this? The show is really losing its way." A longer comment called the episode time-filling and said it strayed from the program's mountain premise: "I was looking forward to 최우수산, but it's going off the rails, so as of today I'm back to 2 Days & 1 Night." Another viewer set a deadline, writing, "I'll give it exactly one month." Taken together, the comments were split, with encouragement for Heo Kyung-hwan on one side and disappointment over the episode's direction on the other.