The Lunar New Year is often a time for warmth, laughter, and a healthy dose of friendly teasing among families and friends. On February 17, 2026, SBS’s special holiday broadcast of ‘틈만 나면’ (“Whenever There’s a Chance”) delivered exactly that, as a star-studded cast brought humor, candid confessions, and a touch of controversy to living rooms across South Korea. The episode, which aired at 9 PM KST, featured actors Jung Sang-hoon and Ji Ye-eun alongside beloved MCs Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, weaving together lighthearted banter with moments of earnest vulnerability.
Before the main guests even arrived, Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok opened the show at a bustling Ilsan café, sampling the latest dessert craze: the so-called ‘두쫀쿠’ (a chewy Dubai-style cookie that’s been making waves on social media). Yoo Jae-suk, never one to hide his true feelings, took a bite and admitted with a wry smile, “Honestly, I don’t really get it. This cookie just isn’t for me.” According to TopStarNews, the studio erupted in laughter at his candor, a reminder that even the trendiest treats aren’t for everyone. Yoo Yeon-seok chimed in, “Why bring a Dubai cookie to a Lunar New Year show?” Still, he conceded, “If you take these to a family gathering, the kids will love it.” Yoo Jae-suk predicted, “The adults will be curious, maybe try a little, but then they’ll put it down right away.”
Once Jung Sang-hoon and Ji Ye-eun joined as ‘틈 친구’ (special friends for the episode), the energy in the studio kicked up a notch. The pair, both key players in the upcoming season of SNL Korea, jokingly called themselves ‘casting directors’ and tried to rope Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok into guest appearances. When Ji Ye-eun asked if Yoo Jae-suk would consider joining, he didn’t hesitate for a second: “I can’t do it.” Yoo Yeon-seok marveled at his decisiveness, prompting Yoo Jae-suk to explain, “You have to be clear. Saying ‘I’ll think about it’ is just being wishy-washy when everyone’s busy.”
The heart of the night, though, revolved around a playful—yet pointed—exchange between Jung Sang-hoon and Ji Ye-eun. As OSEN and TopStarNews both reported, Jung Sang-hoon didn’t hold back: “You’ve changed. You’re not like you were when you were a rookie.” Ji Ye-eun, not one to dodge the issue, admitted, “I know,” acknowledging that success brings some differences. Yoo Jae-suk added fuel to the fire, observing, “Ye-eun has really become a star.”
Jung Sang-hoon then recounted a recent incident that left him feeling snubbed. “Just before, I went up to her car, called out ‘Ye-eun-ah,’ but she only rolled down the window and stuck her hand out, saying ‘senior.’ I ended up grabbing her hand and asking, ‘How have you been?’” For Jung Sang-hoon, it felt a bit cold—had the rising starlet forgotten her roots?
Ji Ye-eun, however, was quick to clear the air. “It’s a misunderstanding. I was putting on my shoes and had to greet quickly. You know what I’m like. Even if it were Yoo Jae-suk, I would have done the same. That’s just your insecurity talking.” Her candid response, as captured by OSEN, left Jung Sang-hoon momentarily speechless and the studio roaring with laughter. She doubled down, insisting, “I’m the same as always.”
The exchange highlighted a classic dilemma in the entertainment world: as stars rise, their relationships with colleagues inevitably change—or, at least, they’re perceived to. Jung Sang-hoon’s teasing may have struck a chord, but Ji Ye-eun’s forthrightness won her points for honesty. Yoo Jae-suk’s observation that “Ye-eun has become much more of a star” summed up the transformation that fame can bring, for better or worse.
The episode wasn’t all gentle ribbing. There were plenty of warm, relatable moments too. During a bus ride, the cast discussed family life and personal milestones. Jung Sang-hoon, who has three sons, expressed envy at his friend Jo Jung-suk’s newborn daughter with singer Gummy. “It’s rare for a newborn to be that beautiful, but when I saw the photo, she really was,” he said, adding, “I’m jealous he has two daughters.” He also reflected on the challenges of raising his eldest son through adolescence, recalling his own wild teenage years spent cycling through the city.
Academic struggles also surfaced as a source of humor and camaraderie. Yoo Jae-suk revealed he had been expelled from Seoul Institute of the Arts, while Jung Sang-hoon admitted to dropping out himself. “Expulsion and withdrawal are basically the same line,” Yoo joked, drawing laughs and a sense of solidarity. Ji Ye-eun, for her part, shared that it took her eight years to graduate from Korea National University of Arts due to repeated leaves of absence while she juggled auditions and part-time jobs. “I spent that time working odd jobs and chasing auditions,” she recalled, earning nods of understanding from her fellow entertainers.
Even the pressures of family gatherings were fair game. Yoo Yeon-seok confessed to dreading the perennial question from relatives: “When are you getting married?” His solution? Distract his nieces and nephews with games and hand out pocket money—though Yoo Jae-suk ribbed him, “Why not just give it to them? Why make them play games first?”
Through it all, Yoo Jae-suk kept the atmosphere light, deftly moving between generational perspectives and poking gentle fun at both his peers and himself. The show’s format—traveling through Ilsan, meeting locals, and sharing stories—provided a backdrop for these unscripted moments, blending celebrity glamour with everyday relatability.
As the episode wrapped up, it was clear that the special had struck a chord with viewers. The blend of sharp wit, open-hearted storytelling, and a willingness to poke fun at one’s own insecurities made for compelling television. Whether it was a misunderstood greeting, the trials of parenthood, or the awkwardness of family reunions, the cast of ‘틈만 나면’ managed to turn each moment into a shared laugh—or a knowing sigh.
For fans, the episode was a reminder that even as stars ascend, their quirks and foibles remain endearingly human. And sometimes, all it takes is a holiday special, a controversial cookie, and a bit of playful teasing to bring it all into focus.