On the evening of February 17, 2026, viewers across South Korea tuned in for a special Lunar New Year episode of SBS’s popular variety show 틈만 나면, (Whenever There’s a Gap), and what they got was a delightful blend of humor, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of holiday chaos. The episode, which aired at 8:20 PM, brought together a star-studded cast: beloved MCs Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, joined by actors Jung Sang-hoon and Ji Ye-eun. Their mission? To spread some festive cheer in Ilsan, tackle quirky challenges, and maybe—just maybe—create some unforgettable television moments.
From the get-go, the chemistry among the four was palpable. According to Sports Chosun, Ji Ye-eun, known for her lively personality, wasted no time in setting her sights on Yoo Yeon-seok, openly declaring a one-sided romantic interest—or as she put it, an “unilateral flirtation.” Her reason? Yoo Yeon-seok’s gentle and attentive demeanor. “What’s this? You’re so sweet!” she exclaimed, unable to hide her excitement when he showed her even the smallest kindness. The two found themselves sitting together on a bus, and the playful tension was hard to miss.
Ji Ye-eun, a self-confessed fan of Yoo Yeon-seok’s work, especially the hit drama Hospital Playlist, tried to impress him with her knowledge. “I really enjoyed Hospital Playlist,” she gushed. But when Yoo Yeon-seok cheekily asked, “Do you know my character’s name?” she hesitated before blurting out, “Gwak Jun-pal teacher?” The answer was hilariously off the mark, sending the entire bus—and viewers at home—into fits of laughter. Still, her good-natured grin and quick wit kept the mood light.
The banter didn’t stop there. When Yoo Yeon-seok missed their bus stop, Ji Ye-eun joked that it was because he’d been “completely fallen” for her, a claim that drew more laughs from the group. Ever the comedic anchor, Yoo Jae-suk jumped in to tease, “Ye-eun has a lot of celebrity friends who like her—Yoon Nam-no, Miki Kwang-soo, Yoo Hee-kwan, Yang Se-chan,” rattling off names to everyone’s amusement, as reported by News1.
But the episode wasn’t all about playful flirting. The cast was soon put to the test with a series of Lunar New Year-themed missions, the highlight being a group jump rope challenge. As MHN detailed, the group’s goal was to complete the challenge and deliver gifts to their so-called “틈 friends” at a local fire station. The catch? Ji Ye-eun, despite her “elementary school-level muscle mass,” was famously clumsy and terrified of the jump rope. “What should we do about Ye-eun?” Yoo Jae-suk worried aloud, knowing her reputation for lacking rhythm.
True to form, Ji Ye-eun struggled to match the timing, repeatedly tripping over the rope and quickly becoming the group’s wild card. Her fear was so real that she sat down before even starting, admitting, “I’m scared of the rope spinning.” But the team wouldn’t let her give up. Yoo Yeon-seok, stepping into the role of supportive coach, suggested they jump together and offered one-on-one training. “Ye-eun, look at me! Jump with me!” he encouraged, as the rest of the group cheered her on.
Even with all the encouragement, Ji Ye-eun hesitated. “I won’t go in with you. I’m scared,” she confessed, drawing laughter from everyone. Yoo Jae-suk, always ready with a quirky solution, tried to motivate her: “Ye-eun, imagine there are knives coming under you!” The bizarre advice worked—eventually, Ji Ye-eun mustered up the courage, found her rhythm, and the team succeeded in the challenge, sharing a moment of collective triumph.
The challenges didn’t end there. For the second mission, the group had to relay a ping-pong ball while jump roping—a task that proved even more demanding. As fatigue set in, Jung Sang-hoon’s competitive spirit took center stage. According to Spotv News, he began removing layers of clothing after each failed attempt, much to the shock and amusement of his teammates. “It’s not about how I look right now!” he declared, determined to motivate the group by any means necessary. Yoo Jae-suk, ever the straight man, tried to stop him: “Sang-hoon, you’re going to end up taking everything off!” But Jung Sang-hoon was undeterred, even launching into a playful “Yangkochi and Tsingtao” routine to lighten the mood.
In the end, their perseverance paid off. The team succeeded in the bonus round, and their “틈 friends” were rewarded with functional T-shirts and ski resort accommodation vouchers. The recipients expressed their gratitude, saying, “Thank you,” while Yoo Jae-suk responded warmly, “It was wise of you to decide to stop the challenge.”
The episode also offered a glimpse behind the scenes, with Ji Ye-eun sharing the emotional story of her acceptance speech at the 2025 SBS Entertainment Awards. She revealed that seeing her senior colleagues, especially the Running Man cast, often brought her to tears because of their support during tough times. “Senior Jae-suk called me a lot when I was struggling,” she said, a revelation that left Yoo Jae-suk visibly touched.
Throughout the evening, the cast’s playful energy and genuine affection for each other shone through. The blend of competitive spirit, holiday warmth, and unscripted humor made for a memorable episode that captured the essence of Korean variety entertainment. Whether it was Ji Ye-eun’s courageous attempts at jump rope, Yoo Yeon-seok’s gentle coaching, Jung Sang-hoon’s relentless enthusiasm, or Yoo Jae-suk’s quick wit, each member played a vital role in the show’s success.
As families across Korea gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year, 틈만 나면, offered the perfect mix of laughter, lighthearted competition, and heartwarming moments—a true reflection of the holiday spirit, and a reminder that sometimes, the best memories are made in the most unexpected gaps.