Breaking the mold with a character-driven, world-building spin on the traditional talk format, the Monday night series is hosted by variety stalwarts Tak Jae-hoon, Lee Sang-min, Lee Suji, and KAI of EXO. The debut notched a peak minute rating of 2.9% and a 0.9% in the coveted 20-49 demo, topping all competing entertainment shows in its time slot across channels, per Nielsen Korea (Seoul metro households).
The premiere opened inside a tongue-in-cheek prison set, where the four MCs met for the first time behind “bars.” Lee Su-ji ruled the roost as “Kill Boksoon,” hazing newbie inmate Tak Jae-hoon, while Lee Sang-min played the seasoned lifer, casually massaging Lee’s leg and breaking up the tension with laughs.
Enter KAI, who deadpanned his “charges” when asked why he was locked up: “Caught red-handed at a fan meeting ― grand larceny of hearts.” After bashfully explaining his heartthrob rep, he flipped the switch and launched into a cheeky “prison love shot” dance, immediately taking the lead. When Lee Suji pushed Tak through an initiation, he hesitated ― and KAI pounced, teasing, “The great Tak Jae-hoon is nervous?”
The first “cellblock guest,” MMA star Choo Sung-hoon, arrived with a mock rap sheet for “habitual overexposure born of excessive self-love.” “I knew this day would come,” Tak cracked, as Choo defended himself: “Fighters compete shirtless ― people who complain about that are the strange ones,” he said, flashing a photo spread from his early 30s that left the room stunned. When the show revisited Choo’s rumor of going commando, KAI boldly volunteered to verify ― and, after confirming with his own eyes, blurted, “You’re really not wearing any? What is happening?” sending everyone into hysterics.
Money talk followed. Asked if he invests beyond stocks, KAI admitted he’s a saver: “Spending is hard for me. Even with accessories, I agonize before I buy ― I can’t pull the trigger right away.” Tak shot back, “Let’s grab a meal. Give me 30 minutes and I’ll have you splurging.” Kai laughed, “Trying to make me spend? Everything’s locked up.”
Actor Jeon So-min stepped in as the second guest as the show shifted into a playful “2-on-2 date” universe, turning the hosts’ chemistry up another notch. When Lee Suji appeared as the first female participant opposite Tak and Kai, Tak immediately tried to bolt, cracking up the set. KAI, fully committed to the bit, asked, “Is your real name Ddu-ji?” and, clocking her pretend frailty, even escorted her like a gentleman ― cementing his status as the show’s all-purpose rookie ace.
Jeon So-min professed she’s a longtime Tak Jae-hoon fan. “You seem so unfiltered ― I love that,” Tak replied, then teased, “If this turned real, could you handle it?” Jeon volleyed back, “I could. I’m just scared we might actually start dating,” keeping the flirtatious banter flowing. Yet when it came to Kai, she couldn’t even hold a three-second gaze, proving she’s still the ever-flustered “love fool.”
With sharp banter and a fresh concept, “Real Talk” set the table for even bigger laughs ahead ― and KAI, already a standout in web variety, looks poised to shine even brighter here. From ribbing Tak in the opener to volleying every curveball from Lee Suji, he hinted at a whole new era for “variety star KAI.”
“Real Talk” airs Mondays at 10:10 p.m. KST.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)
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