[REVIEW] Talk show "Champagne" - SS501 special

"Shin Dong-yup and Shin Bong-sun's Champagne" KBS2-TV Saturday 11:25 p.m.

Dwelving out bold and frank comments and stories by being a bit disrespectful toward guests is the direction nighttime talk show "Champagne" takes on. That is why Shin Dong-yup's role as a host becomes even more important when an idol star appears on the show. His style of leading on conversations, such as helping his counterpart relax by teasing with jokes tossed about like jabs here and there or pointing out certain characteristics of that person after keeping their most trivial stories in mind, sometimes creates the most dynamic dialogue rather than letting the show end up looking like typical idol specials which end in Q&A sessions.

But the previous episode, which brought together all five members of idol group SS501 for the first time in a while, ended up being dull and bland compared to usual. Almost all of the entire show, including a group blind date which was set up to reveal individual skills of the members or reenacting a scene from KBS TV series "Boys Over Flowers", centered around the group's leader Kim Hyun-joong. And TV personalities Han Sung-joo and Shin Bong-sun, who usually speak on behalf of women in their 30s, made viewers feel uneasy as their remarks intended at expressing their affection for the young heartthrob hovered close to sexual harassment.

However, such unbalanced show hosting and dangerous expressions have become a trait of "Champagne" and we cannot help but admit to the fact that it is a guilty pleasure which has been gaining recognition. Despite all this, if it still seems that the bitter aftertaste overrides the memories of laughing over the show, it is most probably because of entertainer Boom's absence. "Champagne" has just become a collection of poorly arranged main ingredients without his remarks and actions which used to spice up the show at appropriate moments.

Reporter : Yoon Hee-Seong nine@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr