Yoo Jae-suk apologizes for first same-day recording cancellation in 35-year career

Broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk apologized at a rescheduled recording session after canceling a shoot on the day it was scheduled — the first such cancellation in his 35-year career.

SBS's "Teukmanna," a variety show, aired a preview of next week's episode at the end of Tuesday's broadcast. The episode set to air Monday was originally canceled due to Yoo's poor health on the scheduled shoot day and was later refilmed after the schedule was rearranged.

At the time, Yoo's agency Antenna said he had been forced to cancel the recording due to a sudden high fever caused by a cold, adding that he was focused on recovery and was coordinating a rescheduled shoot after seeking understanding from those involved.

Yoo said coverage of the incident had framed it as "the first time in 36 years" and suggested he had "collapsed," but said that was not the case. "It was just a throat cold. But my throat was so swollen that I thought, what if it's COVID-19 — I shouldn't be in contact with people," he said.

"After I got a shot, I felt fine right away that day," he continued. "So I asked the production team if we could just reshoot, and they said, 'Everyone already had dinner and went home' — so that was that." He laughed as he recounted the story.

Actors Shin Seung-ho and Chae Su-bin, who had been scheduled to appear on the canceled shoot, also returned for the rescheduled recording. Yoo thanked both of them for making time again, expressing his regret over the inconvenience.

Shin drew laughs when he said he had actually thought the whole thing was a hidden-camera prank.

It was the first time Yoo had canceled a same-day recording for health reasons since his debut at the first KBS College Gag Festival in 1991.

Yoo currently appears on several programs, including "Teukmanna" on SBS, "Happy Together — Better Together" on KBS 2TV, "Hangout with Yoo" on MBC, "You Quiz on the Block" on tvN, and "Sixth Sense: B-Side," also on tvN.