The Aug. 19 episode delivered a series-high with 5.1% in the Seoul capital area and 4.5% nationwide, clinching No. 1 in its time slot among 20?49 viewers and overall households in the capital region―plus the top 20?49 rating among all Tuesday variety shows. Once again, "Whenever Possible" wrapped a season on a personal best, fueling anticipation for the next run and proving its momentum. (Source: Nielsen Korea)
On the night, Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok teamed with actors Cha Tae-hyun and Jang Hyuk, swinging by a sock shop in Ahyeon-dong and the National Theater of Korea―and the banter was nonstop.
Welcoming the final “Friend” pair of the season, Yoo Jae-suk quipped, “Tae-hyun always anchors our finales. When you’re on, ratings go up,” celebrating the return of the show’s resident “ending fairy.” Cha shot back with a grin, “I’m a sure bet,” cracking everyone up.
Cha also kept Jang Hyuk on his toes with relentless teasing. “Remember when you opened Hong Kyung-min’s concert? You missed every beat and note,” he needled. Jang snapped―jokingly―“Hey, you [bleep]!” prompting Yoo to step in as the language police: “For broadcast, let’s go with, ‘Hey! You rascal!’” Cue more laughter.
Their first stop’s “host” was the owner and staff of a neighborhood sock shop. “New socks cured my Monday blues,” the owner said, explaining how that small joy inspired the business. Armed with two bonus coupons, the group tackled Game 1: tossing socks into a laundry bin. After clearing Level 1 on the third try, Cha slipped on a pair from the shop for “good luck” and promptly nailed Level 2 on his seventh attempt. Level 3, however, narrowly got away. “There’s a little romance in failure, too,” the owner said, warming hearts as they moved on.
Next up: the National Dance Company at the National Theater. With one bonus coupon left, the final game was keeping a ping-pong ball aloft using a drum mallet. “I’m pretty good at ping-pong,” Yoo Yeon-seok said―and backed it up by clearing Level 1 on his first try. Then Jang Hyuk delivered a two-for-one on his sixth attempt, sailing through Level 2 in a single go. Channeling “Namsan mojo,” Cha borrowed a dance costume like a talisman―and just as he grabbed a stage prop sword before the ninth attempt, Yoo Yeon-seok smashed through Level 3 with another two-for-one, sealing an electrifying climax. In that moment, the capital-area rating spiked to 7%.
“I’m thrilled we got to end the season with a rush,” Yoo Yeon-seok said. Cha added, “With a finish like this, Season 4’s a lock. See you next year!” leaving viewers with a grin.
Season 3 moved up an hour to 9 p.m., cementing "Whenever Possible" as a true Tuesday dinner companion. Starting with Episode 21, it topped its previous season high at 5.8% peak (4.5% in the capital area, 1.9% in 20-49), and throughout the run, it ranked No. 1 in its slot―often leading both variety and drama among 20-49. The finale set a new series high yet again, underscoring the show’s dominance as Tuesday’s variety powerhouse.
What really clicked this season was the show’s expanded on-the-street conversations. Over three seasons, Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok have honed an easy, everyday rapport―like asking bus riders on the spot what it’s like to watch the shoot up close―delivering a true slice-of-life variety vibe. The result: a feel-good playground where any passerby can become the star, and the energy and laughter of the streets translate straight through the screen.
The “MC mom and son” dynamic between Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok also deepened. Yoo Jae-suk’s steady steering and Yoo Yeon-seok’s newly bold instincts clicked into a seasoned rhythm. Yoo Yeon-seok, in particular, grew into a core comedic engine―guiding conversations around fresh themes, going all-in on physical gags, and dreaming up new lunch-bet games each week, earning him the title of the show’s resident “lunch-game designer.” Paired with Yoo Jae-suk, their synergy became the show’s signature―and it helped bridge the gap between the hosts, their “Friend” guests, the everyday hosts they meet, and the people on the street, layering in more laughs along the way. Viewers raved, “Their banter is my laugh button,” “The way they keep the talk flowing is elite,” and “Their chemistry is the show’s secret sauce.”
Season 3 also featured a parade of “Friend” guests who brought the heat despite the summer swelter. Cha Seung-won and Gong Myoung set the tone with a fiery kickoff; Son Seok-koo and Kim Da-mi swept Levels 2 and 3 in one shot and lit up online communities; and Cho Yeo-jeong and Cho Jung-seok delivered a masterclass in variety―from quick wit to game sense―while topping last season’s best. In all, 30 “Friends” supercharged the season, each riffing with the MCs in their own way and pumping up the show’s signature dopamine energy.
All eyes now turn to Season 4―and what new adrenaline-spiking moments "Whenever Possible" will cook up next.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)