What happened on the show?

On MBC's variety show 'Nolmyeon Hanni?', a contestant of the '95 Seoul Song Festival known as 'Shawshank Escape' made a playful pledge of loyalty to host Yoo Jae-suk. The episode, airing October 17 at 6:30 PM KST, shows the re-selection round, where Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Heo Kyeong-hwan, and writer Joo Woo-jae meet with contestants who were held back from the first preliminary round.

Who is Shawshank Escape?

The contestant gained attention in the first preliminary round by performing a live song from 'inside prison,' a first for the festival. In the new episode, they 'escape' from prison to take part in the re-selection round. When asked about their age, they avoided the question by singing a song, which Yoo Jae-suk guessed reflected an older generation.

Why is the pledge drawing laughs?

After describing their experience of applying to multiple audition programs, the contestant told Yoo Jae-suk they would 'lie low' and do anything asked of them, saying they had almost no backbone. Yoo Jae-suk responded that their passion was remarkable.

For international fans

'Nolmyeon Hanni?' is one of MBC's long-running variety shows, known for its guest-driven comedy. Last summer, the show held a special '80s MBC Seoul Song Festival' that featured stars including Kim Hee-ae, Lee Juck, and Solar, which drew high ratings and online buzz.