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Two Yoo Project Sugar Man

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Two Yoo Project Sugar Man
Promotional poster of season 1
Genre
Directed byKim Noh-eun, Kim Sol, Shim Woo-ji, Shin Gi-eun, Lee Soo-ah, Baek Soo-jin
Presented by
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes72 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerYoon Hyun-joon
Running time80 minutes
Original release
NetworkJTBC
ReleaseAugust 19, 2015 (2015-08-19) –
March 6, 2020 (2020-03-06)

Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man (Korean투유 프로젝트 – 슈가맨) is a 2015 South Korean television program starring various artists. The original 2-episode pilot aired at 22:50 (KST) on Wednesday (August 19 & 26, 2015) under the name Two Yoo Project Searching For Sugar Man (투유프로젝트 슈가맨을 찾아서). The regular broadcast of Season 1, hosted by Yoo Jae-suk, You Hee-yeol, Kim Eana and Sandara Park, kicked off beginning October 20, 2015, every Tuesday at 22:50 (KST), ended on July 12, 2016.[1]

Season 2 airs starting January 14, 2018, every Sunday at 22:40 (KST). Park Na-rae and Joy (Red Velvet) join as MCs alongside Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol.[2][3] The last episode of season 2 was aired on May 27, 2018.[4][5][6]

Season 3 is confirmed to air from November 29, 2019, every Friday at 21:00 (KST). Kim Eana, who returns after being one of the MCs for Season 1, and Heize will join as MCs alongside Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol.[7] The last episode of season 3 was aired on March 6, 2020.

Synopsis

[edit]

The idea for the program began with the documentary Searching For Sugar Man, which refers to the 2012 Swedish–British documentary about American musician Sixto Rodriguez, who faded into obscurity in the United States but somehow ended up as a megastar in South Africa.[8]

The program revolves around the battle of two teams led by Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Hee-yeol. Each team will bring back a "Sugar Man": the singer who was a one-hit wonder, but has since disappeared from the public eye. The two teams recreate the old song, "Sugar Song", into new versions which will make them appealing to today's music market. To relive their glory, the songs will be recreated by each producer from each team with today's artist, "Show Man", who are slated to change every episode.[9]

Cast

[edit]

Pilot

[edit]

Season 1

[edit]

Season 2

[edit]

Season 3

[edit]
Team Yoo Jae-suk Team Yoo Hee-yeol
MC

List of episodes

[edit]
  – Team Yoo Jae-suk
  – Team You Hee-yeol

Pilot

[edit]
Pilot episode 1 and 2
Episode # Broadcast Date Sugar Man Sugar Song Show Man Winning team
1 August 19, 2015 Kim Joon-seon [ko] 아라비안 나이트 (Arabian Night) Hani (EXID) Jaesuk team
Park Joon-hee [ko] 눈 감아 봐도 (Closing Eyes) Sojin (Girl's Day), Mad Clown
2 August 26, 2015 Yoo Seung-beom 질투 (Jealousy) Jimin (AOA), John Park Jaesuk team
Kim Boo-yong [ko] 풍요 속 빈곤 (Poverty Midst Plenty) Sungkyu (Infinite), Kyungri (Nine Muses)

Season 1

[edit]
List of episodes in season 1

2015

[edit]
Episode # Broadcast Date Sugar Man Sugar Song Show Man Winning team
1 October 20, 2015 Mr. 2 [ko] 하얀 겨울 (White Winter) B1A4[a] Heeyeol team1st
H 잊었니 (Did You Forget) Apink[b]
2 October 27, 2015 Gu Bon-seung 너 하나만을 위해 (Only for You) Dynamic Duo[12] Jaesuk team1st
Juliet 기다려 늑대 (Wait a Second) Jessi[12]
3 November 3, 2015 Choi Yong-joon [ko] 아마도 그건 (Perhaps That) Crush & Loco Heeyeol team2nd
V.ONE [ko] 그런가 봐요 (I Guess So) Choa (AOA)
4 November 10, 2015 Park Joon-ha [ko] 너를 처음 만난 그때 (The First Time I Met You) Hwang Chi-yeul & Baek A-yeon Jaesuk team2nd
Emerald Castle [ko] 발걸음 (Step) 10cm
5[c] November 17, 2015 Rich [ko] 사랑해 이 말밖엔 (Only the Words That I Love You) Jonghyun (Shinee)[13] Jaesuk team3rd
izi [ko][d] 응급실 (Emergency Room) Jung Seung-hwan[13]
6 November 24, 2015 J.ae 어제처럼 (Like Yesterday) Mamamoo[e] Jaesuk team4th
Kim Min-woo [ko] 사랑일 뿐야 (Just a Love) f(x)[f]
7 December 1, 2015 Miss Mister [ko] 널 위한 거야 (It's for You) Lena Park Heeyeol team3rd
Bank [ko] 가질 수 없는 너 (Can't Have You) Gummy
8 December 8, 2015 Late Seo Ji-won [ko][g] 내 눈물 모아 (With My Tears) Lyn Heeyeol team4th
Late Park Yong-ha[h] 처음 그날처럼 (Like the First Day) Noel[i]
9 December 15, 2015 Rumors Storm Brown Eyed Girls[j][14] Heeyeol team5th
Kim Hyun-sung [ko] Heaven Jo Kwon (2AM)[14]
10 December 22, 2015 Kang Sung 야인 (Rustic) Roy Kim (Tie)
Jung Jae-wook [ko] 잘 가요 (Goodbye) Huh Gak
11 December 29, 2015 Seo Joo-kyung [ko] 당돌한 여자 (Daring Woman) Twice[k][15] Jaesuk team5th
Im Joo-ri [ko] 립스틱 짙게 바르고 (Thick Lipstick) Lovelyz[l][15]

2016

[edit]
Episode # Broadcast Date Sugar Man Sugar Song Show Man Winning team
12 January 5, 2016 Ha.E.D 진이 (Geenie) Ock Joo-hyun Heeyeol team6th
Yada [ko] 이미 슬픈 사랑 (Already Sad Love) Lee Young-hyun [ko] (Big Mama)
13 January 12, 2016 Noise [ko] 너에게 원한 건 (What I Wanted from You) Red Velvet[m] Heeyeol team7th
상상 속의 너 (You in My Imagination) Orange Caramel[n]
14 January 19, 2016 Mose [ko] 사랑인걸 (It's Love) iKON[o] Heeyeol team8th
Kim Don-gyu [ko] 나만의 슬픔 (My Own Grief) Homme
15 January 26, 2016 Papaya 사랑 만들기 (Making Love) K.Will Jaesuk team6th
Indigo 여름아 부탁해 (Summer, Please) Na Yoon-kwon
16 February 2, 2016 Page 이별이 오지 못 하게 (So That There's No Goodbye) Kim Tae-woo (g.o.d) Jaesuk team7th
Leeds [ko] 그댄 행복에 살 텐데 (You May Live in Happiness) Kim Bum-soo
17 February 9, 2016 Cha Tae-hyun I Love You Jung Joon-young Jaesuk team8th
Bobo 늦은 후회 (Late Regret) Younha
18 February 16, 2016 Goofy[p] 많이 많이 (Much Much) U Sung-eun[16] & Truedy [ko][16] Heeyeol team9th
Ryang Hyun Ryang Ha [ko] 학교를 안 갔어 (I Didn't Go to School!) Kangnam[16] & Cheetah[16]
19 February 23, 2016 Jung Il-young 기도 (Prayer) Ailee Heeyeol team10th
K2 [ko] 그녀의 연인에게 (To Her Lover) Jung Eun-ji (Apink)
20 March 1, 2016 Kona 우리의 밤은 당신의 낮보다 아름답다
(Our Night Is More Beautiful Than Your Day)
Kim Jo-han Heeyeol team11th
Lee Hyun-seob [ko] My Love Lim Jeong-hee
21 March 8, 2016 Hey [ko] 쥬 뗌므 (Je t'aime) Winner[q][17] Heeyeol team12th
Han Kyung-il [ko] 한 사람을 사랑했네 (I've Loved Just One Person) Kyuhyun (Super Junior)[17]
22 March 15, 2016 Hwang Kyu-young [ko] 나는 문제 없어 (I Have No Problems) Lee Hae-ri (Davichi) Heeyeol team13th
Cha Soo-kyung [ko] 용서 못 해 (Can't Forgive) Son Seung-yeon
23 March 22, 2016 Mono 넌 언제나 (You Are Always) Simon Dominic and Gray Jaesuk team9th
Juju Club [ko] 나는 나 (I Am Me) Rose Motel [ko]
24 March 29, 2016 Loveholics[r] Loveholic Gummy Heeyeol team14th
Flower Endless Cha Ji-yeon
25 April 5, 2016 To-Ya [ko] 봐 (Look) Minah (Girl's Day) Heeyeol team15th
DIVA Up and Down Haha & Skull
26 April 12, 2016 The Nuts [ko][s] 사랑의 바보 (Love Fool) Lee Hi Heeyeol team16th
The Name [ko] The Name Park Bo-ram
27 April 19, 2016 Esther 뭐를 잘못한 거니 (What Did I Do Wrong) Jungyup (Brown Eyed Soul) Jaesuk team10th
Take[t] 나비 무덤 (Butterfly Grave) Lee Seok-hoon (SG Wannabe)
28 April 26, 2016 Banana Girl [ko][u] 엉덩이 (Hips) I.O.I[v] Jaesuk team11th
Chuli and Miae [ko] 너는 왜 (Why Do You) Jessi & Hanhae (Phantom)
29 May 3, 2016 Son Ji-chang 사랑하고 있다는 걸 (That I'm in Love) Lee Yi-kyung Jaesuk team12th
Na Hyun-hee 사랑하지 않을 거야 (I Won't Love) Lee Sung-kyung
30 May 10, 2016 Space A [ko][w] 섹시한 남자 (Sexy Guy) Mamamoo Jaesuk team13th
Riaa [ko] 눈물 (Tears) V.O.S
31 May 17, 2016 Youme [ko][x] 사랑은 언제나 목마르다 (Love Is Always Thirsty) Noel[i] Heeyeol team17th
Hyeryung [ko] 슬픔을 참는 세 가지 방법 (Three Ways to Endure Sadness) Homme
32 May 24, 2016 Do Won-kyung [ko] 다시 사랑한다면 (If I Love Again) Exo[y] Jaesuk team14th
TheThe [ko][z] 내게 다시 (To Me Again) EXID[aa]
33
(special)[ab]
May 31, 2016 Y2K [ko][ac] 헤어진 후에 (After Breaking Up) DickPunks[ad] Heeyeol team18th
S#arp[ae] 스위티 (Sweety) DinDin & Yoon Bo-mi (Apink)
UP [ko][af] 뿌요뿌요 (Puyo Puyo) Oh My Girl[ag]
Two Two[ah] 일과 이분의 일 (One and a Half) Nam Woo-hyun (Infinite)
34 June 7, 2016 The Jadu[ai] 대화가 필요해 (We Need to Talk) Son Seung-yeon Heeyeol team19th
Green Area [ko][aj] 준비 없는 이별 (Unprepared Farewell) Lee Young-hyun [ko] (Big Mama)
35 June 14, 2016 Lee Ye-rin [ko] 늘 지금처럼 (Come On Baby Tonight) Akdong Musician Jaesuk team15th
Zam [ko][ak] 난 멈추지 않는다 (Never Stop) Kwon Jin-ah & Sam Kim
36 June 21, 2016 KISS 여자이니까 (Because I'm a Girl) Davichi Jaesuk team16th
Cleo[al] Good Time Fiestar[am]
37
(special)[an]
June 28, 2016 F-iV Girl [ao] [ap]
Lee Soo-hoon [ko] 고백 (Confession) (Temptation of Wolves OST)
Magolpy [ko] 비행소녀 (Flying Girl)
Lee Jang-woo [ko] 훈련소로 가는 길 (Way to Go to a Training Camp)
KCM 흑백사진 (Black and White Photo)
38 July 5, 2016 Buck [ko] 맨발의 청춘 (Barefooted Youth) Seo In-young & Kim Tae-woo (g.o.d) Heeyeol team20th
UN 선물 (Gift) Baek A-yeon & Sandeul (B1A4)
39 July 12, 2016 Sugar Man highlights special and a few former Sugar Men's little interviews of their daily lives
Notes
  1. ^ Performance by Baro and Jinyoung.
  2. ^ Performance by Yoon Bo-mi and Kim Nam-joo.
  3. ^ Special appearances by DIA (Yebin, Eunjin, Chaeyeon) and Romeo in the audience.
  4. ^ Only the main vocalist Oh Jin-sung appeared.
  5. ^ Performance by Solar and Moonbyul.
  6. ^ Performance by Amber and Luna.
  7. ^ Special piano performance by Jung Jae-hyung.
  8. ^ Special piano performance by Kim Hyung-seok [ko].
  9. ^ a b Performance by Kang Kyun-sung and Jeon Woo-sung.
  10. ^ Performance by JeA and Gain.
  11. ^ Performance by Nayeon, Jihyo, Tzuyu and Chaeyoung.
  12. ^ Performance by Mijoo, Kei, Jin and Sujeong.
  13. ^ Performance by Irene, Seulgi, Wendy and Yeri.
  14. ^ Performance by Raina and Lizzy.
  15. ^ Performance by Bobby, Donghyuk and Ju-ne.
  16. ^ Performance by Lee Seung-kwang, Park Seong-ho and Shin Dong-wook [ko].
  17. ^ Performance by Minho, Seungyoon and Taehyun.
  18. ^ Only the ex-member Jisun [ko] appeared.
  19. ^ Performance by Kim Hyun-joong, Park Joon-sik, Kim Woo-kyung and Ji Hyun-woo.
  20. ^ Performance by all current and former members, except Lee Min-hyuk.
  21. ^ Only the ex-member Ahn Soo-ji [ko] appeared.
  22. ^ Special performance by all I.O.I members with their song "Pick Me". Only Jeon So-mi, Kim Se-jeong and Choi Yoo-jung represented their group in the discussion segment.
  23. ^ Performance by Park Jae-goo, Kim Hyun-jung and Jason.
  24. ^ Special appearance by Kim Jung-eun.
  25. ^ Performance by Chanyeol and Chen.
  26. ^ Performance by Park Hye-kyung [ko].
  27. ^ Performance by Solji and Hani.
  28. ^ Each team has two groups of Sugar Man and two groups of Show Man; the Show Man performs the Sugar Song together with their Sugar Man in the opening, along with other songs of the groups of Sugar Man.
  29. ^ Only the member Go Jae-geun [ko] appeared.
  30. ^ Performance by Kim Hyun-woo and Kim Tae-hyun.
  31. ^ Only the member Lee Ji-hye and Jang Seok-hyun [ko] appeared.
  32. ^ Only the member Park Sang-hoo and Kim Yong-il appeared.
  33. ^ Performance by Mimi and Seunghee.
  34. ^ Performance by Hwang Hye-young [ko], along with two ex-members Oh Ji-hoon [ko] and Yoo Hyun-jae [ko].
  35. ^ Performance by Jadu [ko] and ex-member Kang Doo.
  36. ^ Performance by Kwak Chang-seon [ko] and ex-member Kwon Seon-kook [ko].
  37. ^ Performance by all members except Jo Jin-soo.
  38. ^ Performance by Kong Seo-young [ko], Chae Eun-jung [ko] and Kim Ha-na.
  39. ^ Performance by Cao Lu, Linzy and Yezi.
  40. ^ Special appearances by Seo Jang-hoon, Sojin (Girl's Day), Chaeyeon (I.O.I/DIA) and Jung Da-bin as representative of 40's, 30's, 20's and 10's spectators.
  41. ^ There is no Show Man in this episode.
  42. ^ This episode has no voting segment, therefore there are no results.

Season 2

[edit]
List of episodes in season 2
Episode # Broadcast Date Sugar Man Sugar Song Show Man Winning team Ref.
1 January 14, 2018 Young Turks Club[a] 정 (Affection) Gugudan[b] Jaesuk team1st [c][18][19]
Lee Ji-yeon [ko] 바람아 멈추어다오 (Wind Please Stop Blowing) NU'EST W
2 January 21, 2018 Position [ko][d] I Love You Gummy Jaesuk team2nd [e][20][21][22]
Kim Sang-min [ko] You MeloMance
3 January 28, 2018 Se Se Se [ko] 떠날거야 (I'm Leaving) Red Velvet Heeyeol team1st [23][24][25][26]
K'Pop 그림자 (Shadow) Astro
4 February 4, 2018 Dog[f] 경아의 하루 (Kyung-ah's Day) Seenroot Jaesuk team3rd [g][27][28]
Girl[h] 아스피린 (Aspirin) Yang Yo-seob (Highlight) & Yun Ddan Ddan [ko]
5 February 11, 2018 D.Bace [ko][i] 모든 것을 너에게 (Everything to You) iKON Heeyeol team2nd [29][30]
Paran[j] 첫사랑 (First Love) Soyou & Jeong Se-woon
6 February 25, 2018 Jinu [ko] 엉뚱한 상상 (Odd Imagination) Sunny (Girls' Generation) & Henry Heeyeol team3rd [31][32]
Adam [ko] 세상엔 없는 사랑 (A Love That's Not in the World) Urban Zakapa
7 March 4, 2018 KOLA[k] 우울한 우연 (Gloomy Coincidence) Mamamoo Jaesuk team4th [l][33][34]
7 Princess [ko][m] Love Song Oh My Girl
8 March 11, 2018 Ex [ko][n] 잘 부탁 드립니다 (Nice to Meet You) Cosmic Girls[o] Heeyeol team4th [p][35][36]
2Shai [ko] Love Letter Jang Deok Cheol
9 March 18, 2018 Lee Hye-young 라 돌체 비타 (La Dolce Vita) Wanna One[q] Jaesuk team5th [r][37][38]
Lee Ji-hoon 왜 하늘은... (Why Is the Sky) Baek A-yeon & Park Ji-min
10 March 25, 2018 Cult [ko][s] 너를 품에 안으면 (If I Hold You in My Arms) GB9 [ko] Jaesuk team6th [t][39][40]
5tion[u] More Than Words Davichi
11 April 1, 2018 Late Kim Sung-jae[v] 말하자면 (As I Told You) Monsta X Heeyeol team5th [w][41][42]
Late Choi Jin-young[x] 영원 (Eternity) B1A4
12 April 8, 2018 Jewelry[y] One More Time Weki Meki[z] Heeyeol team6th [aa][43][44]
One Two [ko] 자~엉덩이 (Now, Hips) EXID[ab]
13 April 15, 2018 Ann [ko] 혼자하는 사랑 (Love Alone) Brown Eyed Soul[ac] Jaesuk team7th [ad][45][46]
Lee Ki-chan 감기 (Cold) BtoB Blue
14 April 22, 2018 Ran [ko][ae] 어쩌다가 (Somehow) Sunwoo Jung-a Jaesuk team8th [af][47][48]
Lee Jeong-bong [ko] 어떤가요 (How Is It Going) Jung Seung-hwan
15 April 29, 2018 Witches [ko][ag] 떳다! 그녀 (There She Is) None[ah] Yoo Jae-suk[ai] 4 MCs Pick Special
[49][50]
Jang Yeon-joo [ko][aj] Something Special
Kang Woo-jin [ko][ak] Love
Son Sang-mi [ko][al] 헤라의 질투 (Hye-ra's Jealousy)
16 May 6, 2018 EZ-Life 너 말고 니 언니 (Not You But Your Unnie) K.Will & DinDin Heeyeol team7th [am][51][52]
Butterfly Effect [ko][an] 첫사랑 (First Love) Winner
17 May 13, 2018 Tim 사랑합니다 (I Love You) Forestella[ao] Jaesuk team9th [ap][53][54]
Kim Hyung-joong [ko] 그랬나봐 (Maybe) UNB[aq]
18 May 20, 2018 Yang Dong-geun 골목길 (Alley) Bastarz Jaesuk team10th [ar][55][56]
Jang Na-ra Sweet Dream Lovelyz[as]
19 May 27, 2018 Solid 천생연분 (Soul Mates) Hi Suhyun Heeyeol team8th [at][58][59][60]
이 밤의 끝을 잡고 (Holding the End of this Night) Hanhae & Jung Eun-ji (Apink)
Notes
  1. ^ Performance by current members Im Sung-eun, Han Hyun-nam, Choi Seung-min, Park Sung-hyun and Song Jin-ah.
  2. ^ Performance by Mimi, Hana, Sejeong, Mina and Hyeyeon.
  3. ^ Special appearances via video by Lee Hyori's voice and Lee Sang-soon [ko].
  4. ^ Performance by Im Jae-wook [ko].
  5. ^ Special appearance via video by Seo Min-jung.
  6. ^ Performance by Wax and Lee Hyuk-joon.
  7. ^ Special appearance via video by Go Jae-geun (Y2K [ko]).
  8. ^ Performance by Kim Se-heon [ko].
  9. ^ Performance by Jed [ko], Song Ji-hoon, Oh Soo-an and Nam Hyun-joon.
  10. ^ Performance by PO, Ace, Ryan and AJ.
  11. ^ Performance by Park Joon-hee, Kim Young-wan [ko] and Kim Song [ko].
  12. ^ Special appearances via video by Uhm Jung-hwa and Tzuyu (Twice).
  13. ^ Performance by Oh In-young, Hwang Se-hee, Kwon Go-eun, Hwang Ji-woo, Lee Young-yoo, Kim Sung-ryung and Park Yoo-rim.
  14. ^ Performance by Lee Sang-mi [ko].
  15. ^ Only Bona, Exy, Cheng Xiao, Dayoung and Yeonjung represented the group in the discussion segment.
  16. ^ Special appearance via video by Brian (Fly to the Sky).
  17. ^ Only Ong Seong-wu, Kim Jae-hwan, Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Bae Jin-young and Lee Dae-hwi represented the group in the discussion segment.
  18. ^ Special appearance via video by Yoona (Girls' Generation).
  19. ^ Performance by Kim Joon-seon [ko], Son Jeong-han [ko] and Jeon Seung-woo [ko].
  20. ^ Special appearance via video by Seungri (Big Bang).
  21. ^ Performance by Hwang Sung-hwan, Son Il-kwon, Lee Tae-kyung, Lee Hyun [ko] and Oh Byung-jin.
  22. ^ Performance by his younger brother, singer Kim Sung-wook [ko].
  23. ^ Guest appearances on the discussion segment by Lee Bon [ko] and Jini. Special appearance via video by So Ji-sub.
  24. ^ Performance by Jo Jang-hyuk [ko], Kang Hyun-soo [ko] and Flower's Go Sung-jin.
  25. ^ Performance by Park Jung-ah, Seo In-young, Ha Joo-yeon [ko] and Kim Eun-jung [ko].
  26. ^ Only Ji Su-yeon, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Do-yeon and Lucy represented the group in the discussion segment.
  27. ^ Joy did not appear in this episode due to other schedules and was replaced by Seol In-ah as special MC. Special appearance via video by Lee Min-woo (Shinhwa).
  28. ^ Performance by all members except Solji.
  29. ^ Performance by Jungyup and Youngjun.
  30. ^ Special appearances in the audience by Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae and Bizzy. Special appearance via video by Jin Seon-kyu.
  31. ^ Performance by Jeon Cho-ah [ko]
  32. ^ Special appearances via video by Son Ho-young (g.o.d) and Kim Sang-min [ko].
  33. ^ Yoo Jae-suk's pick. Performance by main vocalist Ha Yang-soo.
  34. ^ There is no Show Man in this episode.
  35. ^ Ranking decided based on the difference in predicted number of light bulbs lit and the actual number of light bulbs lit. The lowest difference wins.
  36. ^ Joy's pick.
  37. ^ You Hee-yeol's pick.
  38. ^ Park Na-rae's pick.
  39. ^ Special appearances via video by Jung Joon-young and Kim Soo-mi.
  40. ^ Only former main vocalist Bada Kim appeared.
  41. ^ Performance by Kang Hyung-ho, Jo Min-gyu and Go Woo-rim.
  42. ^ Special appearance via video by Son Ye-jin.
  43. ^ Performance by Euijin, Feeldog, Go Ho-jung, Jun, Chan and Kijung.
  44. ^ Guest appearance on the discussion segment by Lee Jae-min. Special appearances via video by Sandara Park and Dynamic Duo.
  45. ^ Only Baby Soul, Mijoo, Kei and Yein represented the group in the discussion segment.
  46. ^ Joy did not appear in this episode due to other schedules and was replaced by Kim Eana as special MC. Special performance and appearance by KRNFX. The trio of Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Hee-yeol and Kim Jo-han, named 하우두유둘 (How Do Yoo Dul), have especially re-performed their song "Please Don't Go My Girl" which was released for the first time in MBC's Infinite Challenge's 2013 Freeway Song Festival.[57]

Season 3

[edit]
List of episodes in season 3

2019

[edit]
Episode # Broadcast Date Sugar Man Sugar Song Show Man Winning team Ref.
1 November 29, 2019 Taesaja [ko] 도 (The Way) Pentagon[a] Jaesuk team1st [b][61][62][63]
Choi Yeon-je [ko] 너의 마음을 내게 준다면 (If You Give Your Heart to Me) Heize & Colde
2 December 6, 2019 Yang Joon-il 리베카 (Rebecca) Kim Jae-hwan Jaesuk team2nd [c][64][65][66]
Lee So-eun [ko] 서방님 (My Husband) Hoppipolla
3 December 13, 2019 A.R.T[d] 슬픈얼굴 (Sad Face) Lovelyz Heeyeol team1st [e][67][68][69]
As One 원하고 원망하죠 (Desire and Resentment) Daybreak
4 December 20, 2019 LPG[f] 캉캉 (Can Can) Momoland Heeyeol team2nd [g][70][71][72]
45RPM [ko][h] 즐거운 생활 (Enjoyable Life) Giant Pink & Kisum

2020

[edit]
Episode # Broadcast Date Sugar Man Sugar Song Show Man Winning team Ref.
5 January 3, 2020 Choi Bool-am & Jeong Yeo-jin [ko] 아빠의 말씀 (Father's Words) Yang Dong-geun & Kim Kang-hoon Heeyeol team3rd [i][73][74][75]
Kim Kook-hwan [ko] & Kim Ki-hyung[j] 아빠와 함께 뚜비뚜바 (Ddu-bi Ddu-ba with Father) UV [ko]
6 January 10, 2020 Jang Hyun-chul [ko][k] 걸어서 하늘까지 (Walking to the Sky) None[l] Yoo Jae-suk & Ha Sung-woon[m] 100 Light Bulbs Special
[n][76][77][78][79]
Yang Hye-seung [ko][o] 화려한 싱글 (Splendid Single)
Gloomy 30's[p] 바꿔 (Change)
7 January 17, 2020 Freestyle [ko][q] Y Kwon Jin-ah & Big Naughty Jaesuk team3rd Complete Group Special
[r][80][81][82]
Travel Sketches [ko][s] 별이 진다네 (Falling Star) Solji (EXID)
8 January 24, 2020 Shin Shin-ae 세상은 요지경 (Crazy World) Sunwoo Jung-a Jaesuk team4th Lunar New Year – Trot Special
[t][83][84][85]
Moon Joo-ran [ko] 남자는 여자를 귀찮게 해 (Men Bother Women) Jung Seung-hwan
9 January 31, 2020 Kim Jung-min 슬픈 언약식 (Sad Promise) Kim Feel Jaesuk team5th Back in the Days Special
[u][86][87][88]
Kim Won-jun Show (G)I-DLE
10 February 7, 2020 Joy-D 9 to 5 SF9[v] Jaesuk team6th Torn Up Special
[w][89][90][91]
Jinju 난 괜찮아 (I Will Survive) Monni
11 February 14, 2020 Marronnier[x] 칵테일 사랑 (Cocktail Love) GFriend Heeyeol team4th Finding That Song Again Special
[y][92][93][94]
The Cross [ko] Don't Cry N.Flying
12 February 21, 2020 Jeong In-ho 해요 (We Have To) Younha Jaesuk team7th Eardrum Mate Special
[z][95][96][97]
SeeYa[aa] 사랑의 인사 (Love's Greeting) Jukjae
13 February 28, 2020 Lee Soo-young 라라라 (Lalala) Soran Heeyeol team5th Summon 1999 Special
[ab][98][99][100]
Kim Sa-rang Feeling Hynn
14 March 6, 2020 Zaza [ko][ac] 버스 안에서 (In the Bus) Kei (Lovelyz) & Golden Child (Jangjun & Tag) Heeyeol team6th Double 100 Light Bulbs Challenge Special
[ad][101][102][103]
Jatanpung [ko] 너에게 난 나에게 넌 (Me to You and You to Me) Jung Eun-ji (Apink)
Notes
  1. ^ Only Hui, Hongseok, Yeo One and Kino represented the group in the discussion segment.
  2. ^ Special appearances via video by the cast of The Gentlemen's League, Park Sung-woong and Ji Suk-jin.
  3. ^ Special appearances via video by Lee Seung-hwan and Noh Sa-yeon.
  4. ^ Performance by Kim Min-soo, Park Sung-joon and Kim Sung-chan.
  5. ^ Special appearances via video by Shin Dong-yup and Kim Jong-min (Koyote).
  6. ^ Performance by the 1st Generation members Hanyoung [ko], Yeonoh [ko] and Yoonah [ko]. The 2nd Generation members Sooyeon, Gayeon, Semi, Yumi and Eunbyul have also appeared and performed "사랑의 초인종 (Doorbell of Love)", which would not be the Sugar Song to be performed by the Show Man, Momoland.
  7. ^ Special appearance via video by Kim Gu-ra.
  8. ^ Performance by Lee Hyun-bae [ko] and Park Jae-jin.
  9. ^ Special appearances via video by Yoo Min-sang [ko] and Kim Soo-young [ko].
  10. ^ Son of Kim Kook-hwan
  11. ^ Yoo Jae-suk and Ha Sung-woon's pick
  12. ^ There is no Show Man in this episode.
  13. ^ Different from usual episodes, a losing team is chosen instead for this episode. The team which has the lowest number of light bulbs lit will receive a penalty.
  14. ^ Guest appearances by Hwang Kwanghee (ZE:A) and Ha Sung-woon (Hotshot) as special MCs. Special appearances via video by the cast of Knowing Bros, Kim Kyung-ho, Lee Guk-joo and Kim Jun-hyun.
  15. ^ Kim Eana and Heize's pick
  16. ^ You Hee-yeol and Hwang Kwang-hee's pick. Performance by vocal Shin Yong-nam.
  17. ^ Featuring Jeong Hee-kyung
  18. ^ Special appearances via video by Song Ji-hyo and Kim Young-chul.
  19. ^ Performance by the current members Luka (Jo Byung-seok) and Nam Joon-bong. Former members Moon Hyung-seok, Sung Yoon-yong, Yoon Sa-ra and Lee Seon-ah joined for the medley performance.
  20. ^ Special appearances via video by Lee Dong-hwi and Song Ga-in.
  21. ^ Special appearances via video by Kim Jong-kook and Park Ji-hoon.
  22. ^ Only Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Rowoon and Chani represented the group in the discussion segment.
  23. ^ Special appearance via video by Park Na-rae.
  24. ^ Performance by Shin Yoon-mi and Kwon In-ha [ko].
  25. ^ Special appearance via video by Ha Hyun-woo (Guckkasten).
  26. ^ Special appearances via video by Song Il-gook and Song Chang-eui.
  27. ^ Performance by the group's original lineup of Nam Gyu-ri, Kim Yeon-ji and Lee Bo-ram.
  28. ^ Special appearances via video by Jang Na-ra and Kian84.
  29. ^ Performance by the first line-up members Yoo Young and Jo Won-sang.
  30. ^ Special appearances via video by Yoon Do-hyun and Han Hye-jin.

Original soundtrack

[edit]
List of OST

OST Part 1

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."하얀 겨울 (White Winter)" (Baro & Jinyoung)Oh Dong-seokOh Dong-seokBlack Eyed Pilseung2:49
2."잊었니 (Did You Forget)" (Apink BnN (Bomi & Namjoo))Kim Se-jinKim Se-jinShinsadong Tiger3:35
Total length:6:24

OST Part 2

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."너 하나만을 위해 (Only for You)" (Dynamic Duo)Lee Hyun-do
Dynamic Duo
Lee Hyun-doPhiltre3:20
Total length:3:20

OST Part 3

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."그런가 봐요 (I Guess So)
(Piano by Yoo Hee-yeol)" (Choa)
SweetuneSweetuneSweetune
Yoo Hee-yeol
3:48
2."아마도 그건 (Perhaps That)" (Crush, Loco)Park Byung-gyuPark Byung-gyuPhiltre3:13
Total length:7:01

OST Part 4

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."너를 처음 만난 그때 (The First Time I Met You)
(Live Ver.)" (Hwang Chi-yeol, Baek A Yeon)
Jeon Sang-jinKim Sang-hoBlack Eyed Pilseung4:12
2."발걸음 (Step)" (10cm)Ji WooKim Young-sukKwon Jung-yeol
Yoon Cheol-jeong
Lee Yo-han
4:13
Total length:8:13

OST Part 5

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."사랑해 이 말밖엔 (Only the Words That I Love You)" (Jonghyun)Shim Hyun-boMiffungPhiltre3:57
2."응급실 (Emergency Room)" (Jung Seung-hwan)Shin Dong-wooShin Dong-wooDon Spike
Choi Min-shik
4:27
Total length:8:23

OST Part 6

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."어제처럼 (Like Yesterday)" (Solar, Moonbyul (Mamamoo))Yoon Sa-raShim Sang-wonBrave Brothers, JS, Miss Lee4:06
2."사랑일 뿐야 (Just a Love)" (Amber, Luna)Park Joo-yeonHa Kwang-hoonDon Spike
SooNo
4:13
Total length:8:17

OST Part 7

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."가질 수 없는 너 (Can't Have You)" (Gummy)Kang Eun-kyungJung Shi-roYoo Hee-yeol (Toy)4:06
2."널 위한 거야 (It's for You)" (Park Jung-hyun)Kim Young-sukKim Young-sukJung Seok-won4:29
Total length:9:16

OST Part 8

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."처음 그날처럼 (Like the First Day)" (Kang Kyun-sung
& Jeon Woo-sung (Noel))
Kim Hyung-sukKim Hyung-sukShinsadong Tiger
Jion
Monster Factory
3:55
2."내 눈물 모아 (With My Tears)" (Lyn)Kim Hee-tamJung Jae-hyungBlack Eyed Pilseung4:01
Total length:7:56

OST Part 9

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Heaven" (Jo Kwon)Kang Eun-kyungWon Sang-wooDon Spike
Choi Min-shik
4:37
Total length:4:37

OST Part 10

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."야인 (Rustic)" (Roy Kim)Park Hye-sungPark Hye-sungBlack Eyed Pilseung
Roy Kim
3:51
Total length:3:51

OST Part 11

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."립스틱 짙게 바르고 (Thick Lipstick)" (Kei, Ryu Sujeong,
Lee Mijoo & Jin (Lovelyz))
Yang In-jaKim Hee-gabSWEETUNE3:46
2."당돌한 여자 (Daring Woman)" (Jihyo, Nayeon,
Tzuyu & Chaeyoung (Twice))
Kang Eun-kyungIm Kang-hyunBrave Brothers
Miss Lee
3:10
Total length:6:56

OST Part 12

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."진이 (Geenie)" (Ock Joo-hyun)Choi Soo-jungChoi Soo-jungSuper Changddai
Ock Joo-hyun
3:52
2."이미 슬픈 사랑 (Already Sad Love)" (Lee Young-hyun)Lee Jae-hyukLee Jae-hyukDon Spike4:13
Total length:8:06

OST Part 13

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."너에게 원한 건 (What I Wanted from You)" (Red Velvet)Hong Jong-gooChun Sung-ilPhiltre3:27
2."상상 속의 너 (You in My Imagination)" (Raina & Lizzy)Kim Chang-hwanKim Chang-hwanBumzu
Woozi
3:10
Total length:6:37

OST Part 14

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."사랑인걸 (It's Love)" (Bobby, Junhoe & Donghyuk (iKON))Shim Hyun-boDeanReone, CRSPH4:07
2."나만의 슬픔 (My Own Grief)" (Homme)Kang Eun-kyungLee Kyung-seobRocoberry4:04
Total length:8:11

OST Part 15

No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."사랑 만들기 (Making Love)" (K.Will)Lee Hee-seungKo Kyu-manYoo Jae-hwan4:51
2."여름아 부탁해 (Summer, Please)" (Na Yoon-kwon)Choi Soo-jeongChoi Soo-jeongMuzie, Song Sung-kyung4:12
Total length:9:03

Ratings

[edit]

In the table below, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

Pilot

[edit]
List of ratings of pilot episodes
Episode # Original airdate AGB ratings[104]
(Nationwide)
TNmS ratings[105]
(Nationwide)
Pilot 1 August 19, 2015 2.0%
Pilot 2 August 26, 2015 1.8%

Season 1

[edit]
List of ratings in season 1

2015

[edit]
Episode # Original airdate AGB ratings[104]
(Nationwide)
TNmS ratings[105]
(Nationwide)
1 October 20, 2015 1.3% 1.6%
2 October 27, 2015 1.6% 1.2%
3 November 3, 2015 1.6% 1.4%
4 November 10, 2015 1.9% 1.6%
5 November 17, 2015 1.7% 1.5%
6 November 24, 2015 2.4% 2.2%
7 December 1, 2015 3.260% 2.8%
8 December 8, 2015 3.041% 2.2%
9 December 15, 2015 3.209% 2.4%
10 December 22, 2015 2.7% 2.2%
11 December 29, 2015 1.6% 1.8%

2016

[edit]
Episode # Original airdate AGB ratings[104]
(Nationwide)
TNmS ratings[105]
(Nationwide)
12 January 5, 2016 3.227% 2.3%
13 January 12, 2016 2.9% 2.2%
14 January 19, 2016 2.6% 2.5%
15 January 26, 2016 2.8% 2.3%
16 February 2, 2016 2.941% 2.4%
17 February 9, 2016 3.007% 4.1%
18 February 16, 2016 2.4% 3.3%
19 February 23, 2016 2.668% 3.1%
20 March 1, 2016 2.2% 2.4%
21 March 8, 2016 2.7% 2.9%
22 March 15, 2016 2.8% 3.0%
23 March 22, 2016 2.5% 2.5%
24 March 29, 2016 3.097% 3.2%
25 April 5, 2016 3.008% 3.4%
26 April 12, 2016 3.388% 3.2%
27 April 19, 2016 2.992% 2.7%
28 April 26, 2016 3.911% 4.0%
29 May 3, 2016 3.110% 4.1%
30 May 10, 2016 3.086% 3.8%
31 May 17, 2016 2.634% 3.1%
32 May 24, 2016 2.417% 3.1%
33 May 31, 2016 2.831% 2.8%
34 June 7, 2016 2.3% 3.4%
35 June 14, 2016 1.9% 2.6%
36 June 21, 2016 2.660% 3.0%
37 June 28, 2016 2.519% 2.6%
38 July 5, 2016 3.907% 4.5%
39 July 12, 2016 2.498% 2.9%

Season 2

[edit]
List of ratings in season 2
Episode # Original Airdate AGB ratings[104] TNmS ratings[105]
Nationwide Seoul National Capital Area Nationwide
1 January 14, 2018 4.536% 5.002% 6.2%
2 January 21, 2018 3.321% 3.310% 4.3%
3 January 28, 2018 3.750% 4.390% 5.0%
4 February 4, 2018 4.214% 4.774% 5.7%
5 February 11, 2018 3.843% 4.369% 5.6%
6 February 25, 2018 2.996% 3.217% 4.0%
7 March 4, 2018 4.234% 5.231% 5.8%
8 March 11, 2018 3.519% 4.356% 4.8%
9 March 18, 2018 3.387% 3.412% 4.5%
10 March 25, 2018 3.810% 4.865% 4.9%
11 April 1, 2018 4.060% 4.680% 5.9%
12 April 8, 2018 4.761% 6.335% 5.4%
13 April 15, 2018 3.831% 4.411% 5.2%
14 April 22, 2018 3.407% 4.109% 4.5%
15 April 29, 2018 4.093% 4.549% 5.2%
16 May 6, 2018 3.619% 4.159% 4.1%
17 May 13, 2018 3.174% 3.786% 4.9%
18 May 20, 2018 3.921% 4.636% 5.4%
19 May 27, 2018 3.210% 3.758% 5.6%

Season 3

[edit]
List of ratings in season 3

2019

[edit]
Episode # Original Airdate AGB ratings[104]
Nationwide Seoul National Capital Area
1 November 29, 2019 3.180% 3.335%
2 December 6, 2019 4.302% 5.043%
3 December 13, 2019 3.356% 3.644%
4 December 20, 2019 2.718% 2.818%

2020

[edit]
Episode # Original Airdate AGB ratings[104]
Nationwide Seoul National Capital Area
5 January 3, 2020 4.005% 4.125%
6 January 10, 2020 3.792% 3.735%
7 January 17, 2020 3.383% 3.587%
8 January 24, 2020 3.661% 3.850%
9 January 31, 2020 3.593% 4.126%
10 February 7, 2020 3.615% 3.747%
11 February 14, 2020 4.591% 5.076%
12 February 21, 2020 4.313% 4.511%
13 February 28, 2020 4.556% 4.663%
14 March 6, 2020 5.140% 5.345%

Note: This show airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC & EBS).
Note 2: TNmS has stopped publishing their rating reports from June 2018.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man is a South Korean music reality television program that aired on JTBC, featuring teams led by hosts Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol competing to rediscover and revive "Sugar Men"—one-hit wonder singers who have faded from the spotlight—by remaking their old hits with modern artists known as "Show Men."[1][2] The show's format revolves around a competitive battle between the two teams, each selecting a forgotten artist and collaborating with contemporary performers, such as K-pop idols and vocalists, to update the original songs for current audiences.[1] Episodes typically include interviews with the Sugar Men, production processes for the remakes, and live performances judged by a panel, with the winning team determined by audience votes or expert opinions.[3] The program emphasizes storytelling, highlighting the personal journeys of the featured artists and their emotional reunions with renewed fame.[2] Premiering with pilot episodes in August 2015, the first season ran from October 20, 2015, to July 5, 2016, comprising 39 episodes and featuring panelists like Kim Eana and Sandara Park alongside the hosts.[1] It was followed by Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man 2 in 2018 with 19 episodes and a third season from November 29, 2019, to March 6, 2020, with 14 episodes, maintaining the core concept while introducing new guests and refinements to the revival process.[4][5] The series has been praised for breathing new life into obscure tracks and artists, often leading to chart success for the remakes and increased visibility for the original Sugar Men, contributing to its popularity in the K-variety landscape.[3] Notable performances have involved groups like Red Velvet, MAMAMOO, and WINNER, blending nostalgia with contemporary K-pop elements.[3]

Overview

Premise

Two Yoo Project Sugar Man is a South Korean music revival program that focuses on rediscovering and promoting forgotten or underrated singers from past eras, known as "Sugar Men," by remaking their classic songs with contemporary artists. These Sugar Men are typically one-hit wonders or artists who achieved brief fame but subsequently faded from the public eye, leaving behind memorable tracks that deserve renewed attention. The show aims to revive their legacies by pairing their original works with modern interpretations, bridging generational gaps in music appreciation.[6][7][8] The program's competitive structure involves two teams, each led by a host, that select a Sugar Man and collaborate to produce and perform remakes of their songs. The teams compete to create the most compelling revival, with the winning performance determined by audience votes, emphasizing both emotional storytelling and musical innovation. This format highlights the original artists' untold stories alongside fresh takes on their hits, fostering a sense of discovery and nostalgia.[6][7] The title draws inspiration from the 2012 documentary Searching for Sugar Man, which chronicles the quest to find the obscure American musician Sixto Rodriguez, symbolizing the search for overlooked talents with enduring musical impact; the "Two Yoo" refers to hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Hee-yeol. The concept originated as a pilot project titled Two Yoo Project: Searching for Sugar Man, with its two initial episodes airing on JTBC on August 19 and 26, 2015, at 11 p.m. KST, which led to the show's full-season adoption due to positive reception.[6][7][8]

Format

The format of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man revolves around a competitive music revival competition between two teams, each tasked with selecting a "Sugar Man"—a forgotten one-hit wonder artist—and reinterpreting their signature "Sugar Song" with the assistance of contemporary performers known as "Show Men" and production mentors. This structure emphasizes collaboration between the original artist and modern talent to create fresh arrangements that appeal to current audiences while honoring the song's nostalgic roots.[6] Episodes typically unfold in a sequential manner to build anticipation and engagement. The segment begins with the introduction of the Sugar Men, presented through cryptic hints such as letters, video testimonials, street interviews, and audio snippets of the Sugar Song to tease the artist's identity and backstory. The Sugar Man then dramatically appears on stage via a "summoning gate" and performs a portion of the original track, often sharing insights into their career trajectory. Following this reveal, the hosts assign the Sugar Men to their respective teams, where mentors (typically music producers) are allocated to guide the creative process. The teams then enter the remake rehearsals phase, showcasing behind-the-scenes footage of song rearrangements, choreography development, and stylistic adaptations tailored to the Show Men's strengths. These rehearsals highlight the mentors' role in bridging generational gaps and innovating the track for contemporary appeal. The episode culminates in live performances, where both teams present their remade versions on stage in a head-to-head battle.[9] The competition's rules center on audience-driven outcomes during the live stage. Voting occurs immediately after the performances, with a panel of mentors and guests providing preliminary feedback on arrangement quality, vocal delivery, and overall impact. However, the decisive element is the live audience's participation: 100 spectators, often segmented by age groups to represent diverse generational perspectives (e.g., 20s, 30s, 40s, and older), activate illuminated bulbs—up to 100 per team—if they recognize the song or find the remake compelling. The team accumulating the highest number of lit bulbs wins the episode. The victory entitles the winning team to promotional opportunities for their Sugar Song, such as digital releases, music video production, and media exposure, aimed at reigniting the Sugar Man's career.[10] In later seasons, the format incorporated variations to enhance dynamism, including themed episodes focused on specific musical eras or genres, and the inclusion of special guests for collaborative twists, while maintaining the core competitive framework. The live audience's role remains pivotal as the primary scorers through their interactive bulb voting, ensuring results reflect broad public resonance, whereas the panel contributes qualitative insights without overriding the audience verdict. This blend of structured mechanics and audience involvement underscores the show's emphasis on communal nostalgia and musical reinvention.[9]

Production

Development

The inception of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man occurred in 2015 at JTBC, drawing inspiration from the 2012 Swedish-British documentary Searching for Sugar Man, which chronicled the rediscovery of obscure musician Sixto Rodriguez. The concept centered on reviving forgotten Korean artists—termed "Sugar Men"—and their classic songs through modern reinterpretations, aiming to bridge generational gaps in music appreciation. Chief producer Yoon Hyun-joon led the conceptualization, collaborating with producer Jung Hyo-min to develop the competitive team format featuring hosts Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol as opposing leaders. No specific writers were publicly highlighted in early planning, but the production team emphasized creative freedom for song remakes by contemporary producers like Shin Hyuk and Shinsadong Tiger. The pilot episodes, aired on August 19 and 26, 2015, faced significant challenges, including low initial viewership of around 1% and difficulties in securing original Sugar Men due to their obscurity and reluctance to re-emerge. Additionally, appealing to younger demographics proved tough, as the nostalgic theme initially resonated more with older viewers. Renewal for a full first season in late 2015 was prompted by the pilot's moderate success, with key format tweaks such as dividing the audience into age-based voting groups to boost intergenerational engagement, elevating ratings to 5% within six months. These adjustments ensured longevity, leading to Season 2 in 2018 and Season 3 from 2019 to 2020, where subtle evolutions like varying team structures maintained viewer interest without overhauling the core revival premise. The hosts' collaborative pitch for the "Two Yoo" duo dynamic was integral from the outset, enhancing the show's competitive appeal.

Broadcast details

Two Yoo Project Sugar Man originally aired on the South Korean cable network JTBC, premiering with a two-episode pilot on August 19 and 26, 2015, under the temporary title Two Yoo Project Searching for Sugar Man at 10:50 p.m. KST on Wednesdays. The regular broadcast of Season 1 began on October 20, 2015, shifting to Tuesdays at the same time slot, and ran until July 12, 2016, comprising 39 episodes.[11] Season 2 aired from January 14, 2018, to May 27, 2018, on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. KST, with 19 episodes.[12][4] Season 3 was broadcast from November 29, 2019, to March 6, 2020, moving to Fridays at 9:00 p.m. KST and consisting of 14 episodes.[13] Episodes typically lasted 90 to 120 minutes, aligning with the program's competitive music revival format that included performances and backstage segments. Overall, the series spanned 2 pilots and 72 regular episodes across its three seasons. Internationally, select episodes and seasons became available on streaming platforms such as Viki and YouTube in regions including Southeast Asia and North America starting in 2016, though availability varied by country and was not consistently on major services like Netflix.[14]

Cast

Hosts

Yoo Jae-suk serves as the main host of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man, leading Team A with his signature comedic timing and adept team coordination. Dubbed South Korea's "Nation's MC," Jae-suk has established dominance in the variety show genre through long-running hits like Infinite Challenge and Running Man, where his quick wit and ability to engage diverse casts have earned him widespread acclaim as a versatile entertainer.[15][6] Yoo Hee-yeol co-hosts the program as the resident music expert, overseeing Team B and delivering expert critiques on song revivals and performances. As a seasoned singer-songwriter and the sole member of the one-man band Toy, Hee-yeol draws from a prolific career that includes composing chart-topping tracks and hosting influential music programs such as Yoo Hee-yeol's Sketchbook, blending his artistic insight with on-screen charisma.[16][17][6] The hosts' shared surname "Yoo" inspired the show's title, cultivating a playful "Yoo-Yoo" dynamic that propels the humor in competitive segments while deepening explorations of music history across all three seasons.[6]

Panelists

Season 1 (2015–2016) featured lyricist Kim Eana and 2NE1 member Sandara Park as regular panelists, providing commentary and feedback on the remakes alongside the hosts.[18][11] In Season 2 (2018), Park Na-rae and Red Velvet's Joy joined as additional MCs/panelists, bringing comedic and idol perspectives to the judging panel. Season 3 (2019–2020) retained Kim Eana and introduced rapper Heize as a main host/panelist, enhancing the musical diversity in critiques.[19]

Sugar Men and guest performers

Sugar Men, the veteran artists whose one-hit wonders or forgotten tracks were the focus of each episode, played a key role by sharing the backstory of their music and offering feedback on the remakes, helping to bridge generations in K-pop. The pilot episodes (August 2015) introduced the revival concept with guest performers like EXID's Hani, Girl's Day's Park Sojin, and Mad Clown remaking early examples of forgotten tracks.[20] The first regular episode featured Mr. 2 and H as Sugar Men, with B1A4 and Apink as guest performers remaking "White Winter" and "Did You Forget," respectively, setting the tone for the show's format.[21] Across seasons, notable recurring guest performers included idols from groups like EXID, B1A4, WINNER, Red Velvet, MAMAMOO, and others, who contributed to remakes by adding contemporary vocal and dance elements, enhancing the show's crossover appeal. In Season 2, performers like gugudan and NU'EST W updated tracks from guests such as Lee Ji Yeon and Young Turks Club. Season 3 continued this with various idols, including members from Lovelyz (e.g., Kei) and Golden Child (e.g., Jangjun and TAG) as "show men" performers collaborating on remakes like duets with Apink's Jung Eun Ji.[22][23] The lineup evolved from ballad-focused remakes in Season 1 to more dynamic, group-oriented productions by Season 3, reflecting changes in K-pop trends.

Episodes

Pilot

The pilot episodes of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man aired on August 19 and 26, 2015, at 10:50 p.m. KST on JTBC, under the working title Two Yoo Project Searching For Sugar Man.[https://tv.apple.com/kr/show/two-you-project---sugar-man/umc.cmc.6qnrn2xa62urjsfnccyaqheza?l=en] These two 70-minute specials introduced the core premise of the series, where hosts Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol lead teams of celebrity producers in rediscovering and remaking hits by "Sugar Men"—one-hit wonders from past decades whose careers faded after brief fame.[https://www.soompi.com/article/779093wpp/sugar-man-producer-speaks-out-on-casting-2ne1s-sandara-park] The episodes spotlighted veteran artists from 1980s and 1990s K-pop, highlighting the show's focus on bridging generational gaps in K-pop history through personal stories and live performances. Their appearances emphasized the emotional revival aspect, as the hosts and guests shared anecdotes about the artists' overlooked legacies. The pilots tested the show's competitive format through key challenges, where Team Jae-suk and Team Hee-yeol assembled young idol groups to remake older hits with modern twists. Voting mechanics were trialed with a small live audience divided by age groups (teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s), allowing real-time feedback via text and on-site polls to determine the winning remake, which helped refine the interactive element for broader engagement. These experimental remakes not only showcased the producers' creative clashes but also demonstrated the potential for cross-generational collaboration in music revival. The pilots generated significant initial buzz within the music industry for their fresh take on nostalgia-driven content, praised for unearthing hidden gems and fostering discussions on K-pop's evolution among producers and artists.[https://www.soompi.com/article/779093wpp/sugar-man-producer-speaks-out-on-casting-2ne1s-sandara-park] This positive response, coupled with strong internal metrics at JTBC, led to the project's greenlight as a full regular series starting October 20, 2015, with expanded production and guest lineups. Unlike the later seasons' structured 16-19 episode runs with polished voting systems and larger audiences of 100 participants, the pilots adopted a shorter, more experimental format to prototype the concept, including looser scripting and fewer post-production effects to capture raw reactions.[https://www.soompi.com/2015/10/12/sugar-man-to-return-as-jtbcs-new-official-variety-show]

Season 1

Season 1 of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man premiered on JTBC on October 20, 2015, and concluded on July 5, 2016, spanning 39 episodes broadcast weekly on Tuesdays at 10:50 p.m. KST. The season established the core competitive format where teams led by hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Hee-yeol selected "Sugar Men"—forgotten one-hit wonders from past decades—and collaborated with contemporary "Show Men" to remake their signature songs for a live audience vote.[https://www.soompi.com/article/779093wpp/sugar-man-producer-speaks-out-on-casting-2ne1s-sandara-park] Drawing primarily from 1980s and 1990s hits, the episodes emphasized emotional ballads and trot genres, aiming to evoke nostalgia while updating arrangements for modern appeal.[https://m.kpopherald.com/view.php?ud=201602241307355465026_2] The season's themes revolved around rediscovering overlooked artists' legacies, with ballads dominating early episodes to highlight heartfelt storytelling and trot infusions later to add rhythmic energy and cultural resonance. Representative Sugar Men included Mr. 2, whose 1990s ballad "White Winter" was remade by B1A4 in the premiere, capturing wintery longing through layered harmonies, and the girl group H, whose 1990s track "Did You Forget" received a fresh interpretation by Apink, blending retro synths with current pop sensibilities.[https://simkl.com/tv/520494/two-yoo-project---sugar-man/season-0/episode-1/] Other notable features were the late 1990s girl group BoBo as a Sugar Man, with Younha reimagining their "Late Regret" in a soulful ballad style that resonated deeply with audiences, and trot veteran Chun Gil, whose classic was revived by iKON's Bobby, Jinhwan, and Donghyuk, marking a fusion of traditional vocals with hip-hop flair.[https://m.kpopherald.com/view.php?ud=201602241307355465026_2][https://mydramalist.com/people/120079-mose] The competition evolved through strategic mentor dynamics, as the winning team dictated the opponent's next Sugar Man, fostering rivalries and creative pressures that influenced remake directions—Yoo Jae-suk's team often leaned toward accessible, crowd-pleasing adaptations, while Yoo Hee-yeol's emphasized experimental production. This led to the season's first significant career revivals, such as renewed public interest in featured Sugar Men through post-show media exposure and performance opportunities. Mid-season, the format adjusted by solidifying a diverse MC panel, including newcomer Sandara Park alongside lyricist Kim Eana, to boost viewer engagement via added celebrity commentary and emotional insights during performances.[https://www.soompi.com/article/779093wpp/sugar-man-producer-speaks-out-on-casting-2ne1s-sandara-park] These changes heightened interactivity, contributing to the season's growing popularity and setting a template for future iterations.

Season 2

Season 2 of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man premiered on January 14, 2018, and concluded on May 27, 2018, spanning 19 episodes broadcast weekly on Sundays at 10:40 PM KST on JTBC.[https://mydramalist.com/26874-two-yoo-project-sugar-man-season-2] This season marked a refreshed approach by incorporating additional hosts Park Na-rae and Joy from Red Velvet alongside returning MCs Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol, enhancing the show's energy with a mix of comedy and youthful perspectives.[https://www.allkpop.com/article/2017/12/two-yoo-project-sugarman-announces-return-date-with-season-2] The format emphasized collaborations between contemporary idol groups and veteran producers, where "Show Men"—current artists—revived classic tracks from "Sugar Men," the original hitmakers, through competitive performances divided into teams led by the hosts.[https://www.soompi.com/article/1131127wpp/watch-mamamoo-oh-girl-compete-legendary-performances-upcoming-episode-sugar-man-2] A key evolution in Season 2 was the prominent role of idol groups as performers and informal mentors, fostering intergenerational music fusion by having them reinterpret 1980s and 1990s hits with modern twists. Notable Sugar Men featured included Seo Taiji and Boys, whose seminal track "Come Back Home" was remade in Episode 11 by participants under the guidance of producers, highlighting the song's enduring social commentary on youth struggles. Other standout remakes paid tribute to late artists, such as Lee Seok-hoon's "As I Told You" (remade by Monsta X) and Choi Jin Young's "Eternity" (remade by B1A4) in the same episode, creating emotional specials that honored tragic legacies in Korean music history.[https://www.soompi.com/article/1148833wpp/watch-b1a4-monsta-x-pay-homage-singers-past-sugar-man-2] Episodes like these introduced subtle global influences through arrangements inspired by international pop elements, while crossovers with diverse idol lineups, such as Gugudan vs. NU'EST W in the premiere, showcased varied vocal and dance styles.[https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/76375-two-yoo-project-sugar-man/season/2] The season's structure continued the host-mentor dynamic from prior outings, with Yoo Jae-suk and You Hee-yeol providing humorous oversight and musical expertise to guide the idols' preparations. Special episodes focused on thematic tributes, including the aforementioned homage to deceased artists, which resonated deeply by blending nostalgia with contemporary production techniques. Despite the intensive schedule, the production adapted to the expanded cast by streamlining rehearsals, ensuring smooth resolutions to any logistical hurdles without disrupting broadcasts.[https://www.soompi.com/article/1148833wpp/watch-b1a4-monsta-x-pay-homage-singers-past-sugar-man-2]

Season 3

Season 3 of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man aired from November 29, 2019, to March 6, 2020, comprising 14 episodes broadcast weekly on Fridays at 9:00 p.m. KST via JTBC.[https://mydramalist.com/54211-two-yoo-project-sugar-man-season-3] The season marked the conclusion of the series, emphasizing the revival of legacy artists from the 1990s and early 2000s through contemporary interpretations by younger performers known as Show Men.[https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/11/yoo-jae-suk-heize-and-more-reveal-which-artists-they-want-to-see-on-sugar-man-3] Building on the established competitive format of prior seasons, it paired hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Hee-yeol—alongside co-hosts Kim Eana and Heize—with producers to select and reimagine hits from faded stars, fostering emotional reunions and reflections on their careers.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10159790/episodes/?season=3] Key Sugar Men included the 1990s boy group Taesaja in the premiere episode, where members like Kim Hyung Jun recounted their post-fame struggles, including his role as a delivery driver, before their song "Only Love" was remade by Heize and PENTAGON.[https://www.allkpop.com/article/2019/12/taesajas-kim-hyung-juns-new-life-as-a-delivery-driver-his-positive-message-healthier-body-and-heart] Veteran soloist Yang Joon Il appeared later, reviving his signature ballads and inspiring a surge in online interest for his discography among younger audiences. The season also spotlighted the early 2000s girl group SeeYa, whose reunion performance of hits like "Women's Tears" highlighted internal conflicts and financial hardships that had previously stalled comebacks, though a post-show project album ultimately fell through.[https://www.allkpop.com/article/2020/11/seeyas-project-album-comeback-reportedly-canceled] These segments underscored themes of resilience and cultural legacy, blending nostalgia with fresh musical arrangements to bridge generational gaps. As the series' final installment, the later episodes shifted toward an emotional farewell, incorporating retrospective montages that revisited standout moments from all three seasons and celebrated the Sugar Men's enduring influence. The finale on March 6 featured a climactic battle between Lovelyz's Kei and Golden Child remaking a classic against Apink's Jung Eunji, culminating in heartfelt tributes and a sense of closure for the revival project. Production wrapped without major interruptions, though the season's extension from an initial 12 to 14 episodes allowed for deeper exploration of these narratives.

Soundtracks

Album releases

The official soundtrack albums for Two Yoo Project Sugar Man were released as a series of digital singles titled Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man OST Part. X, produced by JTBC Studios and distributed by LOEN Entertainment (later rebranded as Kakao Entertainment). These releases compiled the remakes performed during the show's competitions, with each part generally featuring one or two tracks corresponding to specific episodes. The series spanned all three seasons from 2015 to 2020, with approximately 72 individual parts that highlighted collaborations between contemporary idols, singers, and original "Sugar Men" artists.[24] The inaugural release, Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man OST Part. 1, came out on October 21, 2015, shortly after the show's pilot episodes aired. It included two tracks from early Season 1 performances: "White Winter" (하얀 겨울) by B1A4 members Baro and Jinyoung, and "Did You Forget" (잊었니) by Apink members Bomi and Namjoo (Apink BnN). This part marked the beginning of the show's musical output and received attention for revitalizing 1990s trot and ballad hits. Subsequent parts followed a similar format, often released weekly alongside episode broadcasts. For instance, Part. 3 (November 4, 2015) featured "Perhaps That's It" (아마도 그건) by Crush ft. Loco, alongside "I Guess So" (그런가 봐요) by Choa.[25]
PartRelease DateTrack Listing
Part. 1October 21, 20151. "White Winter" – Baro & Jinyoung (B1A4)
2. "Did You Forget" – Bomi & Namjoo (Apink BnN)
Part. 2October 28, 20151. "For You Only" (너 하나만을 위해) – Dynamic Duo
Part. 3November 4, 20151. "Perhaps That's It" (아마도 그건) – Crush ft. Loco
2. "I Guess So" (그런가 봐요) – Choa
Part. 17February 10, 20161. "Talk About Love" – Jung Joon Young & Younha
Later parts from Seasons 2 and 3 (2018–2020) continued the tradition, compiling winning remakes. While primarily digital, some parts saw physical releases through LOEN, contributing to cumulative sales exceeding 100,000 units across the series, driven by strong digital streaming performance. Post-Season 3, select compilations of popular remakes were made available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music as themed playlists, though no full standalone compilation albums were issued.[26][27]

Notable remakes

One of the standout remakes from the first season was Dynamic Duo's hip-hop infused version of "For You Only" (너 하나만을 위해), originally a 1980s trot hit by Nam Jin, which highlighted the show's early focus on reviving traditional trot genres with contemporary sounds.[28] Similarly, Solar and Moonbyul of Mamamoo delivered an emotional rendition of Lee Moon Sae's 1987 ballad "Like Yesterday" in episode 6, blending retro sentiment with their vocal prowess to evoke nostalgia among viewers.[29] In season 2, remakes shifted toward 1990s and early 2000s K-pop and pop tracks, with WINNER's laid-back reinterpretation of Cho Deok-bae's 1995 R&B song "Everyday" achieving an all-kill on major real-time music charts shortly after its performance in episode 16.[30] Another highlight was Lovelyz's bubbly, band-infused take on Jang Na Ra's 2001 debut single "Sweet Dream" in episode 18, which amassed over 47 million YouTube views and showcased the group's youthful charm in revitalizing early idol pop.[31] Red Velvet also impressed with their energetic remake of Necko's 1996 dance track "Se Se Se" (retitled "Tteonalgeoya") in episode 9, praised for its modern production and choreography that bridged 90s club vibes with current girl group aesthetics.[32] Season 3 continued the evolution toward K-pop hits from the late 1990s and 2000s, exemplified by Heize and Colde's soulful cover of Jang Hyeon-cheol's 1999 track "Only Love" (너의 마음을 내게 준다면) versus PENTAGON's dynamic remake of Taesaja's 1990s hit "The Way" (도) in episode 1, emphasizing vocal depth and group synergy in reimagining foundational idol anthems.[33] Across seasons, these remakes demonstrated a progression from trot and ballad revivals in season 1 to vibrant K-pop reinterpretations by later seasons, fostering intergenerational appreciation for Korean music heritage. The remakes often spurred renewed interest in the original Sugar Men, leading to comebacks and new releases; for example, after his 1995 hit "To You" was featured in season 1, Yang Joon-il experienced a career revival, releasing his first album in over two decades and embarking on tours.[34] This pattern extended to increased digital engagement with 1990s tracks, as the show's exposure prompted fans to stream originals alongside the new versions, amplifying the cultural legacy of forgotten artists.[8]

Reception

Viewership ratings

The pilot episodes of Two Yoo Project Sugar Man, aired in October 2015, recorded nationwide viewership ratings of 2% for the first episode and 1.8% for the second, averaging approximately 1.9% according to Nielsen Korea data.[35] Season 1, which ran from late 2015 to July 2016, began with low ratings in the 1-2% range amid initial struggles to build an audience on JTBC's Wednesday timeslot. Ratings gradually improved, stabilizing in the high 2% to low 3% range by mid-2016, with the finale episode featuring UN and Buck reaching a nationwide average of ~3.9% and a Seoul metropolitan peak of 5.4% (overall season Seoul peak 7.1% in Ep. 28), marking highs for the season. The upward trend was occasionally disrupted by competition from popular tvN dramas such as Another Oh Hae-young, which drew viewers away during overlapping air times. Overall, the season averaged around 2.5-3% nationwide, reflecting growing popularity through nostalgic remakes that resonated with audiences.[36][37][38][22]
SeasonAir YearsAverage Rating (Nationwide, Nielsen)Peak Rating (Seoul Metropolitan, Nielsen)Key Trends/Factors
Pilot2015~1.9%2% (Ep. 1)Modest start on late-night slot; led to full series greenlight.
12015-2016~2.5-3%7.1% (Ep. 28)Rose from 1-2% in 2015 to 2-3% in 2016; impacted by drama competition and timeslot stability; nationwide peak ~3.9%.
22018~3.5-4%6.3% (Ep. 12, Jewelry/One Two)Strong launch at 4.5% nationwide; highs from 4-6% on popular remakes, but later episodes dipped amid variety show saturation.
32019-2020~3-4%7.3% (Finale minute)Starting at ~3.2% nationwide, with some early episodes 1.5-2.5%, climbing to 5%+ peaks; finale 5.1% nationwide amid COVID-19 viewing shifts; Sunday evening slot aided accessibility.
Season 2, airing Sundays in 2018, opened strongly at 4.5% nationwide—surpassing Season 1's prior nationwide peak of 3.9%—and achieved a series high of 6.3% in the Seoul metropolitan area with nostalgic performances by groups like Jewelry and One Two. However, ratings declined to an average of about 3.5-4% toward the end, influenced by increased competition from other JTBC variety programs and broader cable fragmentation. Notable episodes, such as those featuring Seo In-young (4.8%) and Cola/Seven Princess (5.2%), highlighted peaks driven by 1990s K-pop revivals.[22][39][40] Season 3, from November 2019 to March 2020, maintained ratings in the 3-4% range nationwide, starting at ~3.2% and ending with a finale of 5.1% (Seoul minute peak 7.3%), the highest nationwide finale across all seasons. The 2019-2020 period saw some early episodes fluctuate between 1.5-2.5%, rising with episodes like the December 6 special at 5.0%, partly due to heightened home viewing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Timeslot adjustments to Sunday evenings helped sustain engagement, though overall numbers reflected a maturing cable market with divided audiences.[41][42][43]

Critical reception and impact

Two Yoo Project Sugar Man garnered positive critical reception for its innovative format that revived forgotten hits and supported veteran artists, often praised for evoking nostalgia while bridging generational gaps in Korean music. Reviewers highlighted how the show's collaborations between past "Sugar Men" and modern idols created fresh interpretations of classic tracks, breathing new life into the K-pop landscape and celebrating musical heritage.[34] While early seasons were lauded for their emotional storytelling and surprise reunions, later installments, particularly Season 3, drew mild criticisms for formulaic predictability in artist selections and performance structures, which some felt diminished the initial excitement. Despite this, the program maintained strong appeal through its consistent emphasis on artist mentorship and live performances. Its high viewership ratings served as a key indicator of its broad success among audiences.[44] The show did not secure major awards. Culturally, Two Yoo Project Sugar Man had a significant impact on Korean music by reintroducing over 50 vintage songs through its episodes, with several remakes climbing domestic charts and renewing public interest in 1990s and 2000s tracks. It notably boosted the careers of mid-tier and overlooked artists, such as Yang Joon-il, whose appearance in Season 3 led to a viral resurgence and international attention after years of obscurity.[45][34] In terms of legacy, the series influenced subsequent variety programs focused on musical revival, including Sing Again, produced by the same JTBC team, which adopted a similar audition-style format to spotlight emerging and veteran talent. The show concluded with its third season finale on March 6, 2020, and as of November 2025, no further seasons or revivals have been announced, though its remakes continue to appear in K-pop nostalgia compilations and inspire artist comebacks.[46][2]

References

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