Actor Cha Tae-hyun is making a comeback on the SBS variety show Whenever I Have Time. From entrance to exit, his relentless "sniper" tiki-taka banter turns the set into a laughter fest.
On the January 6 episode of Whenever I Have Time, 2MCs Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok welcome "time-buddy" guests Cha Tae-hyun and Kim Do-hoon. Marking his fourth appearance, Cha—whose every visit has delivered peak ratings—proves once again he's a "surefire card," taking control of the vibe from the very start.
As soon as Cha shows up, Yoo Jae-suk jokes, "The guy who drives me crazy is back," mixing warmth with wariness. Cha casually updates, "These days my workday ends around 3 p.m.," then teases the producers, "So you called me because I actually had time, huh?" He adds another zinger: "I've got a drama coming out in 2027, so please keep Whenever I Have Time alive until then," locking in a cheeky "reservation" two years out.
The sparring doesn't stop even while they're on the move. Reminiscing, Yoo says, "I used to hate it when Jong-kook would say 'mm, delicious' every time we hit an uphill, but these days I like uphill roads too." Cha fires back instantly, "Then other people probably hate seeing you," leaving everyone in stitches.
When Yoo Yeon-seok explains, "This street used to be a two-way road," Cha slips in a punny jab: "If it were a 'yangban' (nobleman) road, Jae-suk hyung wouldn't be allowed in." Yoo Jae-suk just squints in silence, and Yoo Yeon-seok corrects him—"Not 'yangban,' a two-way street"—sparking another round of laughter.
Watching the chaos, Kim Do-hoon marvels, "Now I get why episodes with Cha Tae-hyun hit peak ratings. He never gives Jae-suk sunbae a break." Yoo readily agrees: "Viewers seem to love it when I lose my cool," sending the set into uproarious laughter.
Kicking off the new year with a "can't-miss combo," Cha Tae-hyun's scene-stealing run will be revealed on Whenever I Have Time, airing January 6 at 9 p.m.