IVE's An Yujin Runs a Rice Cake Shop in New tvN Spin-Off Series

IVE's An Yujin is stepping back into variety television. She joins the cast of tvN's new series "Woojoo Rice Cake Shop," which premieres July 31 at 8:35 p.m. KST.

The show is the second spin-off of tvN's popular variety series "Earth Arcade." The premise picks up from the original: after failing a room-escape mission set up by the mischievous character Torongi, the "Earth Arcade" members are forced to run a rice cake shop. The network is billing it as a "forced-employment restaurant labor adventure." An Yujin runs the shop alongside Lee Eun-ji, MIMI, and Lee Young-ji, making rice cakes and rolling out a range of menu items.

Teasers and highlight clips released ahead of the premiere lean into the group's chemistry and An Yujin's comic timing. In one moment, she keeps her signature "clear-eyed madwoman" persona intact even in a busy kitchen. In another, she looks around and says, "So this is what running a business is like," reacting to the reality of the job in a way that plays for laughs. Previews also show her dancing on the street to pull in customers, and a single line, "We need a POS machine," somehow leads to the opening of a second Seoul location.

An Yujin built her variety reputation through the "Earth Arcade" franchise, where her "clear-eyed madwoman" character became a defining part of her on-screen appeal. Her chemistry with the cast and with producer Na Young-seok earned her the nickname "Na Yujin," and her quick reactions and meme-friendly moments turned into steady online fodder.

IVE is currently on its second world tour, "SHOW WHAT I HAVE," meeting fans around the world. Outside of group activities, An Yujin has kept a wide slate, working in variety, hosting, and drama OSTs. With her group and solo schedules running in parallel, attention is turning to what she brings to "Woojoo Rice Cake Shop."

Through her agency Starship Entertainment, An Yujin said, "As hard as it was, we filmed 'Woojoo Rice Cake Shop' having so much fun, and I'm really excited and nervous to finally share it with DIVE (IVE's official fan club) and viewers." She added, "I felt like I grew even closer with the older members through this shoot. I hope people watch closely to see how the 'Earth Arcade' crew handles all the different crises."

"Woojoo Rice Cake Shop," featuring An Yujin, premieres July 31 at 8:35 p.m. KST.