The issue about the members (YJS, JK and YSC mostly) ganged up on JSJ had been brought up by several redditors already. By other viewers brushed it up under the carpet and treat is as their entertainment characters, which is correct. People usually ignore it because the 'ganged up against JSJ' only shown on the show for a short time. We don't have enough time to build that frustration feeling while watching the show
Different for this episode. The members stuck in the van, wearing uncomfortable clothes, lost in Seoul and PD showed almost all the footage in the van to the viewers. The van scenes took almost 40 minutes out of 90 minutes runtime. Almost half of the episode.
Again, than 40 minutes stuck in the van will be fun if the members just have casual chat. But YJS decided it is more fun to tease JSJ by ignoring his suggestion, cutting his words then later blame him for getting lost. YJS basically acted so tyranny in that 40 minutes ride. JK who have enough dominance to balance YJS decided to be his lackey and enabled YJS's character. This 40 minutes basically became Yookook suppressing the other 5 members. They shut the members for no reason, they threaten (i know they were joking) to kick the members out of the van. Blatantly ignored YSC when he tried to give suggestion. Forcing Haha to apologize while YJS was in the wrong side. How all these thing helping in creating a fun environment. No matter how close they are, the other 5 members also just a human. So obvious being in than van stressed them out.
We viewers fed on members emotion. If they are happy, laughing out loud, sharing funny stories,we also will feel the fun. But if JSJ gritted his teeth because of frustration, the maknaes just kept their mouth shut without trying to ease up the atmosphere, Haha and Somin kept complaining that Yookook duo was annoying, how are we, the viewers going to say the 40 minutes of van ride is fun?
That is why Yookook received criticism in this episode. We watched 40 minutes of Yookook overly dominated the members, and the members didn't have to power to retaliate. After fall, what is so fun seeing the strong bullying the weaks