Actress Shin Se-kyung has dismissed rumors of being one of the 'top ulzzangs' alongside Park Bo-gum, calling them 'groundless.'
The October 11th episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' (Episode 331) achieved impressive ratings, securing the top spot in its time slot across cable and general programming channels. It recorded an average of 4.9% and a peak of 6.2% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and an average of 4.6% and a peak of 5.8% nationwide. The show also ranked first among all channels, including terrestrial networks, in the 2049 demographic.
This episode, themed 'The First to Become the Best,' featured guests who have made significant impacts in various fields. Among them were Ambassador Cho Choi, the first Korean-Ghanaian ambassador to South Korea, the winning team of the '2026 Bakery World Cup,' renowned Korean profilers Kwon Il-yong and Pyo Chang-won, and first-generation celebrity YouTuber, actress Shin Se-kyung.
Ambassador Cho shared his journey of immigrating to Ghana at the age of 14 and his pioneering efforts to settle there. He spoke about his contributions to the diplomatic relations between Ghana and Korea and shared glimpses of his family life as a father of six. The story of the '2026 Bakery World Cup' winners was equally inspiring. Led by Kim Jong-ho, chefs Hwang Seok-yong, Kim Myung-ki, and Choi Yong-hwan invested 50 million won each from their own pockets and trained intensively for six months, six days a week, ten hours a day, to bring glory to Korea.
Profilers Kwon Il-yong and Pyo Chang-won, known as the first profiler and the first Ph.D. in police science in Korea, respectively, shared their parallel life stories from birth to joining the police force and marriage. They captivated the audience with their dynamic banter and discussed pressing social issues like 'dating violence' and 'stalking,' highlighting the need for institutional improvements.
Shin Se-kyung, a 28-year veteran actress, also shared insights into her life and philosophy. As a first-generation celebrity YouTuber, she revealed her meticulous 'double-check' editing process, which involves getting approval from acquaintances, capturing viewers' interest. When asked about being dubbed the 'top ulzzang' alongside Park Bo-gum during her high school days, she humorously denied the claim, saying it was the first she'd heard of it.
The episode also featured behind-the-scenes stories from the movie 'Humint,' where Shin prepared meals for co-stars Jo In-sung, Park Jung-min, and Park Hae-joon, along with the production team. Reflecting on her career after the hit sitcom 'High Kick Through the Roof,' she emphasized the importance of being cautious with words and actions as the secret to her longevity in the industry, sharing a heartfelt conversation with Yoo Jae-suk.
The upcoming episode of 'You Quiz on the Block,' airing on the 25th, will feature Heo Ga-yoon, who found simple happiness in Bali, Korea's 400th medalist Kim Sang-gyeom, Dr. Jang Hyung-woo, who lost 39kg from 118kg, and actor Park Ji-hoon, who transformed into Danjong in the film 'The King and the Clown.'
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr