Seoul National University alumna and actress Ok Ja-yeon recently shared the touching story of her fateful encounter with her new visually impaired pet cat, 'Bomi'.
On the October 13th episode of MBC's variety show 'I Live Alone', viewers were introduced to the third protagonist of the 'Rainbow Run' special, featuring the delightful daily life of 'Baby Beast' Chef Kim Si-hyun and Ok Ja-yeon's new family member, the visually impaired cat 'Bomi'. The show achieved a 5.7% viewership rating in the metropolitan area, ranking first among Friday variety programs.
The highlight of the episode was Chef Kim Si-hyun preparing a housewarming feast, which included dishes like wild vegetable pot rice and perilla seed tofu stew, tantalizing the taste buds of the Rainbow members. He also gifted studio members with homemade lunchboxes, pushing the peak viewership rating to 7.6%.
The show also gave a first look into Chef Kim Si-hyun's morning routine. His 'Baby Beast House', which doubles as his workspace, is equipped with a large kitchen and professional cooking tools, drawing admiration from the Rainbow members. Despite having no prior experience, Chef Kim sent a heartfelt letter and portfolio to Michelin-starred restaurants, showcasing his passion and determination for cooking.
Chef Kim's meticulously organized refrigerator, filled with labeled aged ingredients, impressed viewers. While many were curious about his home-cooked meals, he revealed his love for ramen, preparing a unique 'Shepherd's Purse Doenjang Ramen' for breakfast.
Chef Kim also made 'Dangyuja Cheong' and visited a vegetable shop at Gyeongdong Market, which he likened to a department store, to purchase a variety of greens. His enthusiasm for seasonal vegetables and his professional approach to trying and researching new ingredients left a lasting impression.
For his housewarming menu, Chef Kim prepared wild vegetable pot rice, crab perilla seed tofu stew, and seasonal vegetable dishes. He also crafted 'Duteop Tteok', a traditional Korean rice cake, by hand, showcasing his culinary skills. Chef Kim expressed his desire to become an all-rounder in cooking, much like how cabbage can be used in various dishes.
Ok Ja-yeon introduced her new family member, the cat 'Bomi', sharing the story of their destined meeting. Last December, she found 'Bomi' injured on the street and rescued her. A veterinarian informed her that while 'Bomi' had no visible eye injuries, she was visually impaired, making adoption challenging. Ok Ja-yeon decided to adopt 'Bomi', realizing their meeting coincided with her birthday, which she saw as fate.
Ok Ja-yeon added that the veterinarian mentioned 'Bomi' might not have survived the winter if not rescued. She named her 'Bomi', wishing her life to be filled with spring. Her warm gesture was praised by fellow cast member Kian84, who remarked, "She found a good owner." Ok Ja-yeon expressed her affection for her cats, 'Chacha' and 'Bomi', noting that 'Bomi' has adapted well despite her visual impairment.
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Ok Ja-yeon attempted to make her favorite Korean dessert, 'Gaeseong Juak'. Using borrowed cooking tools, she followed the recipe but mistakenly used rice syrup instead of malt syrup, resulting in a 'Tanghulu' style dessert, which brought laughter. Nevertheless, she completed her 'Ok Ja-yeon style Gaeseong Juak' with various toppings.
Ok Ja-yeon also joined a 'Table Tennis Club', practicing with neighbors. As a one-month member, she transformed into 'Ok Table Tennis', impressing fellow members Jeon Hyun-moo, Ko Seung-hwan, and Code Kunst with her dedication. During a table tennis match, she displayed intense focus and later gifted her club members with her homemade 'Gaeseong Juak'.
Reported by Tae Yuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr