Actor Joo Jong-hyuk recently revealed an emotional story involving his senior, actress Kim Hye-soo.
On the November 11th episode of MBC's variety show 'Radio Star,' guests Jin Seo-yeon, Geum Sae-rok, Joo Jong-hyuk, and Kwak Beom appeared in the 'Multi-talented' special.
The episode of 'Radio Star' aired that day ranked first in nationwide viewership ratings for its time slot. It also topped the 2054 viewership ratings. The highlight of the show was Kwak Beom's impersonation medley, which achieved a peak viewership rating of 4.2%.
Jin Seo-yeon opened the talk by sharing her current routine, which includes exercise, studying, publishing, and moving. She explained the background of her essay 'I Will Endure,' which compiles diary entries from her nine years of obscurity and writings from her unofficial account. The publishing company reached out to her first, and despite her fears, she eventually published the book after a four-year delay, showcasing a new side of her as an author. The book has already gone through four printings, and she is preparing to publish a recipe book inspired by 'Pyeonstorang,' indicating her potential for further expansion.
Jin Seo-yeon also shared her belief in good fortune this year and her unique ways of boosting her energy. She revealed her moving routine to Jeju Island, which includes feng shui, a view of Sanbangsan, and 2kg of red beans. Her plans to challenge Hyrox and her dedication to self-care were also highlighted. She joked about how her expressions and face have changed since transitioning from villain roles to romantic comedies and melodramas, and she now understands why actors who play beautiful roles maintain their beauty, bringing laughter to the audience.
Her stories about people she met in Jeju added intrigue. Jin Seo-yeon shared an episode about a sauna group with an average age of over 60, where she later discovered that the members were significant landowners in Jeju. Her confession of receiving pocket money on her birthday after joining their group chat brought laughter to the studio, and her Jeju life, including book clubs and marine trash cleanup groups, was uniquely summarized.
Joo Jong-hyuk shared his recent experience in the play 'French Safe,' which was a challenging endeavor for him, given his background in hotel management after studying abroad. He admitted that he struggled during rehearsals, receiving the most comments from director Jang Jin. He expressed his desire to break and learn from the experience, showcasing his earnest attitude. He was deeply moved when senior actor Shin Goo comforted him by saying, "Jong-hyuk, you're doing well," during their first gathering.
He also shared a behind-the-scenes story from the drama 'Trigger,' involving a scene with Kim Hye-soo. During a rehearsal, he felt overwhelmed with emotion when Kim Hye-soo delivered a performance that made him feel genuinely disappointed, leading to tears. Kim Hye-soo and Jung Sung-il later praised the scene, making it a cherished memory for him. Kim Hye-soo also sent him two meal kits and a rice cooker as gifts and shared health tips in their group chat, adding warmth to the story.
Joo Jong-hyuk recounted a nerve-wracking memory of being 40 minutes late to the first script reading of the drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo.' He explained that he had received prior permission to join the reading after a regional shoot, but circumstances led to his tardiness. He mistakenly entered the wrong building and experienced extreme nervousness, recalling the incident as akin to irritable bowel syndrome. He also shared that he naturally started Taekwondo due to his father, a Taekwondo master, and now holds a 4th-degree black belt. He demonstrated his kicking skills in the studio, showcasing his unexpected charm.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr