Emotional Moments and Family Surprises on MBC's 'What Are You Doing, Brother?'

Korean entertainer Jo Hye-ryun was moved to tears by her son Woo-joo on the recent episode of MBC's Chuseok special variety show 'What Are You Doing, Brother?' aired on the 9th. The show, directed by Kim Jin-yong, Lee Joo-won, Ahn Ji-sun, and Bang Sung-soo, and written by No Min-sun, featured HaHa, Joo Woo-jae, and Lee Yi-kyung continuing their second day of travel in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Family guests, including Jo Hye-ryun, Heo Kyung-hwan, Noh Sa-yeon, Han Sang-jin, and HaHa's wife Byul, secretly joined the three men's journey, adding laughter and emotion.

The morning of the second day began with Joo Woo-jae suffering from a hangover, while HaHa and Lee Yi-kyung started fresh with a run. At a café, they were surprised by the unexpected presence of Jo Hye-ryun and Heo Kyung-hwan. Jo Hye-ryun shared a touching story about her son Woo-joo, who was leaving for the U.S. that day, recalling a heartfelt letter he left behind. In the letter, Woo-joo expressed his admiration for his hardworking mother and referred to Jo's remarried husband as 'beloved father' instead of 'mister,' which deeply moved Jo. Encouraged by HaHa, Jo called her son to express her love, saying, "I'm truly happy to have given birth to you and I love you." HaHa, a father of three, was moved to tears, and even the usually stoic Joo Woo-jae admitted, "Even someone like me without emotions feels warm."

The group then visited a sheep ranch, enjoying playful moments with the animals. Heo Kyung-hwan, visibly tired, drew laughter with his sudden beard growth. After Jo Hye-ryun and Heo Kyung-hwan departed, the trio welcomed their second family guests, real-life cousins Noh Sa-yeon and Han Sang-jin.

Noh Sa-yeon and Han Sang-jin shared stories of their large family gatherings of 40 people during holidays and their family's business DNA. Noh Sa-yeon humorously recalled doubting Han Sang-jin's potential as an entertainer due to his chubby and shy nature as a child, while Han Sang-jin joked about his 'genetic improvement.' They also shared a funny incident where the police were called during a loud family game of yutnori, mistaking it for a fight.

Noh Sa-yeon showed a photo of herself as a 100-day-old baby weighing 4.8 kg, joking about being mistaken for a boy if she hadn't grown her hair long. Her hearty appetite surprised the light-eating Joo Woo-jae. Han Sang-jin recounted the day Noh Sa-yeon introduced her husband Lee Moo-song to the family, who all restrained themselves from eating to make a good impression, joking that marrying off Noh Sa-yeon was a family business.

The final surprise guest was HaHa's wife, Byul. HaHa ran to her with a heavy heart, while Joo Woo-jae and Lee Yi-kyung watched the emotional reunion. Throughout the trip, HaHa often thought of Byul when enjoying delicious food or beautiful scenery, and was delighted by the surprise reunion. Joo Woo-jae, who had been bickering with HaHa, jokingly asked Byul how she handled HaHa's childishness, to which Byul replied, "Isn't he very warm?" revealing that her decision to marry HaHa wasn't based on his looks.

HaHa remarked, "'What Are You Doing, Brother?' is fascinating. It always ends with family stories," and told Joo Woo-jae and Lee Yi-kyung, "We're family too." Byul playfully scolded them, "Get married, you guys!" like a true older sister, while Joo Woo-jae humorously complained, "Do I have to hear this here when I don't even hear it at home during the holidays?" bringing laughter to the end.

Meanwhile, MBC's 'What Are You Doing, Brother?' is a spin-off of 'Hangout with Yoo,' capturing HaHa, Joo Woo-jae, and Lee Yi-kyung's spontaneous 1-night, 2-day road trip.

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr