AB6IX's Lee Daehwi Shines as Multilingual Star on 'Hotel Goblin'

AB6IX's Lee Daehwi is making waves on MBC Every1's variety show 'Hotel Goblin' with his impressive foreign language skills and unique charm, becoming the show's mascot. Before joining AB6IX, he was a member of Wanna One, which officially disbanded in January 2019. However, the group announced a reunion in April this year through an Mnet reality show, capturing public attention.

On 'Hotel Goblin,' Lee Daehwi transforms into a hotelier alongside Go Doo-shim, Kwon Yul, Son Na-eun, Kim Dong-jun, and Jeon Sung-gon, welcoming foreign guests. As the youngest and a 'multi-player' of the team, he has become a key figure in the program, especially in communicating with international guests.

In the second episode, Lee Daehwi cleverly handled a crisis, coining the term 'Sorry Food,' which became a hot topic. When paragliding reservations were canceled due to bad weather, he prepared sweet roasted sweet potatoes and refreshing dongchimi for the disappointed guests. Offering them as a 'small gift,' he softened the atmosphere before gently delivering the cancellation news, expressing sincere apologies. Viewers praised his thoughtful gesture, saying, 'Roasted sweet potatoes and dongchimi, this is true K-etiquette,' and 'The term 'Sorry Food' is so apt and cute.'

Lee Daehwi's sincerity shone even brighter in the third episode aired on the 3rd. When a family from Italy had to leave at 4 AM for a hike up Hallasan, he was the first to wake up, seeing them off with Kim Dong-jun and Jeon Sung-gon, despite not accompanying them as a guide. His thoughtful care for the guests' safety and cheerful farewell left a warm impression.

Later, he and 'manager' Kwon Yul led three MZ generation foreign guests—Umeda from Denmark, August from the USA, and Anton from Switzerland—on a tangerine-picking experience. Sporting an 'orange human tangerine' look, Lee Daehwi provided visual delight and expertly guided the scene with his exceptional variety skills. Amidst the beautiful Jeju scenery, he became both a perfect interpreter and a friend, creating unforgettable memories for the guests.

Beyond mere translation, Lee Daehwi's ability to read others' minds and his dedication behind the scenes have made him an indispensable part of 'Hotel Goblin.' As the show progresses, viewers' expectations for his evolving 'all-rounder' role continue to grow.

The healing reality show 'Hotel Goblin,' set in a mysterious pop-up hotel, airs every Tuesday at 8:30 PM.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr