Rediscovery of generational empathy and warm humanity that breaks down the boundaries of entertainment > News

‘Welcome to Sugeun School’, which will debut on the 25th, is set in a mountainous village in Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which is on the verge of extinction as a local community, and heralds a place of warm communication where the elderly and children can come together. This program attracted great attention from the planning stage due to the collaboration of entertainers Lee Soo-geun, Mi-joo Lee, and Woo-il Lim. In particular, the long-term relationship among the cast members raises expectations for ‘chemistry’ based on deep trust. Lee Mi-joo mentioned her special relationship with Lee Soo-geun, who had taken great care of her since her Lovelyz days, and revealed their special closeness through an episode in which the two lived in the same neighborhood. Lim Woo-il also revealed that he has looked up to Lee Soo-geun since they were rookies and has a senior-junior relationship, implying that their union will go beyond simple business partners and create authentic human entertainment.

Entertainment veteran Lee Soo-geun's human side was highlighted in more depth through a recent broadcast. He revealed a movie-like love story with his wife, who is 12 years younger than him, and expressed without hesitation his deep respect and affection for his wife, who helped him get through difficult times in the past. In particular, his confession that he leaves all financial power to his wife and does not even check her bank account balance shows both his infinite trust in his wife and his sense of responsibility as the head of the family. In addition, he shared the sad feelings he feels as a father of a family by sharing an update on his high school senior son, who is about to become an adult, and is pursuing his dream of becoming a musician at an arts high school. Lee Soo-geun's honest confession makes viewers think again about the ordinary and warm family man hidden behind the glamorous image of a celebrity.

Meanwhile, the special project of ‘20th Century Hit Song’, which combines entertainment fun and empathy, presented a unique format that solves viewers’ concerns through the medium of popular songs. Kim Hee-chul and Lee Mi-joo borrowed characters from the popular entertainment show ‘Ask Me Anything’ and provided in-depth counseling on the concerns we commonly see around us, from dating to family conflicts, by linking them to song lyrics. In particular, Lee Mi-joo aroused sympathy from viewers by sublimating an anecdote about shedding tears in a taxi while recalling her actual breakup experience into a monologue. Even in a serious atmosphere, Kim Hee-chul's witty reactions brought out the charm of entertainment where laughter and tears coexist, and the way he recommended answers appropriate to the situation to resolve concerns gave fresh comfort to viewers.

What is noteworthy in this series of broadcasts is the value of ‘authenticity’ shown by the cast. Lim Woo-il's extreme frugality and Mi-joo Lee's honest and easy-going charm played a role in narrowing the distance between them and the public by sharing their daily lives without any modifications, rather than a decorated appearance. Although they sometimes clash with each other's opinions and create conflicts, they ultimately show what a healthy way of communication is in the process of moving toward a single conclusion. In addition, the fundamental reason why they are loved by the public is that while they do not miss the visual sensation, such as showing off their flawless beauty even in ultra-close-up shots, they also have consideration and understanding for others.