A Journey Through Fame, Loss, and Rebirth
In a recent episode of KBS 2TV’s Salimnam, singer Park Seo-jin shared a deeply personal story about losing all his assets in an instant. The show, which aired on the 9th, highlighted the love story between Park Seo-jin, who celebrated his 12th anniversary this year, and Lee Min-woo, who surprised everyone with news of his upcoming wedding. The episode received a strong viewership rating of 6.7 percent, with the scene where Lee Min-woo worried about his marriage due to financial struggles reaching a peak of 7.9 percent.
The episode featured Kim Won-hee as a special MC and Jiyu from the group Kiki as a guest. Kim Won-hee expressed her admiration for Eun Ji-won's new marriage, calling her "a four-dimensional girl for her age" and praising her as a great junior. She playfully asked when Eun Ji-won would get married and whether she would receive an invitation. Eun Ji-won responded that she would have a small wedding with her family, prompting Kim Won-hee to joke about attending in a hanbok, ultimately offering sincere congratulations.
A video clip featuring Park Seo-jin and his sister Hyojung revealed their daily habits. Park Seo-jin was seen using multiple devices simultaneously, while Hyojung struggled to focus on her GED studies. After a playful argument, they checked each other’s phone usage records. Park Seo-jin spent an average of 9 hours and 14 minutes on his phone daily, with 29 hours and 35 minutes dedicated to entertainment alone—shocking the audience.
To address his digital overuse, Park Seo-jin decided to try a “Digital Detox” before appearing on KBS’s Trouble Kids in the Rooftop Room. He placed both his and Hyojung’s phones in an abstinence box with a 7-hour timer but soon experienced withdrawal symptoms, leading to laughter among the crew.
Eventually, Park Seo-jin gave in to temptation and went out with Hyojung to the rooftop neighborhood where he once lived. Reflecting on his past, he shared a painful story of being scammed by someone who pretended to be a producer. This fraud cost him 1.5 million won, all his money at the time. He described how desperate people might fall for such tricks, urging others to be cautious.
Hyojung, watching her brother’s journey, expressed deep admiration for his resilience. “I knew my brother was struggling, but I never thought it would be this hard,” she said, adding that hearing about his experiences made her respect him even more.
Park Seo-jin revisited the rooftop house where he once lived, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. He reflected on how his perspective had changed over the years, now seeing success as something real rather than just a distant dream.
He also visited a galbi restaurant that had been a comfort during his difficult times. “On a gloomy day, I ate ribs when I wanted to give up,” he recalled, highlighting the emotional significance of the food.
Park Seo-jin vowed to continue working hard, expressing gratitude to his fans and reaffirming his commitment to his initial goals. However, he later joked about his failed digital detox, saying, “No, I love digital.”
A Surprise Wedding and New Beginnings
Lee Min-woo’s story also took center stage in the episode. He surprised the production team with the news of his upcoming marriage, declaring, “I’m getting married now.” His journey began in 2013 after a tour in Japan, where he met his future bride. He later revealed that the couple had a child together, naming the baby Yangyang, inspired by a trip to Yangyang.
The broadcast showed Lee Min-woo spending time with his bride-to-be and her daughter, capturing the beauty of the bride, who resembled model Siho Yano and actress Lee Min-jung. His parents, initially shocked, shared their mixed feelings about the news. While his father admitted to initial sadness, he eventually accepted the situation, saying, “It’s inevitable when fate is there.”
His mother, meanwhile, struggled to share the news, fearing judgment from others. Despite the challenges, she expressed concern for her son’s well-being, acknowledging the difficulties he faced due to past financial issues and lack of stable income.
Lee Min-woo addressed the reality of his living situation, explaining that he and his bride-to-be would live with his parents and sister in a small space. His mother suggested moving to a rural house in Namwon, but Lee Min-woo insisted on staying close to his parents, especially due to his mother’s health conditions.
He also shared concerns about the future, including financial stability and his responsibilities as a husband and father. Despite these worries, he remained optimistic, expressing hope for a happy life with his new family.
The episode ended with Lee Min-woo making a video call to his bride-to-be, who was 11 years younger. Their affectionate exchange brought joy to the audience, highlighting the strength of their relationship.
A Touching Episode
This episode of Salimnam left a lasting impression on viewers, showcasing the personal journeys of Park Seo-jin and Lee Min-woo. Both artists reflected on their pasts, faced challenges head-on, and embraced new beginnings with courage and sincerity. The show continued to air every Saturday at 9:20 p.m. on KBS 2TV.