[Sportschosun Lee Woo-joo] 'Radio Star' delivered a string of sharp, punchy laughs on Wednesday night with Kim Jeong-eun, Lee Han-wi, Solbi and Kinky, much like the appeal of short-form content. Kim Jeong-eun cheerfully recounted a major mishap caused by her name and the behind-the-scenes story of the 'Lovers in Paris' craze. Lee Han-wi spoke candidly about his love story with his wife, who is 19 years younger, and the realities of an age-gap marriage. Solbi drew laughs with her recent transformation into short-drama writer 'Laura Jang' and her love-hate chemistry with Kim Gu-ra, while Kinky showed off his presence with behind-the-scenes stories from his work as a leading K-pop choreographer and his new challenge. Thanks to their performances, 'Radio Star' ranked No. 1 in nationwide and metropolitan area ratings in its time slot, as well as No. 1 among viewers aged 20 to 54.
The MBC 'Radio Star' episode aired on the 17th and was themed 'Lovers of Short-Form Content,' featuring actress Kim Jeong-eun, actor Lee Han-wi, singer and painter Solbi, and dancer-choreographer Kinky. The show was produced by Choi Yoon-jung and directed by Yoon Hye-jin, Hwang Yun-sang and Byeon Da-hee.
According to Nielsen Korea on the 18th, the previous night's 'Radio Star' recorded a nationwide rating of 3.2 percent and a metropolitan area rating of 3.4 percent, taking first place in its time slot. It also ranked first among viewers aged 20 to 54. The highest-rated minute came during a scene in which Solbi clashed with Kim Gu-ra over a cosmetic procedure, igniting their trademark bickering chemistry and peaking at 4.4 percent.
Kim Jeong-eun showed off her variety-show instincts from the start, saying, "I came here because I wanted to be funny." She said she had long hesitated to appear despite repeated requests from the production team, but decided to join 'Radio Star' after recently filming a short-form drama. When Kim Gook-jin asked, "You kept turning down the offer, but now you came because you wanted to be funny?" Kim Jeong-eun naturally warmed up the conversation, replying, "As I’ve lived, I’ve come to think being funny is the best thing."
A name-related mishap brought big laughs that day. Kim Jeong-eun revealed that one of a couple she is close with has the name Lee Jae-myung, surprising everyone. When she called a restaurant in Korea to make a reservation and said, "The reservation is under Kim Jeong-eun, and the guest is Lee Jae-myung," the staff thought it was a prank call and hung up. Kim Jeong-eun said she had to call back and explain, "I’m really the actress Kim Jeong-eun, and my friend is Lee Jae-myung," drawing laughter.
She also shared behind-the-scenes stories from her signature work, 'Lovers in Paris.' Kim Jeong-eun said the drama once reached a peak rating of 57.6 percent, but at the time she was so busy that she could not fully feel its popularity. She recalled being surrounded by middle school students while traveling with Park Shin-yang and Lee Dong-gun during an outdoor shoot, saying she experienced the drama’s explosive fame firsthand when fans even pulled at her hair. "The first time they pulled at it, I was happy even while they were pulling," she said, sending the studio into laughter.
She also expressed frustration over impersonations of 'Lovers in Paris.' Kim Jeong-eun explained that her character Kang Tae-young was energetic and a little clumsy, so she was simply reacting naturally. But when comedians later imitated her, they exaggerated her lines with sounds like "oh" and "ooh," which she found unfair. She added that in the famous "Baby, let's go" scene, she had no line of her own, but since she could not just stand there, she inserted a small reaction like "Me?"
Kim Jeong-eun also revealed the secret behind maintaining the leather suit fit she wore in 'Strong Girl Nam-soon.' "That wasn't even photoshopped," she said, crediting yoga as the key to keeping her figure in shape. After saying she manages her body through yoga stretching, she demonstrated a difficult pose and even suggested a couple's yoga session with Kim Gu-ra. Kim Gu-ra, who has practiced Pilates for years, surprised everyone by showing unexpected flexibility.
Kim Jeong-eun also shared a 30-year-old connection with Kim Gook-jin. She said that before her acting debut, she appeared on a dating program as a college student and unexpectedly ended up in the MC seat. She recalled that Kim Gook-jin, who was there at the time, was considerate and told her, "Don't feel pressured. Just relax and do it." She then praised him highly, saying, "Among everyone in the entertainment industry, senior Kim Gook-jin ranks No. 1 in character." Kim Gook-jin joked back, "Wow, I really am amazing. I must be a good person," drawing laughter.
Lee Han-wi candidly shared the love story with his wife, who is 19 years younger. He said that while appearing in the drama 'Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin,' his role ended earlier than expected, and his wife, who was working on the drama's makeup team at the time, reached out first because she was curious about how he was doing. Lee Han-wi clarified, "We ended up getting married, but I wasn't making a move on her back then. It was just a connection built over a few delicious meals I bought her."
When the hosts asked whether he had been the one to approach first, Lee Han-wi immediately replied, "Would that make someone human?" drawing loud laughter. He said he asked his wife, who had shown interest in him, whether she was serious, and that he tried to persuade and even scold her over three to four months in an effort to dissuade her. In the end, he asked, "Could you even marry me?" and she answered, "Why not?" Lee Han-wi said hearing that felt like being hit 100 times with a toy hammer, and admitted that worry came before excitement.
Lee Han-wi said that, among people known at the time of his marriage, a 19-year age gap was sensational, and that marriages with large age differences became more common afterward. Still, he said, "Many people may envy it, but in my case there is also hardship and fear," speaking honestly about the practical concerns that come with a generational gap.
He also recalled his days as an original fashion icon. Lee Han-wi said he once spent hundreds of millions of won on clothes, showing how serious he was about fashion. While calling his current style "fashion with a clear head," he still pointed out a subtle detail in his outfit that day, proving he had not lost his eye for detail. When praise came up for his hair volume, he proudly said, "Look at my friends. Most of them are almost gone. It's genetic," drawing more laughter.
His behind-the-scenes story with director Yoon Seok-ho, known for the Four Seasons series, also drew attention. Lee Han-wi recalled that during the filming of 'Autumn in My Heart,' Yoon, who valued natural light, looked up at the sky and said, "This natural light is for the leads," then stopped filming for supporting actors and called in the main cast, including Song Seung-heon, Won Bin, Song Hye-kyo and Han Chae-young. The supporting actors had to wait and film the next day. He later told the story to the audience at a Four Seasons drama concert in Tokyo, Japan, and said he even received a direct apology from the director, adding to the laughter.
Lee Han-wi also shared his acting know-how for short-form drama endings. He said that because short-form dramas require a strong impression in a brief runtime, he has developed his own technique for making the final cut memorable. His playful delivery made the talk segment even richer.
Solbi immediately showed her presence as 'Radio Star's' unofficial Kim Gu-ra dissenter by bringing up their long-running dispute over cosmetic procedures. She said that while filming content with Kim Gu-ra in the past, they had a long argument over whether a skin clinic treatment had been done. Kim Gu-ra insisted that lifting was not a procedure, while Solbi countered, "If you pull it anywhere, it's a procedure." The argument continued in the studio that day, and Kim Gu-ra eventually admitted, "Fine, I do get procedures," drawing laughter.
Solbi also revealed that she has recently transformed into short-drama writer Laura Jang. She said that three years ago, she dreamed about an ex-boyfriend and, since she could not meet him again, began writing down those feelings. That became the work 'My Ex-Boyfriend Is a Top Star,' which was later selected in a Korea Creative Content Agency contest and developed into an actual drama. Solbi's new challenge, in which she used AI like a co-writer to draft the script, drew everyone's attention. She also said the project ranked No. 1 in Japan on a global platform, marking a meaningful achievement as a writer.
Her next project plans were even bolder. Solbi said she is preparing a new work titled 'My Husband's Dating Counseling,' explaining that it began as a 29-plus romance but has now been mixed with mystery. She added that she is also planning a project called 'My Husband Is a Host,' surprising the cast. She even sent Kim Jeong-eun an impromptu casting offer, saying the image of the lead would suit her well. Kim Jeong-eun shot back, "Do I have to take my clothes off?" heating up the studio.
She also talked about her life as a painter. Solbi shared an anecdote about being commissioned to create two 150-ho paintings for an overseas exhibition. A customer living in the United States bought one of her works after seeing it while traveling in Portugal, and later requested a custom piece. Solbi said that while there are prejudices against art entertainers in Korea, overseas audiences evaluate them highly. She also expressed pride in being the first award winner in her field.
She then laughed by admitting that the money she earns from painting goes right back into producing albums. Solbi said she even hired staff to prepare her new song, only to reveal that the staff member was actually a paid AI, surprising everyone. She said the AI is helping plan marketing and that she is building her promotional strategy around it, leaving the cast visibly stunned.
Kinky gave his first appearance on 'Radio Star' special meaning. It was his first TV appearance in a while since 'Street Man Fighter,' and he said his parents had been worrying, asking, "Why aren't you on TV these days?" He expressed pride, saying this appearance would feel like a filial piety video for them.
His glittering career as a leading K-pop choreographer also drew attention. He said he never imagined becoming a choreographer before 'SMF' aired, but after the show, STAYC's agency requested choreography, which led to work for aespa, Red Velvet and I.O.I. When Kim Gook-jin asked about choreography fees after hearing that he gets paid just for sending a draft, Yoo Se-yoon whispered that it was "the price of a car," and Kim Gook-jin reacted, "That's incredible."
The behind-the-scenes story of aespa's 'Whiplash' choreography also became a topic of conversation. Kinky said, "I don't know whether my choreography was used until the song is released," describing the tension choreographers feel. He then used aespa's 'Whiplash' as an example, saying it was awkward to claim full credit for the choreography. He explained that the famous neck-grabbing move in the chorus was choreographed by La Chica, while some parts before and after it were his own, drawing laughter.
Kinky also shared a quirky recent update, saying he has been suffering from "plainness syndrome." He said that after enjoying flashy accessories and bold styling, he suddenly became drawn to monochrome clothes and a more understated mood, showing the side of a professional who fully commits to a new direction. His witty remarks and story about changing styles brought a fresh kind of laughter to the studio. He then revealed that beyond being a choreographer and dancer, he is taking on a one-man play in Daehangno. Kinky will appear as the lead in the solo play 'Cruise,' which opens in October as its Korean premiere.
From Kim Jeong-eun's name-related mishap to Lee Han-wi's realistic love story, Solbi's transformation into a writer and Kinky's K-pop choreography stories, the 'Lovers of Short-Form Content' special was a collection of brief episodes that left a lasting laugh. The four guests, each drawing on their own careers and turning them into variety-show material, brought cheerful energy to Wednesday night viewers.
Meanwhile, next Wednesday night's episode of 'Radio Star' will feature Lee Ji-young, Kim Dae-ho, Kyung Soo-jin and Kim Min-kyung in a special titled 'Everyone Is Fighting Their Own Convictions.' 'Radio Star' remains a beloved talk show known for its sharp, unpredictable banter, which disarms guests and draws out their real stories.
wjlee@sportschosun.com
