Park Jin-Young, Ahn So-hee, Boom and Kwon Jin-ah appeared on "Radio Star," which captured first place in its time slot with a rich talk that included laughter, sincerity and music. Park Jin-Young showed his sincerity as he confessed the beliefs he has lived by while working as a singer for 30 years and as the head of JYP, and he drew attention by completing a dance with Ahn So-hee and a duet stage with Kwon Jin-ah. Boom also filled the studio with laughter with his broadcaster-worthy performance.
On the broadcast on the 5th, "Radio Star" (planned by Kang Young-sun / directed by Hwang Yoon-sang, Byun Da-hee) was presented as a "JYPick Eut Jja!" special featuring Park Jin-Young, Ahn So-hee, Boom and Kwon Jin-ah and received favorable reviews. On the 6th, Nielsen Korea reported a household rating of 3.7% in the Seoul metropolitan area, ranking first in its time slot. The "top minute" was 4.8%, taken by the scene in which Boom confessed his incurable "jolbyeong" of getting nervous around big names.
On "Radio Star," Park Jin-Young, who releases new songs whenever he appears, revealed the behind-the-scenes story of being appointed co-chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange. He said, "I refused for three months, but I decided for the future of the K-pop industry," and added, "It was an idea to try something at the national level that the company could not do." He especially shared an anecdote that the offer to be chairperson overlapped with his "Radio Star" appearance schedule, joking, "The president was at a national strategy meeting, and I was on 'Radio Star,'" prompting laughter with his trademark wit.
Park Jin-Young said, "I kept my mouth shut for 30 years because I was worried about being misunderstood politically, but this time I wanted to speak honestly," and declared, "I am neither progressive nor conservative — I am Park Jin-Young." He said, "Progressives are necessary to protect ordinary people, but conservative policies must also exist for balance," and added, "Seeing that both sides are needed in the current era, I try to keep the center," expressing his heartfelt conviction. At that moment Ahn So-hee covered her face, saying, "I'm so embarrassed," and when Park Jin-Young said, "Stray Kids said this line was okay," Kim Gu-ra quipped, "That's social life," turning the studio into a sea of laughter.
He went on to say that JYP ranked third in the world and first in Korea in the ESG "global sustainability companies" ranking, adding, "A system with sincerity ultimately works." He joked, "The old building was built by Bi and Wonder Girls, and the new building was built by Stray Kids and TWICE," and revealed his thorough management philosophy, saying, "I wanted the company to be able to provide organic lunchboxes."
He also showed his doting father side. "My two daughters are 6 and 5 years old. These days their specialty is playing rodeo. Outside I'm a singer, but at home I kneel and lie down," he said, adding, "The older one is extraordinary at dancing and the younger one is good at singing. I really hope they become singers," which warmed hearts. Kim Gu-ra said, "It's an artistic DNA family," showing his envy.
Ahn So-hee, who returned to "Radio Star" after 14 years, said, "Back then I was very shy and quiet, so I was asked 'Are you okay?' the most," drawing laughter. She said, "Now I'm older, and I thought it would be fun to be with PD Park Jin-Young, so I came out," and led the talk with a more relaxed demeanor.
Ahn So-hee candidly revealed behind-the-scenes stories from her Wonder Girls days and the difficulties of entering the U.S. market. "At that time I hated the retro concept. Wearing clothes my peers wouldn't wear and tying my hair made me lose confidence," she recalled. Park Jin-Young exposed, "At first the members even disliked the song," prompting laughter.
He said, "At first she disliked the nickname 'Mandu So-hee' and the 'Oh my' reaction, but now she's grateful," and added, "Park Bo-young said she had the same worries. Being remembered for a long time is ultimately a blessing."
Park Jin-Young laughed, "When we ate together after a long time, So-hee kept asking questions whenever there was a pause. I thought she had started social life," and Ahn So-hee confessed, "Doing YouTube gave me hosting syndrome."
He continued, "You've watched me since I was 13, so you still worry about my meals. Now I'm in my 30s, so I hope you'll stop worrying," conveying a loving request.
That day the two performed the "Change me" dance on the spot, showing perfect chemistry. Park Jin-Young said, "So-hee is the only one who calls me JY," and called her "a friend more comfortable than family." Ahn So-hee said, "When I was active in the U.S., everyone called me JY, so I naturally started calling him that," showing their special friendship. He also revealed varied recent activities, from theater stage work to a wine collaboration, and said, "I enjoy being on stage again," smiling brightly.
Boom said, "Park Jin-Young and I were in the same class," calling himself the energetic "jjopa," and heated up the set from the start with his distinctive energy. But Park Jin-Young drew a line, saying, "Our vibes are different," which brought big laughs.
He recalled competing as a trainee with Bi and Se7en during his days at Anyang Arts High School, saying, "Back then, debut was everything. I wanted to join Park Jin-Young hyung's company," remembering the passion of his school days. Boom set up a keyboard and microphone and performed to match Park Jin-Young's voice, flipping the studio with a skit-like ending. Park Jin-Young praised, "I feel the sincerity," and Kim Gu-ra admired, "That's Boom's survivability."
Boom said, "In my 20th year in broadcasting, I always try not to lose my初心," adding, "Whenever it's hard I press that button to reset, and I approach every broadcast like it's the first one." He joked, "My daughter is 19 months old and strikes an ending pose whenever I dance. The parts I had surgery on resemble my wife, and the parts I didn't resemble me," drawing laughter. His sincere variety philosophy and warm family stories resonated with viewers.
Kwon Jin-ah declared a new leap, saying, "I left Antenna after 10 years and established a one-person agency." She cheerfully said, "While working on a duet with a JYP senior, I ate at the company's cafeteria. If you could acquire our small company, I'd be grateful," which made the studio burst into laughter. Park Jin-Young marveled, "Even now you use the word 'value.'"
Kwon Jin-ah candidly shared behind-the-scenes stories of her independence, saying, "CEO Yoo Hee-yeol joked at my concert that he would 'let the snake loose.'" She also mentioned connections with stars such as Gong Yoo, Lee Hyori, Suzy, Park Bo-gum and IVE's Liz, saying, "Thanks to Gong Yoo senior I flew business class for the first time, and the mug Liz gifted was 1,000,000 won," expressing surprise.
She revealed an anecdote about visiting Park Jin-Young's house, saying, "It looked like the house from 'Parasite.' He said something so wonderful that I suddenly teared up." Park Jin-Young had comforted her, "I never thought I'd live in a house like this either. There's nothing you can't do," and Kwon Jin-ah said, "That one line made me choke up." Toward the end of the broadcast, the two moved viewers on their way home with a duet performance of the new song "Happy Hour (after work)."
Meanwhile, next week's broadcast on the 12th is prepared as a "Talent Ivy League" special featuring Ji Hyun-woo, Ivy, Kim Jun-hyun and Kim Kyu-won.
[photo] OSEN DB, MBC
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