Comedian Park Narae and SHINee member Key's departures left a gap on I Live Alone, and SHINee's Minho will step in as the relief pitcher.
On the morning of the 18th, MBC variety show I Live Alone released preview stills of SHINee's Minho on set. In a recent I Live Alone recording, Minho met fellow marines and set out on a winter mountain march along the Baekdudaegan. The released photos show Minho, dubbed the "flame man," evoking old memories as if training, even donning combat boots for a romantic march that drew attention.
Minho's episode will air on the I Live Alone main broadcast on the 19th. During his military service, Minho volunteered to enlist in the Marines and was praised for showing that his "exercise idol" and "athlete idol" image came not just from looks but from a genuinely passionate approach to life. Moreover, Minho, who has continued relationships with those who shared joys and sorrows with him in the Marines even after discharge, reportedly expressed excitement at meeting his welcoming comrades, raising expectations.
Above all, this broadcast drew more attention because it is the first episode after recent gaps formed among I Live Alone cast members. Previously, fixed members Park Narae and SHINee's Key both left I Live Alone. Park Narae left first. Caught up in a raucous feud with former managers, she denied various allegations such as abuse of power, operating a one-person agency without registration, and paying a former boyfriend's salary by countersuing for extortion. However, when illegal medical practice allegations involving "auntie IV" and "auntie with an IV drip" were raised, she suspended broadcast activities. Having since avoided specific related comments, she has said she will settle disputes in court.
SHINee's Key was severely affected by the fallout from Park Narae's "auntie IV" while on a North American tour. The person referred to as the "auntie IV," surnamed Lee, was known to operate a dermatology clinic in Seoul's Gangnam and was known among K-pop fandoms to be acquainted with multiple idols. Key had visited the clinic through an introduction and knew the person as a doctor; only after Park Narae's controversy broke did he learn belatedly that the person was an illegal medical practitioner.
According to medical organizations, Lee carried out illegal medical procedures in Korea without a medical license. Furthermore, the Pokang Medical University in Inner Mongolia, China, which Lee claimed to have graduated from, was reported to be a nonexistent "ghost medical school." The Korean Medical Association Organization took the lead in filing a complaint against Lee for illegal medical practice. After finishing North American tour dates and fan sign events, Key announced through his agency SM Entertainment that he would suspend activities. He said he was greatly shocked to learn belatedly about the illegal medical procedures upon hearing the news about Park Narae and Lee during the North American tour, but recognized the seriousness of the matter and decided to suspend broadcasting activities.
With Park Narae mired in various allegations and Key shocked as a victim of medical fraud, Minho appears on I Live Alone. According to the preview, during filming he was chatting about recent lives with his fellow marines when Minho's past role as the person who handled various counseling during military life was revealed. He said, "I get a lot of calls at dawn," showing the loyal camaraderie of "once a marine, always a marine," which brought laughter and warmth.
Also appearing is Minho's Marine "favorite younger brother." The "favorite younger brother" who prepared this Gangwon-do course will reveal an unusual chemistry with Minho, and leading the "invincible marines" unit, they are expected to show undiminished stamina and passion on an 11 km round-trip mountain march. Saying, "Think of it as training today!", they even reveal Minho in Marine workout clothes as they hike through strong winds.
Beyond the cast changes, as I Live Alone remains MBC's flagship variety show, attention is heavily focused on the main broadcast. Eyes are on Minho's story, which will show the first episode. I Live Alone is an observational single-life trend program that shows the colorful rainbow lives of single-person household stars. It airs Fridays at 11:10 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC.
[OSEN]