'MZ wannabe icon' IVE leader Ahn Yu-jin displayed a variety of charms, from a professional MC to exceptional chemistry.
Ahn Yu-jin appeared as 'my star' on the SBS variety show 'My manager who is too prickly for me - The Secretaries' (hereafter 'The Secretaries'), which aired on the 9th.
Having served as the MC of the 'SBS Gayo Daejeon' for four consecutive years, a total of six times, demonstrating unmatched performance, Ahn Yu-jin that day headed to the live broadcast site of the 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon together with Lee Seo-jin and Kim Kwang-kyu, who had transformed into one-day managers. While traveling in the car, Ahn Yu-jin cautiously shared her concern with the two seniors, saying, "I think I'll feel more comfortable if you call me something other than sunbaenim." To this, Kim Kwang-kyu said, "Call me whatever is comfortable," and Lee Seo-jin added, "Call me dad," suggesting that they treat him like a 'small uncle' and Kim Kwang-kyu like a 'big uncle.' At his remark, Ahn Yu-jin transformed into an affectionate daughter and niece, heralding the warm 'family chemistry.'
In particular, Ahn Yu-jin caught attention by introducing her own method for relieving tension, the "queen's mind" meme. She taught the two how to strike poses, imparting an attitude of remaining relaxed and positive in any situation, and during the schedule she even asked them to do the gestures together, drawing laughs.
When the full schedule began, Ahn Yu-jin's delicate side and wit stood out. When Kim Kwang-kyu said he would prepare drinks, Ahn Yu-jin showed meticulousness by checking the menus of the surrounding staff as well. Also, regarding Lee Seo-jin, who was watching her prepare a meal, she amused everyone with a witty comparison, saying, "The way you were staring from afar looked like a parent attending an observation class."
That day's professional appearance of Ahn Yu-jin as the 'Gayo Daejeon' MC also shone. Ahn Yu-jin kept smiling and radiating bright energy even through long rehearsals. At the same time, in the waiting room, when she saw Kim Kwang-kyu taking selfies with IVE members, she ran to Lee Seo-jin and said, "Big uncle is taking selfies with the members," completing a playful father-daughter-like chemistry that made viewers smile.
After successfully finishing the live broadcast, a cozy Christmas home-cooked meal party unfolded at Kim Kwang-kyu's house. Ahn Yu-jin repeatedly expressed admiration for the house Lee Seo-jin had decorated for the party, and when she faced a hearty Korean meal prepared by Kim Kwang-kyu, including braised pork ribs with kimchi and gang-doenjang, she replied with a happy eating show, saying, "As soon as I entered the house, it smelled like the home-cooked meal you get when you really go home." Then after the meal, she sought advice from the two life seniors and shared various stories, forming cross-generational empathy and adding warmth with a deep, surprising charm.
At the end of the broadcast, when asked to rate the managers, Ahn Yu-jin added a big laugh until the end with a witty joke, saying, "Entertainment was 100 points, but if you judge only the practical work, I don't think I'll see them again." At the same time, she expressed sincere gratitude, saying, "I think I'll keep thinking about this during next year's 'Gayo Daejeon.' It was a Christmas I truly couldn't have experienced," leaving a warm afterglow. Through this broadcast, Ahn Yu-jin once again cemented her presence as a 'versatile entertainer,' perfectly handling her main job as a singer as well as hosting and variety.
Meanwhile, IVE, which includes Ahn Yu-jin, opened the curtain on their second world tour 'SHOW WHAT I AM' at Seoul KSPO DOME in November last year. With an entry to Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan scheduled for April, they plan to hold world tour stops in various regions including Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania to communicate with fans around the world.
[Photo] SBS 'My manager who is too prickly for me - The Secretaries' broadcast capture
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