'Radio Star' delivered laughs with revelations from Jung Ho-young and Sam Kim, who built camaraderie while appearing on cooking variety shows together, and Kim Junsu and Jung Sun-ah, who met as musical colleagues and later as agency CEO and actor.
On the March 28 broadcast, MBC variety show 'Radio Star' featured Jung Ho-young, Sam Kim, Kim Junsu and Jung Sun-ah, who shared behind-the-scenes stories from their stages and candid reality talk that resonated with viewers.
According to Nielsen Korea on the 29th, that day's broadcast of 'Radio Star' recorded a household rating of 3.0%, ranking first in its time slot, and it also ranked first in the 20-54 ratings for the time slot. The highest one-minute rating was 4.2%, and the peak came when Jung Sun-ah recounted the behind-the-scenes story of deciding to sign with the agency after seeing Kim Junsu's "Golden House."
Chef Jung Ho-young opened the talk by saying he has noticed changed reactions from people around him since 'Culinary Class Wars: culinary class wars season 2' (hereafter 'Culinary Class Wars 2'). When Kim Gu Ra noted, "I sometimes go to the restaurant and you're always there. Business is good, but there was always emptiness and longing on your face," Jung Ho-young replied, "I think a lot of my desires have been fulfilled since 'Culinary Class Wars 2,'" prompting laughter. He added, "People who used to see me for five years suddenly ask to take photos," saying he has felt a change in his daily life since the broadcast.
Jung Ho-young also revealed his current running crew activities. He said he enjoys running with You Se Yoon, Yang Se-hyung and Kang Jae-jun, adding, "I'm happiest when we run together and then eat something delicious." He went on, "I completed 10 km in 58 minutes. Once I pick up speed I get faster on the downhill," showing how serious he is about exercise. An episode about consulting Jun Hyun-moo before appearing on 'Radio Star' also drew laughs. Jung Ho-young said, "Jun Hyun-moo recommended an Ulthera X procedure. He said it works very well," and Kim Gu Ra shot back with his trademark barbs, "What does that have to do with 'Radio Star'?" turning the studio into a sea of laughter.
He also showed frank ambition about commercials. Jung Ho-young said he wanted to shoot a blender commercial with Sam Kim, jokingly criticizing himself, "Only people who like us like us, and we don't seem to be that popular. But if I were an advertiser I'd probably go to Chef Son Jong-won," which caused uproarious laughter. He then addressed the camera, "We can do a one-plus-one deal for a low price," sending a love call to advertisers and leaving a clear impression of his character.
Sam Kim completed the chemistry by alternating between revelations and jokes centered on his long relationship with Jung Ho-young and behind-the-scenes of the 'Culinary Class Wars 2' team competitions. He said, "Ho-young hyung has a lot of strategies. He seems round and easygoing, but he thinks deeply," and added, "When he gets lazy he passes things to me," which drew laughter. When Jung Ho-young explained, "That's how the editing turned out," Sam Kim shot back, "In the end I'm packaged like the fixer, and I'm satisfied," heating up the set.
The strict secrecy atmosphere of 'Culinary Class Wars 2' was also revealed. Sam Kim said, "I tried to slyly ask the many chefs from 'Chef & My Fridge' if they had been contacted, and everyone said no. But when I opened the door on the first day, they were all sitting there," vividly conveying the fierce jockeying for position among the participants. A surprising confession about ads followed. When Jung Ho-young complained that he hadn't received any ads, Sam Kim revealed, "Actually, I got a lot of offers. Photo shoots, electronics, even franchises contacted me. I haven't filmed any," leaving Jung Ho-young embarrassed.
Sam Kim also shared stories about elementary school fandoms. He said, "On 'Chef & My Fridge' we're very popular with elementary school students," and added, "My fans get sensitive when I compete against Chef Son Jong-won and even send DMs saying 'lose,'" which made everyone laugh. In contrast, Son Jong-won's fans "say it's okay to lose, just enjoy it," he said, adding, "It seems to be a difference between upper and lower grades," painting the set with laughter. He then confessed about the 'golden kid' days when he left for culinary study abroad behind his mother's back, calmly conveying his sincerity about cooking and current recognition, which added to the empathy.
Kim Junsu balanced between 'CEO mode' and 'artist mode' during the talk. He said he prepared Dubai jjondeuk cookie for the MCs, explaining candidly, "I gave it as a gift because I thought they treated me comfortably, so I prepared it." Jang Do-youn acknowledged Kim Junsu's preparedness by mentioning the spread laid out in the waiting room.
Business talk continued. Kim Junsu recalled his past experience running an internet cafe, saying, "It became a free hangout spot, and I closed it after a year and six months, but I was the only one in the red," sharing his failure story. Recently, however, he has become into horror escape rooms and confessed his business ambition to create a proper space. With an impromptu dance time added, Kim Junsu dominated both the talk and the performance.
Jung Sun-ah left a deep impression with realistic stories that crossed the stage and behind the scenes. She said she closed the tanning salon she once ran as a side job, joking, "As I got older, fair skin looked more elegant," which drew laughter. She then revealed the behind-the-scenes story of signing with the agency with Kim Junsu, delivering the episode that marked the day's best one minute. Jung Sun-ah said, "When I went home after the contract talk, the entrance was gilded. I thought it was the house of an Egyptian rich person or a Saudi prince," adding, "I felt I could entrust my golden future here, so I decided to sign right away," which sent the studio into laughter.
She candidly recounted extreme situations behind the stage. Jung Sun-ah revealed she once performed wearing an adult diaper while infected with norovirus, explaining, "I was the sole lead so there was no understudy." Kim Junsu sympathized, saying, "Norovirus is the worst," and MC You Se Yoon quipped, "At that point aren't you the norovirus yourself?" which devastated the set. Recounting how prejudice against idols turned into respect and the intensity on stage, Jung Sun-ah showed her true face as a musical actor.
Revelations, confessions and behind-the-scenes stories unfolded within the friendships of the four, and their bittersweet talk, based on realistic episodes, left a deep impression grounded in laughter.<
[Photo] Provided by MBC.
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