MBN's 'Let's Go! (Gaboja Go)' Season 4 has made a smooth start.
In the first episode of the variety show 'Let's Go! 4', aired on the 9th, actress Kang Bu-ja, who has dedicated 64 years to her acting career, appeared as the first guest, bringing laughter and emotion, successfully returning to weekend nights following the previous season.
MCs Ahn Jung-hwan and Hong Hyun-hee were invited to Kang Bu-ja's home in Cheongdam-dong, where they were amazed by the house filled with exquisite artworks from the entrance to the living room. Kang Bu-ja's home not only showcased art pieces but also reflected her love and philosophy for acting, cultivated over her 64-year career. She introduced a display case containing hairpins and accessories she collected while appearing in historical dramas, stating, “There are props provided, but I bought these myself. So, when I see props that don't match the roles in recent historical dramas, it makes me angry.”
Furthermore, Kang Bu-ja shared, “I never accept sponsorship for costumes. If I accept sponsorship, I can't act freely. If I can't shoot on the day, I have to connect the shoot to the next day, but if I have sponsorship, that becomes difficult, so I prepare everything with my own clothes,” revealing her philosophy on acting.
Kang Bu-ja also expressed her deep affection for her family. She revealed that she had a secret relationship with actor Lee Muk-won, her fellow KBS talent recruit and known as the original 'murderous smile', for about four years, saying, “My husband is the eldest son of seven siblings, and seeing that made me think, ‘I need to become a pillar in this family,’ which led to our marriage.” She showed her affection while looking at her granddaughters' first birthday photos, saying, “This one became a lawyer, this one is a medical student, and this one is a scholarship student at the University of Michigan.”
Kang Bu-ja's home featured works by artists Kim Heung-soo, Kim Jong-hak, and Noh Sang-kyun, as well as a piece by artist Kim Chang-yeol, which she purchased by paying a little each month like a group fund 40 years ago, all of which captivated everyone's attention, reminiscent of a museum. In particular, a cabinet revealed to be the work of human cultural asset Han Sang-soo, with beautifully arranged items, evoked admiration from all.
In this broadcast, Kang Bu-ja, who revealed her home for the first time, said, “Even if I reveal my home, I won't get my money back. Some people say, ‘Is this all Kang Bu-ja can afford?’ while others say, ‘Kang Bu-ja lives so well,’ leading to mixed opinions.” She cautiously explained why she had not revealed her home until now, adding, “These are works I have collected with my best efforts over 60 years. I spent my fixed income on living expenses and collected artworks one by one whenever I had extra income,” expressing her affection for the pieces.
After finishing the house tour, self-proclaimed soccer enthusiast Kang Bu-ja spent a happy time discussing soccer with Ahn Jung-hwan. She vividly recalled, “I watched the Italy match live in 2002, and Ahn Jung-hwan was so cool then,” and shared, “Recently, I watched a match with Tottenham's Son Heung-min, and Yang Min-hyuk was on the substitute list. I stayed up all night to see him play,” revealing her special affection for soccer, stating, “If there’s a match like the World Cup, even if I have a drama shoot, I stay up all night to watch it.”
When Hong Hyun-hee asked, “Do you have a favorite overseas player?” Kang Bu-ja replied, “I like Griezmann, Neymar, and Mbappé.” When asked about “Park Ji-sung vs. Ahn Jung-hwan,” she said, “Soccer is definitely Park Ji-sung,” expressing her feelings, “It was touching when Park Ji-sung was entrusted to coach Hiddink.”
Kang Bu-ja also revealed stories she had kept hidden for a long time. She shared an anecdote about crying during the farewell broadcast of Dongyang Broadcasting (TBC), which had been loved for a long time as an exclusive talent, when it closed due to media consolidation in 1980. She also shared the story of receiving a golf invitation from the late Lee Byung-chul, the founder of Samsung, after that incident, sparking curiosity with various revelations.
Meanwhile, 'Let's Go! Season 4' is a nationwide house tour program that visits the homes of stars who send invitations to MCs Ahn Jung-hwan and Hong Hyun-hee, sharing life stories together, airing every Sunday night at 10:30 PM.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
