'Salim Nam' has ranked first in overall Saturday variety shows for 7 consecutive weeks.
In the episode aired on the 12th, KBS 2TV's 'Salim Nam Season 2' featured Park Seo-jin's sister Hyo-jung's experience as a daily manager and Ji Sang-ryeol's second episode of the 'Rejuvenation Project'. The viewership rating recorded 7.0% according to Nielsen Korea's nationwide aggregate, with a peak rating of 8.1% during a scene where Park Seo-jin performed passionately despite an ankle injury.
Notably, this episode achieved the second highest overall viewership rating across all programs aired that day, including dramas, variety shows, and documentaries on terrestrial, cable, and comprehensive channels. The 2049 viewership rating, a key indicator for advertisers, also recorded high figures, proving its strong popularity and buzz.
On this day, special guest Mei from the seven-member multinational group Say My Name appeared, and Park Seo-jin's daily life was revealed. Recently, Seo-jin, who has been struggling with a leg ankle injury, expressed his discomfort, saying, "Using crutches has made my armpits and wrists hurt." Hyo-jung, who observed this closely, worried about her brother, who returned home with swollen legs after finishing his schedule. To help Seo-jin, who had two regional schedules despite his ankle injury, Hyo-jung volunteered to be his 'daily manager'.
Hyo-jung appeared in a black suit and sunglasses, supporting Seo-jin and embodying the role of both manager and bodyguard. Park Seo-jin commented on Hyo-jung's appearance, saying, "You look like someone important in that suit," to which Hyo-jung humorously replied, "I can't be someone important for you."
Then, Hyo-jung's close care began. She not only drove but also prepared various items for Seo-jin's care, including a neck pillow, walkie-talkie, and bear soup for nourishment. Notably, Hyo-jung made and prepared a cast shoe decorated with glow sticks and bells to ensure Seo-jin's feet wouldn't get stepped on in the crowd, drawing attention.
Even on the way to the schedule location, Hyo-jung worried about Seo-jin as both family and manager. She advised him, "The stage is important, but be careful with your leg, brother," as Seo-jin usually performs intense jumps and flashy performances while playing the traditional drum.
In response, Park Seo-jin recalled his difficult days as an unknown artist, working alone without a manager, and shared why he had to perform on stage despite his leg injury. He said, "In the past, I didn't have a car, so I would carry my clothes and makeup tools in a bag and take the bus. On windy and cold days, I had to wait for three to four hours in a bathroom that blocked the wind because there were no waiting rooms," revealing his struggles. He continued, "When I went by foot, the safety personnel thought I was just a regular audience member and didn't stop me. I was even envious of how the performers were checked."
Nevertheless, Park Seo-jin, who longed for the stage, shared that he personally attached sequins bought from the market to make his outfits and actively sought opportunities to perform. He surprised everyone by saying, "Since no one called me, I would directly call when I saw event or festival banners."
Park Seo-jin, who was so introverted that he found it hard to make eye contact, revealed that he practiced countless times on how to ask, "You don't have to pay me, but can you let me perform on stage?" before making calls. He added, "Actually, I have a fear of making phone calls. So, while I was praying, 'Please don't answer this call,' I mustered the courage to call. I had no choice because I love singing so much," expressing his desperation for the stage.
He continued, "Even now, there are many singers who are striving to get on stage. That's why I have to give my all and sing with sincerity for every single stage," to which MC Baek Ji-young admired, "Seo-jin looks genuinely happy when he sings."
While talking with Hyo-jung, Park Seo-jin seemed to pause and hesitate, lost in old memories. It turned out that he had a stomach ache from eating too much bear soup that Hyo-jung had prepared. In a serious atmosphere, the siblings hurried to a rest area, and Seo-jin struggled to hold back his bowels. After a series of twists and turns, they arrived at the rest area, and Seo-jin took a wheelchair pushed by Hyo-jung for quick movement, covering his face in embarrassment as he rushed to the bathroom. Ultimately, he provided great laughter with a 'sudden urge' incident and falling from the wheelchair.
After arriving at the event venue, Hyo-jung diligently fulfilled her role as a daily manager. Park Seo-jin took off his cast and went on stage to showcase his drum performance, demonstrating his passion. He said, "It really hurt. I went on stage with a compression bandage and a brace. Just standing was exhausting, and I was sweating," yet he completed the performance with all his heart.
Seeing her brother's passionate performance, Hyo-jung remarked, "I wondered if he was really in pain because he was overflowing with passion," and added, "Even though he is my brother, I thought he was really cool at that moment." Following fan requests, she joined her brother on stage to greet the audience, showcasing their unique sibling chemistry. Afterward, Hyo-jung prepared an ice pack for her brother to take care of him attentively.
Park Seo-jin's fighting spirit continued at the next event venue. Hyo-jung carefully monitored her brother's condition from behind the stage, not taking her eyes off him for a moment. After the performance, Park Seo-jin expressed, "It was really touching to see you watching me the whole time. I was so proud and grateful for you fulfilling your role diligently," and promised to grant Hyo-jung one wish for her hard work, to which she requested, "Please remember my birthday." Park Seo-jin replied, "I'm an event box. Look forward to it. I'll make you cry and laugh," raising expectations.
The second part of Ji Sang-ryeol's 'Rejuvenation Project' followed. After receiving anti-aging tips from the 'self-management queen' actress Sunwoo Yong-yeo in the first part, Ji Sang-ryeol met Subin from the group Dalshabet, who boasts a cheerful energy. He revealed, "There are three daughters in the entertainment industry. The first is Jo Bo-ah, the second is Subin, and the third is Joo Hyun-young," revealing unexpected connections.
As soon as she appeared, Subin greeted Ji Sang-ryeol with her unique energy, overwhelming him with her enthusiasm, and Ji Sang-ryeol jokingly said, "It's the first time I've been turned off by a woman. If I meet Subin when I haven't slept, I could lie down for two days because my energy would be drained."
Subin then encouraged Ji Sang-ryeol to date, saying, "You need to date to get endorphins flowing and feel more alive." MC Eun Ji-won agreed, saying, "When you date, you want to look good for the other person," drawing attention.
The two then officially began a 'beer yoga' class, drinking beer while practicing yoga. However, Ji Sang-ryeol, with his body stiffened by aging, unintentionally performed physical comedy, spilling beer everywhere. He also faced the humiliation of almost passing gas and falling, providing viewers with laughter.
After beer yoga, Subin connected Ji Sang-ryeol with a video call to a beautiful woman she thought of, who turned out to be Kang Ye-na, a former principal dancer of the Universal Ballet Company and currently an actress and director. During the call, when Subin asked, "What do you think of Sang-ryeol oppa?" the beautiful dancer expressed her fondness, saying, "I like Ji Sang-ryeol's jokes." Ji Sang-ryeol playfully suggested, "Let's meet sometime and mix our tonsils," setting up a date and raising the romantic atmosphere.
MC Eun Ji-won, who was watching this in the studio, expressed surprise, saying, "It's hard to match comedic codes, but you two get along well," while Park Seo-jin couldn't hide his excitement, saying, "It seems like a real connection might be forming."
This episode of 'Salim Nam' provided deep emotional moments with the strong chemistry between Park Seo-jin and Hyo-jung, as well as Seo-jin's passionate performance on stage despite his injury. Additionally, Ji Sang-ryeol's second part of the 'Rejuvenation Project' brought laughter through his delightful encounters with Subin and Kang Ye-na, adding a unique fun with unexpected romantic vibes.
'Salim Nam' airs every Saturday at 9:20 PM on KBS 2TV.
