Original subtitles

[30-second preview] Then I told her. "There's no spark in his eyes!"

"You don't have a spark in your eyes either!"

Seriously.

You should worry about yourself.

I woke up in the morning and the birds were chirping away.

Ah, so the birds were trying to warn you.

- "This is no time for sleep!" - "You're in huge trouble!"

"It's absolute chaos!"

"The whole world's been turned upside down!"

"Are you insane? How can you possibly be sleeping right now?"

I don't think this guy ever wants to stop.

Seriously, are we filming three episodes today?

The back of her hair has grown out a bit.

I swear it wasn't touching her shoulders, but it's grown.

[Fake bread]

[Fake fruit]

[And after a year... A Fake Life returns]

[We've been waiting for you. We'll give you the royal treatment]

[Today, we're gonna have some "real" fun and just talk our heads off]

[Pinggyego!]

[This video contains a paid advertisement from iloom]

Oh my, it looks like we have some sponsors with us today, don't we?

Hey, isn't that the table Woo Seok was running with in that commercial?

[The same table actor Woo Seok ran with in the ad] No way, they actually sent it to us?

[See Pinggyego EP.90] Yeah, because last time, Cha Tae Hyun...

[As a gift for the Gyewon's new office] asked us to get him an iloom chair.

[Tae Hyun, the iloom chair requester] That's right.

[iloom saw that and contacted us directly] And after seeing that, iloom...

[Tae Hyun brought us this windfall] He ended up bringing us this incredible gift.

Wow, thank you so much, iloom!

The iloom Up Motion Table.

If I press this, it goes down, right?

[Amazed as he operates the motion table]

They make things so well these days.

It's a motion dining table with adjustable height.

This is perfect for when you have kids!

Wow, Tae Hyun kept going on about iloom...

And it really is comfortable!

Later, I'm going to raise it up like this

and give everyone a little surprise.

Maybe I should ask Tae Hyun to get me one of these, too.

Tae Hyun, you did it!

Thank you, iloom.

Is this from iloom, too?

What's all this?

[Breakfast for the A Fake Life crew] That is so we can all eat together later.

[Hamburg steak set meal] Whoa, what is this? For breakfast?

Oh, Seok Jin is gonna love this.

[Adjusting the height for the guests]

If I leave it like this...

[Discovery]

This is incredible.

[Delivering his lines smooth as silk]

[A Fake Life member Sae Ho arrives] Hello there, good morning!

[Immediately offers him a seat] Have a seat.

Could I maybe wear this one like a necklace?

[Requests a lavalier mic due to his outfit] It's just, with this shirt...

[Hesitates...]

Did you eat anything before bed?

Nope, not a thing!

To stay in top condition I went to bed on an empty stomach.

- You did? - Yep.

Ah, but your face looks a little...

Oh, really? I wonder why...

Should I help you?

- Haha. - Oh, would you?

[The Gyewon decides to help instead] I'll get it for you.

[Flees] No, it's just, she seemed so hesitant.

[Witnessed the awkward pause] She was just being polite.

PD Min Joo was basically asking "Do you need a hand?"

She wasn't actually offering to do it herself.

I mean, I know Min Joo pretty well

but she came over so awkwardly I used formal language without thinking!

[See Gangchon-cance EP.3] I mean, we know each other, we're friends.

[Helping him with the lavalier mic] Here, let me give you a hand.

Thank you.

Since this is A Fake Life

I guess the bread is fake, too?

- Joseph, have a seat. - Right over here is good?

Whoa, this is a little high, isn't it?

[Adjusts the height immediately] It's high, right?

[Impressed by the cool performance]

I heard about that...

[Mischievous Yu is having fun]

[Table) "You got a knack for this. Keep it up!"]

[Amazed] Wow, it adjusts to the situation.

- Well, this is a top-tier show. - Haha.

So of course iloom would sponsor us.

Anyway, we may not see them often but there's one special we have to do.

[Right as he mentions A Fake Life] It's the A Fake Life special.

[Second member Seok Jin arrives] Oh, hello.

It's been a while.

Your face is really puffy for this early.

- But I didn't eat before bed! - You didn't? Then why?

I see you're wearing your R-L-X again today.

I only seem to wear it when I come here.

You're wearing your R-L-X?

Me too.

[Great minds think alike...] Haha.

Alright, today is all about iloom!

[That's enough watch talk] Let's put the R-L-X aside for a moment.

iloom, isn't that the furniture company?

The one Tae Hyun was talking about!

[Proof that he watches Pinggyego] So you remember.

- Did they send stuff here? - They sure did!

No way!

[Immediately sharing the good news] It's all thanks to Tae Hyun.

Wow, this chair is nice!

[Aren't you going to notice the moving table, too?]

Yes, yes!

[The dark wizards controlling the table]

[The host is pleased after his opening show] Okay.

- Nice, huh? - Yeah, it is!

This is actually really nice.

- Can we eat this or what? - No, no.

- Oh, this is fake? - Haha.

- It's all fake. - Is this real or fake?

[Doesn't believe it even when told it's fake]

[Attempts to verify] This has to be fake, right?

Whoa! Maybe it's real?

- Whoa, you scared me for a second! - Haha, he was like...

[Imitates his startled reaction] Go ahead, touch it for real.

[A critique from the comedy major] But if you really wanted to sell the bit

you should've picked up the bread and tried to take a bite.

You know, bite down, then yell, "It's fake!"

[Too shy for all that] No way, that's too embarrassing.

[Seok Jin has some news to share, too] Hey, so, about that thing.

I just shot a commercial for a seaweed brand.

- You're a seaweed model now? - Wow, congratulations!

So... Excuse me?

Wow, you did a seaweed commercial?

What? Is there a problem with that?

Ah, so that's why you decided to wear all black today.

That's not why.

Is it some kind of special seaweed?

It's delicious seaweed...

[Emphasizing the iloom PPL again] But today is all about iloom.

Hey! They're totally different categories!

[Bickering / Staring...] Can't I even talk about seaweed on an iloom set?

[Bickering] They paid to be here!

It's been a while, so I have to ask one thing I've been so curious about.

Seriously, how old are you?

- I'm the dark horse of looking young. - Who is?

[Just as they're talking about looking young] Jin Kyung's here. Hey, Jin Kyung!

[Last member Jin Kyung arrives] Hey!

Jin Kyung, it's been so long.

MacGyver.

[A warm, two-handed handshake]

Yeah, she's currently rocking the 90s soccer player look.

[While they laugh at the hair joke, Seok Jin and Jin Kyung also greet each other warmly]

Have you been well?

How have you gotten even younger?

We were just talking about that!

[Gathering around, so happy to see each other] Guys, it's really been too long.

So, have you been doing okay?

[She answers with silence...]

[Urgently suggests she sits] Here, sit down and let's get you mic'd up.

My face is so puffy!

- I can't tell at all. - No, you look great.

Come to think of it I'm puffy and she's puffy because...

[Netflix Show Screwballs] we were filming until dawn yesterday.

[The two of them filmed until dawn] Oh, for Screwballs?

Yeah, and yesterday he had to write his own last will and testament.

[The concept was Cho Sae Ho's funeral] The whole concept for the shoot was his funeral

and what he wrote in his will was so sad...

[Puffy from filming till dawn and crying] I just couldn't stop crying.

So he wrote it from the heart?

Wow, this feels like coming home.

[Her last visit: The awards show about a year ago] Yeah, because for Jin Kyung, it's been...

[The 2nd Pinggyego Awards EP.63] since the awards show last year, right?

[With all gathered, it's time for some talk fuel] Thank you.

[Adding a touch of class] Whoa, what's this?

- Whoa, what's this little thing? - What are you doing?

[Murmuring at the sophisticated drink service] Now that's what I call gentlemanly service.

[Revealing today's breakfast, one by one]

Something that befits this table.

[Touched]

Wow, Hamburg steak.

[Drooling]

[Proper treatment for the stars of A Fake Life] Of course.

This is perfect for A Fake Life.

I refuse to acknowledge that name...

Do you acknowledge it?

This whole "fake life" thing is something he came up with.

I'm owning it now! I fully admit it!

I've been living a fake life.

I apologize... Yes, I apologize.

[Bowing along with her]

[One more person admits to living a fake life] I must confess, I'm the same.

- Really? - Yes, I've been feeling...

This whole "fake life" theme has made me really reflect on myself a lot.

[The only one denying his fake life] I've never thought of my life as fake.

But honestly, if you think about it

out of the three of you you're the one living the fakest life.

Me? No way.

But you're 60 years old now and you keep...

Who said I'm 60, you punk?

[Snaps back to reality] Oh, I'm so sorry...

So, to be clear, what year were you born?

[Admiring his youthful face yet again] You really do look so young.

Don't you dare ask me what year I was born.

[Quickly] He was born in 1966!

Because whenever we're all together

someone will ask, "How old is Seok Jin?"

And he just shuts it down by saying "Older than you, kid."

From now on...

I've decided to stop aging!

[Born in 1972 / Born in 1966] There's usually a six-year age gap between us.

[On Running Man, Seok Jin declared he now ages 1 year for every 3]

But now, we're only three years apart.

If you hurry up and catch up we can be the same age soon.

I'm only aging one year for every three, you see.

So, the year after next?

You'll have to start calling Myeong Su your elder soon.

Well, that's a bit awkward, but...

I can just avoid seeing Myeong Su.

That's one way to handle it.

[Resuming the chat with a hearty breakfast] Having a meal like this in the morning is nice.

I don't think I've ever eaten this kind of food at this hour.

[Takes a big bite]

Go on, eat up.

This is delicious!

[Habitual fake reaction before even eating] Where is this from?

It's a really famous place!

- It's delivery from a famous restaurant? - Oh, really?

[The talk fuel from a famous spot is going down smoothly]

- No wonder. - That explains why this Hamburg steak is so good.

Wow, you polished that off in no time.

My appetite has been through the roof lately.

Plus, my wife told me to make sure I have a hearty meal today.

Today, she, my mother-in-law and my aunt-in-law...

left just a little while after I did.

They're off on a trip to Mt. Naejangsan... heh.

- Why are you laughing like that? - Haha.

[Somehow, laughter just keeps bubbling up]

[Laughter communication error detected Overdrive mode]

[That's not it]

[Trying to clarify] So, how should I put this.

For the first time in a while, your wife is

[Maximum joy] on a trip with her family so you're happy, right?

What do you mean, laughing?

I'm heartbroken.

When is she coming back?

Heh. Tomorrow!

- Tomorrow... - Hehe.

You're going to be crying all night, I see.

[Jamwon-dong Hugh Grant is booked for a good cry] You'll be sobbing all night.

[This calls for a toast!]

Of course.

I'm sure he's very worried. I hope they have a safe trip.

Yes, I'm worried. She's the one driving.

So what are your plans?

Me? I don't have anything to do...

Just... heh... have to stay home.

[Munching]

But wow, Jin Kyung, you're eating well, too.

- It's so good. - This is really delicious.

I saw your agency's CEO was here earlier, too.

- Whose CEO? - This early in the morning.

[Met Jin Kyung's agency CEO in the parking lot] Jin Kyung's CEO.

CEO Noh?

I personally respect her so much.

[Knows her well from working together] She's a woman I adore!

She's a great person.

And she goes to every single shoot for all her celebrities!

[Agreed] She's everywhere at once!

I was with her for about seven years, too.

Right, I heard you left the agency.

[Nervous...] Did any... gossip come up?

The story was

he left and then came back again.

And she was like, "Okay, let's work together."

[Fuzzy memory] Did I go back?

But then he left again.

That's just his style.

He can't stay still.

Wasn't it because you were afraid of being a burden?

- No, that wasn't it. To be honest... - A burden? Haha.

Why would I be a burden?

[Flustered] I mean, just in case.

My sales numbers are rock solid!

- He shot a seaweed commercial! - Because he's a total maverick.

In this industry, he's a legend for going his own way.

Hey, let him talk!

[Somber...]

- [Sad] I came here to talk, too! - Jin Kyung, Jin Kyung!

I heard you were crying over Sae Ho yesterday.

I was sobbing, clinging to him saying he can't die.

- So why are you so mad this morning? - "You can't go before me!"

I'm sorry, Sae Ho. I'll appreciate you more while you're still alive.

- Thank you. - I really will.

Like I said earlier...

It's been so long since our last A Fake Life.

Actually, before I came today

I made a decision. And it was this.

If I'm going to go on a show

and be all guarded

saying, "I can't talk about this I can't talk about that..."

then I just shouldn't go on at all! Because that just ruins it for everyone.

And think how frustrating it is for the viewers.

So, because I wasn't mentally prepared to speak freely

[That makes sense] I couldn't come on the show. But now

I finally feel like

I'm in a place where I can talk so that's why I'm here.

Anything! Ask me anything you're curious about!

- I'm sorry Jin Kyung, but... - But we weren't planning on asking anything.

[Persistent] Anything! Go on, ask! It's okay!

[Stunned, since they had no plans to ask] We don't really have any questions.

We weren't planning on asking.

[The one ready to answer is prepared] Don't hold back or walk on eggshells.

[But the ones who would ask are not...] I'm ready now.

But we don't have anything to ask!

[Stunned] You don't have anything?

- Please, just ask me something! - Well, since you brought it up, last month...

Hey, you stay quiet today!

[So much for the heartfelt moment from earlier]

How were your kimchi sales? Your kimchi sales for last month.

Ask away, first half or the latter half of 2025!

What about?

The briefing! My life briefing!

Can I just fire off random questions?

Yes, go ahead! I came here to talk today.

[Asks delicately] So... the asset division. Did that go smoothly?

[Such a gentle tone for such a brutal question] Please, you have to cut that out.

This guy is asking about asset division first thing in the morning.

After sending his own family to the mountains!

To a guest he hasn't seen in ages!

- I'm sorry, Jin Kyung. - Jin Kyung, I'm sorry.

[Polite... / Shocked] Wow, asking about asset division just like that?

[Her will to answer crumbles after the first question]

I mean, Jin Kyung...

Wow!

[The shock hasn't worn off]

- You told me to ask... - Hold on.

[Hides under the table for a moment] I'll be back in a little bit.

[I need some time to think] We're just gonna hide under the table.

We'll be back in a bit.

[Worried] We can bleep it out if you want.

No, it's fine.

Anything!

[Spit take / Spit take]

She says "anything" but can't answer!

[Staggering] She keeps saying "anything"!

[Finds it absurd herself] This really is a fake life! I mean, seriously.

[Familiar territory] See? Now you know why we call it A Fake Life.

She can't even answer!

[The Gyewon's laugh button has been pressed again] I mean, you're the one who...

[Has the word "anything" ever been so sad?]

So I can really just ask whatever I want?

Stop it. Haha!

So, which political party do you support?

I'm just curious!

[Before the shock even subsides] Seriously, for real.

[The second question comes flying in] Which party do you support?

[Dizzy]

We're allowed to have different opinions so it's natural for me to be curious.

[Determined] Okay, fine. I'll answer this one.

Let's say there's this party. This party right here.

- Oh, it has a color. - The Apple Party.

Let's say this party actually exists!

[Confiscates the apple to avoid misunderstandings] It's got a color.

[Swaps it for a safe baguette] This party.

There's this party.

[Relieved / Picks a pretzel] And then there's this party. So for me

if I meet people from this party and listen to what they have to say

this party is right!

But then if I listen to people from this party

[The questioner is intrigued] this party is right.

That's why election season is so hard for me...

Nothing is ever all good or all bad, right?

Isn't that just like life?

- [Sympathizing] Exactly. You're not wrong. - People are like that, too.

So for me, really...

I love them all...

Actually... can I say something, too?

[Office suddenly becomes a clarification hearing] For real.

[The one who laughs / The one with a lot to say] Through this program

[The one who loves a lot] Which party are you?

[See Pinggyego EP.79 - Publicity Issues] A lot of people were speculating

[The Jee Seok Jin Political YouTube Incident] and there were so many rumors.

[While promoting his Chungju Jee clan song] But we were there when it was filmed, right?

[Due to his clumsy phone operation] You heard it.

[he played a political video 3 times] We heard it.

Let me set the record straight right here.

If I think a certain person will do a good job in politics, I'll...

So I don't think I support a specific party.

We are all people who love Korea.

[Agrees] Exactly! They're all Korean parties!

We all have to do well together.

We all share the same love for our country.

It's not like there are only two parties. All the other parties have to work together

to build a wonderful Republic of Korea!

- Do you feel that clears things up? - Should we film a campaign? A Great Korea?

[A sudden campaign proposal] What?

A Great Korea.

[Hoping for a great Korea] A Great Korea.

[We sincerely pray for it!] We also...

[Pinggyego!]

[Proof of being a Gyewon fan] If you go to her house, she has

that picture of Jae Seok...

- It's in her living room. - She does?

[To celebrate the Gyewon's birthday] On my birthday, Jin Kyung

[Reveals the Jae Seok photo in her living room] posted a picture of me on her social media.

It was a prop from when we were filming Screwballs.

Oh, so you took it with you?

Yeah, I ripped it off the wall.

So I look at his face and think "Let's get through this!"

Because I'm his comedy kryptonite.

[Correct] That's true.

[It cheers her up whenever she sees it] So I can look at your face and feel happy

as I eat my breakfast.

I can give you my ID photo, too.

No thanks, I'm good.

[Coolly declines] I'm good.

Since your wife went to Mt. Naejangsan

you should also go see the autumn leaves or something.

Me?

Nah, I'm...

It's a matter of preference.

I've always wondered, do you really have to go to a famous spot to see the leaves?

But it really is better when you go to one of those famous places.

[A famous spot for fall foliage] Mt. Naejangsan.

[Naejangsan, Jirisan, Seoraksan] The fall colors at Mt. Naejangsan

[Juwangsan, Deogyusan, Chiaksan, etc] are said to be incredible.

If you see them at a famous mountain?

- It's a whole different level. - Maybe I think that because I've never seen it.

[Seeing it in person is a different experience] I hear it's spectacular.

It's spectacular.

A truly breathtaking view!

[Tried paragliding on a recent shoot] Not long ago, I was paragliding for a shoot

and as I was flying over the mountain

[Automatically awestruck by the natural scenery] the colors were...

Doing paragliding again after all this time...

- Wow... - Isn't that scary?

Aren't you scared of that? I'm too scared to do it.

The moment I took off!

[Forgot all about being scared at the view] The scenery...

I never knew there were so many beautiful places like this.

A long time ago, on...

Was it Family Outing? Or Running Man?

[The famously fearful Yu Jae Seok] I'm scared of heights, so...

I really didn't want to go paragliding.

[Full of anxiety] I was so worried.

But right before it was my turn?

[Operations suspended due to bad weather] Because of the wind

they announced they were stopping the paragliding for the day.

[A roar of pure happiness]

Even if they didn't cancel, I couldn't do it...

- I'll do it if it's for a show! - You will?

[A true broadcast hunter is different] That's amazing. For me...

I've been in variety for over 30 years

[A confession from the scaredy-cat] and I've never once been able to do it...

You even got mad at the PD.

When you were up on the bungee platform.

[How could you!]

When did I ever get mad?

[Seok-Three the Hunter, Yu the Scaredy-cat]

I have a video recommendation for all our Gyewon members.

[If you can't sleep right now] When I can't sleep

[Or if you're feeling a little down] or when I'm feeling down

[Recommended for anyone who fit the criteria] there are a few videos I always watch.

What are they?

In the search bar, you type

"Jee Seok Jin no-rope bungee."

Oh, I did that one once.

- Oh, this one, this one? - I did the no-rope bungee.

What's that?

[On Running Man 248 with Park Joon Hyung of g.o.d] With Joon Hyung

[He performed the no-rope bungee jump punishment] I did the no-rope bungee, yes.

50 meters up

they put me inside this... harness thingy.

[Shocked] In something like this.

[Dangling from a hook attached to the harness] So I'd be dangling like this, right?

And the hook is attached like this.

On the count of three

[The hook releases and he drops immediately] the floor just opens up.

You just fall straight down. You just drop.

I actually preferred the no-rope bungee.

Because with a regular bungee you have to jump of your own free will.

[Jumping voluntarily is absolutely impossible] And I can't do that voluntarily.

But up there

the instructor is counting, one, two...

And I'm saying, "Sir, wait a minute!"

[The merciless drop begins!] He just cut the rope anyway.

I wasn't ready.

[Introducing the video's highlight] If you watch that clip, at first

he's like, "Ahhh! Don't do it! Don't do it!"

"Aaaargh! Eek! Ugh, don't do it!"

[Warming up the laughs with over-the-top acting] "Instructor, sir..."

- Instructor) "I'm younger than you!" - Whatever! If you have power, you're my elder!

[Age becomes meaningless in the face of power] Power and strength make you my elder!

"Okay, let's go! Let's go quickly then!"

"Okay, one! Two! Three!" and then...

he didn't cut it.

"Eeek! Aww..."

[Comedy major's performance has them in stitches] The moment he actually cuts it

[On the verge of tears] You're not supposed to laugh at someone's pain.

[Proving his superfan status with a reenactment] It's Seok Jin's reaction and his tone...

Let's all watch it together!

We can't... Copyright issues.

[Now for Jae Seok's recommendation] Among our Pinggyego clips

one of the ones I watch the most is...

[Hee-haw!] "If it hangs on your nose, it's a nose ring."

[Ho-ho!] "If it hangs on your eye, it's an eye ring."

There's no such thing as an eye ring...

[Second favorite scene] And then there's that other one.

When she went to a fan signing event.

[Laughing before he even says it] It was so... hahaha.

When I said, "Why would that person be there?" I was like...

Like some bumbling fool... or a simpleton...

[The Return of A Fake Life] Like, some Harvard chemistry major?

[Available for viewing right now] Those were the kinds of guys who showed up.

- They were lined up? - These guys...

Jin Kyung, don't take this the wrong way.

I'm just saying. It just popped into my head.

It's not about being handsome or cool, but just...

When someone you like shows up

whether it's some bumbling fool or the village idiot

A bumbling fool?

[When you're down, look to the sky...] That's not what I meant.

Jin Kyung.

Funny clips.

Doesn't it make you mad?

Thinking about it again is making me mad.

[Recommending a different funny video] There are so many clips we love.

Another one of Jin Kyung's legendary scenes is

[Search: Sisters' Slam Dunk Hong Jin Kyung crying] from that show she did, Sisters' Slam Dunk.

It was a show she did a while back.

She was doing an interview after finishing a mission

and she was just so overwhelmed.

She was just sobbing her heart out.

Sob sob sob. Then suddenly...

Hee hee hee hee hee!

She just bursts out laughing!

Why?

I... I don't know either.

She even says, "Am I crazy? What's wrong with me?"

"Now I'm crying again... And so I... sob..."

"I messed everything up for everyone... sniff..."

Hee hee hee hee hee!

- Really? - That clip exists.

Even when I'm crying or in a scary situation if I think of something funny, I'll laugh.

- It's happened before. - Really?

[The day she got in big trouble in middle school] When I was in middle school, my homeroom teacher

really let me have it one day.

[It wasn't even that big of a deal] It should've been over after one or two hits.

I was talking during class.

I got in trouble for talking.

[She and her friend kicked out into the hall] So I got kicked out into the hallway

with the other kid who was talking. And we started talking again in the hallway.

[The teacher finally explodes] The teacher was absolutely furious.

We were in the wrong. We admitted it.

[About 30 years ago, the teacher grabbed a ruler] "Who wants to go first?"

They say it's better to get it over with.

[Volunteers] "I'll go first."

But while I was getting hit I just burst out laughing.

But... why?

I saw the look on my friend's face as she was waiting for her turn.

[Her friend: Jin Kyung, I'm so scared...] I know that look.

[I want to run away...] That's a weird thing to imagine.

The teacher was already at her wits' end

and then, "What? You're laughing?"

"Are you mocking me?"

[Laughing just thinking about it] But...

Her name was Jeon Ja Yoon! Jeon Ja Yoon!

Anyone who saw her face would have laughed.

I'd love to meet Ms. Jeon Ja Yoon.

[Are you doing well?] Ms. Ja Yoon?

So the teacher...

[Stay, Hong Jin Kyung] "Ja Yoon, you can go!"

She didn't get hit!

[Ja Yoon: Jin Kyung... I'm outta here...] Your teacher must've been absolutely livid.

[Sorry!] So she didn't get hit

and she had no idea I was laughing at Ja Yoon.

But you didn't explain that to the teacher?

I couldn't.

Back then, if you made excuses you'd just get in more trouble.

That would never happen in schools today, nor should it.

Like Hong Hyun Hee was saying when she was on the show

if you said, "Mom, I'm sick"

[A Double Date is Just an Excuse EP.91] they'd say, "Go to school and die there!"

It was in those days that sometimes...

- We got hit back in the day. - Back then, you could even...

smoke on airplanes.

[That's how long ago this story is from] Right, we really got hit back then.

[Pinggyego!]

Looking at your face, I thought you were Woo Jong.

[Famous for resembling announcer Cho Woo Jong] You guys look so much alike.

Yeah, I look like Woo Jong.

You know those little screens on TV?

When he pops up, I'm like, "Is that me?"

There's Woo Jong, and also singer Mose...

- It's love - It's loooove

[Discordant harmony] He looks a bit like Im Ha Ryong.

Be serious.

Look, I love Ha Ryong...

[A split opinion on his look-alikes] He does look a bit like him.

It just means you have a friendly face.

Oh, you.

You have such a nice way of putting things.

These days, so many of my friends find Seok Jin absolutely hilarious.

[A slight smile creeps in] Come on, stop it.

I was watching one of your shows

[Sixth Sense: City Tour 2, EP.1] where you did that health checkup thing.

[He saw him getting his body composition measured] Yeah.

Seeing Seok Jin enter his age as 59

it brought me so much joy.

He was like, "Hey, hey, get away from me."

- Why? - Oh, that?

He kept trying to raise his age and lower his weight.

Lowering the height too.

[Questioning Seok-Three's height] I think you're probably around 175cm.

No! I'm 177!

I get health checkups all the time!

[Fact-checking the fake claim] How often do you get them?

[Determined to be fake] How should I know?

Seriously, nothing about you is real.

Let's get this straight today.

Height, 177cm.

- And your weight? - My weight...

70...

It's gone up a bit recently.

Weight, 76kg.

What's your MBTI?

ESFP.

I'm an ISFP.

ISTJ.

Weren't you an INTJ until just recently?

I was an N but it changed to an S.

I guess that can change, too.

[Joseph is a textbook ENFP] I'm a textbook ENFP.

Sae Ho really is a perfect ENFP.

- You have a big imagination, then? - Sae Ho really is that type.

[A lover of "Would You Rather"] He asks so many hypothetical questions.

Yes, I ask a lot of hypotheticals.

Even on my way here, I imagined so many things.

Starting with "What if I suddenly get a stomachache on the way?"

About things that haven't even happened.

So you're the type to worry way too far in advance?

[Back in her INTJ days] Back in the day, something happened to me.

I was on a plane.

I was overseas at the time.

[Just before the plane takes off] The plane is about to take off.

Right before takeoff, my manager calls me crying.

"I'll come pick you up at the airport!"

[Even though she explicitly told him not to come] I had specifically told him not to come.

"Why, what's wrong?" I asked.

"It's... It's about... sob..."

"La El..."

[Leans forward]

"La El!"

[Before he could finish, the plane took off!] And as he said that, the plane took off.

[What just happened?]

[And just like that, the call was cut...] What was that?

[How could it happen at that exact moment...] What do you do in that situation?

I truly experienced hell on earth.

I could barely breathe.

[Just hearing it makes my heart drop] It sounds like she got hurt.

I just sat bolt upright.

That's like something out of a movie.

[N-type Jin Kyung imagines the worst] I was sure something had happened to my daughter.

[Hugs himself...] Because otherwise

he wouldn't have made me worry like that

- over a small injury. - Of course, of course.

The fact that he was sobbing on the phone

[A reaction that could only mean one thing] I was convinced it was something major.

But as it turns out

he was trying to tell me she fell off a slide.

Hahaha...

God, just thinking about that little punk...

[A memory that makes her blood boil]

But why was he crying so hard?

That kid's tendency to overreact! I swear...

He's famous for it. He's so dramatic.

Even now, my blood pressure spikes when I think about him.

Well, thank goodness. I mean, I'm glad she was okay, but still.

[Second name reveal, after Ja Yoon] His name is Yoo Cheol.

[Someone he knows] I know Yoo Cheol.

He's a nice kid.

He is, that's why he acted that way.

But sometimes managers...

I used to work with a guy

[A friend who worried too much] and this kid was also really dramatic.

He called me the night before a shoot.

Manager) "Sir, I'm sorry to call so late."

"What's wrong?"

Manager) "Um, I don't know how to tell you this..."

[Hesitating as if it's big news] "Just tell me."

Manager) "You know the Happy Together shoot tomorrow?"

Sae Ho) "Yeah?"

It got moved up an hour.

[An anticlimactic ending] So you have to be there by 7 a.m.

Yoo Cheol did the same thing.

Manager) "Uh... How do I... How do I say this?"

What is it?

"Jin Young is going to be 30 minutes late."

The stylist!

[Anticlimactic ending #2]

[A communication style that raises blood pressure] It drives me crazy.

Look, to all the managers out there

we have weak hearts!

Please don't do that.

Because there are so many shocking things that happen in the world these days

when someone close to you or your manager

goes, "Hey..."

"Hey, so... Sigh..."

[A single sigh can make many hearts drop] A single sigh can make your heart just plummet.

Speaking of managers

back in the day, before navigation systems

it was fine if they knew the roads well

but if they had a bad sense of direction

or if it was a new route

it could be really tough.

Some would even go scout the route the day before.

That's right.

That really used to happen a lot.

My wife gets scared driving to new places.

One time, my kid had to take a test somewhere in Daejeon

and she said she was too nervous to go.

She was basically asking me to go with her.

[He couldn't go with her because of work] But I couldn't go because of work.

So she suggested we go together the day before.

[Empathy fairy] It was an important day, an exam.

So we went together the day before.

Like a little pre-drive the day before...

So we drove all the way there.

[Focused]

We drove all the way there, and...

[Listening intently]

then we drove back. That's it.

[Startled by the non-ending] Huh?

It's not a big story.

[What did I just listen to?] You were all listening so intently.

That was the biggest shock I've had all year.

[Why are you all so focused?] It wasn't a big story

but you all listened so hard, it got awkward.

I have never been this disappointed in Seok Jin.

It wasn't much but I was going to add a little more

but you were all hanging on my every word.

As your story was ending, your eyes...

- started darting around, right? - were screaming, "What do I do now?"

[A look of pure panic] Yeah, this story wasn't worth that much focus.

In the last few years

that's the first time I've heard "that's it."

[A rare sight: a storytelling surrender] That's basically raising the white flag.

- That's a mid-story surrender. - "That's it."

[He started the topic, so he'll finish it] In an age of self-driving cars

it makes you wonder how we ever lived back then.

My first car was a used car.

I got a really good price on it.

[Was warned about potential issues before buying] But the seller told me it might have

a lot of small issues and to be aware of that before buying.

Honestly, it was an import so I bought it to show off.

[Took his friend for a drive to show off his car] So I told my friend I'd take him for a drive.

He was taking a while to come down so I decided to wait.

[Starts waiting comfortably reclined] I reclined the seat all the way back.

[His friend finally arrives] Knock knock. "Hey, I'm here."

"Okay! Hop in, hop in!"

It wouldn't... It wouldn't come back up.

It just went whirr but wouldn't move!

[The temperature of their laughter is rising] What's this?

Whirr! Whirr! Whirr!

So from that day on, I had to drive

like a gangster rapper.

[A story that hits the spot] So you drove while lying down?

I drove to the auto shop like this.

I was like, "Hey, how's it going!"

[A posture that anyone would find arrogant] It's a pretty cocky posture, right?

So the mechanic was a little cold.

Mechanic) "What do you want?"

[Explains the situation] "Excuse me, but this won't go up."

[The repair cost] He said it would be 700,000 won!

So I said, "I'll come back later."

[Fixed it after getting his appearance fee] After I got paid, I got it fixed. I raised it.

[Another day, driving with the sunroof open] I was driving with my friend Tae Kyung

with the sunroof open. Then, it started to rain.

"Hey, hey, close it!"

Whirr! Whirr! Whirr!

[So he bought umbrellas] So I told him to go buy two umbrellas, for real.

My friend, with two umbrellas...

[The unrealistic lies alert the fake story police] Stop lying.

Bust him!

Hey! How could the car even move with umbrellas like that?

You gotta call him out on that.

[Fake story detected] We caught him. We caught him.

[Comes clean] That part was a lie.

[Gangster driving: Real] The other one's true. I heard that story.

What about the sunroof and umbrellas?

[Sunroof umbrellas: Fake] I figured the umbrellas would 100% flip inside out

[Fact check: Waited for the rain to stop] if we drove. We waited.

But you know, Jin Kyung's shows are all doing so well

and she's a CEO!

That's right, she's a CEO.

[Started in 2004 with kimchi] That's a long history... How many years now?

[Already 20 years in the food business] It's been about 20 years, right?

Last time I was here we talked about opening a snack bar in the US...

- We talked about that. - Right, we did.

And now, things are actually starting to move forward.

- You're doing it now? - It's happening?

[Via Jin Kyung's YouTube] I saw her YouTube channel after that.

[Seok Jin was roughly aware of the news] And she really

went to the US and was doing all this business stuff!

Wow... I thought that was amazing.

Once I decide to do something, I just go for it.

[Agreed] Jin Kyung is that kind of person.

- So you're the type to just dive in? - I don't just think about it.

[If you don't do anything] You have to do it for anything to happen at all.

[nothing will happen] She went to France without an invitation.

Exactly. So the US branch is moving forward

but the important thing is the Nordic market.

[Loves talking about business] The Nordic market.

Like Finland and all that?

Finland, Estonia, Sweden.

Wow, you're going global.

K-food is huge right now

but in Northern Europe there's no one who's planted the flag yet.

- There's no one yet! - There's no one there yet.

[So far, within the Nordic region] There's no company yet.

[There are no leading K-food companies] As for the Nordic market

[Competition for dominance] even our big corporations in Korea

are working hard on it right now.

[The common goal is] For me

[to properly promote our country's food!] to properly promote our country's food

I mean, my personal business is my business

but what's really disappointing is

that non-Koreans

are making terrible stuff and selling it as kimchi.

Gosh... but that's not actually kimchi.

[Misconceptions create a barrier to entry] So people try it and think, "This is kimchi?"

- And they never buy it again. - So they're disappointed.

[Sigh] But now

is the most important time! So...

[A K-food evangelist] I really felt I had to do something

to represent our food well.

[The Nordic market] I was looking for someone who could really help me

[Found someone locally to help] and I found the perfect person.

[Intrigued] Really?

In Helsinki! He's from Finland.

His name is Samuel.

[Who is he?] So, who is Samuel?

He's the CEO of a huge advertising agency in Northern Europe.

And because he runs this ad agency

he has major clients like airlines hotels, cruise lines, and department stores.

So if I partner with Samuel

he can get our food products into places that are normally hard to break into.

He's a true power player.

So how did I meet this guy?

He's extremely picky.

[What are dumplings? Who is Hong Jin Kyung?] "Dumplings? Why? Who's that?"

He just wasn't interested.

Even when I said "I'll give you shares in my company."

[Zero interest] He didn't care.

You even offered him that?

[Cold] "What's the valuation of your company?"

"It has nothing, so what are shares worth?"

But then, by chance, he came to Korea for a trip.

[Samuel came on a family trip] With his family.

[The reason he visited Korea was!] His daughter...

K-pop?

[Because his daughter loves K-content] She's a huge fan of K-content.

So I invited them to my house.

Korean food, the kind I want to sell.

Dumplings, kimchi, japchae, jeon... I prepared a full spread.

[Served them a huge Korean feast] As I was serving them

I know a lot of singers, right?

[So she has quite a lot of K-pop merch at home] At my house, I have a lot of merch

that K-pop stars have given me.

And it turned out, Samuel's daughter had a singer she absolutely adored.

From that stash?

[From that exact stash!] And I had their merch. So...

- Things worked out just like that. - That's how it all came together?

[Jin Kyung gave her the merch as a gift] I gave it to the girl, and suddenly...

She started crying?

Huge teardrops started rolling down her face.

[After receiving merch from her favorite singer] She was so touched.

[With the emotional child...] The kid was just bawling.

And because the kid started crying the mom started crying!

Whoa.

And because the mom started crying

[A chorus] Samuel started crying!

[Even the ice-cold Samuel] That cold...

[was melted by the power of K-culture] He started to melt.

[A father's empathy] Because his child was crying with joy.

- Now that's business! - And so, right then

- we all hugged and cried together. - You too?

Me too... Me too...

Because she tends to cry when other people cry.

I started tearing up.

[A reasonable suspicion] But you didn't start laughing, did you?

That day, Samuel turned to me

- And shook your hand? - and shook my hand and said

[Along with a request for a handshake] "Please be my partner."

[Jin Kyung gets the proposal she was hoping for]

Wow, Hong Jin Kyung's success story.

That's incredible.

Wow, so when things are meant to work out they just work out!

And Samuel works fast.

[Business meetings arranged immediately after becoming partners]

He set up meetings with all his clients department stores, cruise lines.

[Samuel: Jin Kyung! Get on a plane now!] "Get over here."

Like, get here quick. Everything is set up!

[The Nordic tour started in Helsinki, Finland] So I did a whole tour starting from Helsinki.

I met so many people.

In Estonia, I was even meeting with politicians.

I had no idea what month it was what day of the week

[With no time to think about anything else] I cleared my head of everything else

[she was handling the schedule laid out for her] and was completely focused on work.

Jin Kyung and I talk on the phone sometimes

and she told me all about this.

Well, not in this much detail, but she said

[Before leaving for Northern Europe] "My business is going so well! Samuel..."

[Briefly shared the good news over the phone] I heard all about it. I was so happy for her.

Jin Kyung) "So, about Pinggyego... I'm so sorry, but..."

[To Jae Seok and the production team, she asked] "Thank you so much for the invitation"

[for their understanding about her schedule] "but right now, I just can't, because..."

Jin Kyung) "if things get set up over there I have to fly out immediately."

"So I can't commit to a filming date. I'm so sorry."

[Promised to do it next time] I said, "It's okay! Jin Kyung, you have to work."

[After safely finishing her schedule] So after all that work

[Arrived in Sweden] I finally arrived in Stockholm, Sweden.

- In Sweden? - I didn't have any business meetings there.

["It's over!" Relaxed as soon as she arrived] So the moment I got to Stockholm, I relaxed.

Just 150 meters from my hotel

there was a store for one of my all-time favorite brands.

[A little more context] It's a European brand called Our Legacy.

So I ran over there, and...

they had this gorgeous red sweater.

Ah, so this is that story.

[The briefing process mentioned at the beginning] I'm giving you the full briefing.

- So this is where it's all heading. - It was so pretty.

[Her perspective at the time] The red was just shimmering.

This is it... I have to buy this... I have to wear this...

[Photo time] So I took a picture.

[Sighs from those who know the future]

Without even thinking about it being prime election season.

It didn't even cross my mind.

It wasn't even in your head?

[Vlog footage] There's a recording from that day.

I asked the younger guy I was with

Jin Kyung) "By the way, what day is it?" And he said

"Why does that matter?"

[In hindsight, checking the date was a very important matter]

[If only she had known then] Because...

At the time, you had worked so hard and everything turned out great!

[Relieved] So I was excited, took the picture, and posted it.

[Oh, no...] On social media.

[4 a.m. in Korea, 9 p.m. in Sweden] I posted it and went to bed.

[Went to sleep after uploading to SNS] Because of the time difference.

The reason it became a problem was

I had interviewed all three presidential candidates right before I left.

Oh, right, right. On Study Genius Jin-Cheon-Jae.

[Political affiliation controversy on D-1] So it became a huge deal.

[Completely unaware of the situation back home...]

[Jin Kyung wakes up after a good night's sleep] I woke up in the morning to the sound of birds.

Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp.

[Surrounded by fresh air and the sound of birds] The air was so fresh.

[A morning in Stockholm] In Stockholm, in that fresh air.

So the birds were trying to warn you!

"This is no time to be sleeping."

[Perhaps a warning from nature] "This is no time for sleep, Jin Kyung."

Sparrow) "It's absolute chaos!"

Pigeon) "The whole world's been turned upside down!"

Hoopoe) "Are you insane? How can you possibly be sleeping right now?"

The sun was shining... this beautiful yellow light and the birds were chirping...

But for some reason, I had this awful feeling.

The moment I opened my eyes...

You know those days!

- I do! - They exist, right?

[Those days you get a strange hunch] That's human intuition.

- You have days like that. - It's intuition.

Your heart starts pounding.

There are days when you just feel anxious.

It's so strange!

- Like something's about to happen. - It really is.

[That's what that morning was like for Jin Kyung] It's so weird, right?

- "What is this?" - It happens.

I just casually turned on my phone, and...

All hell had broken loose?

It was terrifying.

About 80-something missed calls.

Texts and messages, maybe 300?

And 100 of them were from him.

[Cho-hey-ho] 100 of the messages were from this guy.

Telling you to take it down?

[Same day, Sae Ho's perspective (in Seoul)] Right, the situation back in Seoul.

So, I woke up in the morning.

[Checks his phone first, as usual] When you wake up, you check your phone, right?

Of course, I do, too.

In the group chat for one of our shows

there was a message "Can anyone get in touch with Jin Kyung?"

It was from the lead PD, and I thought

[Hadn't seen the news articles yet] "She's in Europe. Did something happen?"

[Tries calling, still confused] So I tried calling her. Twice.

But she didn't pick up.

I was like, "What's going on?"

Then I went to her social media, and...

[Since it was a sensitive time] The comments were just...

[The controversy spread rapidly in real time] The number of comments

was starting to explode.

But looking at the photo, I could tell

she had posted it without a second thought.

But from the perspective of people who were interpreting it differently

- They had every reason to interpret it that way. - Right...

It was like, "What is Hong Jin Kyung doing right now?"

So I kept calling

[Planning to keep calling until she picked up] we all tried to reach anyone who could call her.

[Taking turns calling] We decided to keep calling until she picked up.

Eventually, we were like "Let's try to find out her hotel's name."

- It got that serious? - Because

regardless of the reason we had to handle the situation quickly.

It was right before the presidential election...

[And as mentioned earlier] And she's an influential celebrity.

[And she'd just interviewed the candidates] She had just interviewed all three candidates.

[Misunderstanding arises] So people were saying, she interviewed all three

and this was her way of implicitly endorsing one of them.

That kind of thing...

But you know, the public could easily think that.

Right.

[To make matters worse] Even though the news was exploding all morning

And I didn't even take it down.

Right.

I should have deleted it immediately

or quickly posted an apology saying it wasn't true.

But since it stayed up all morning

[The misunderstanding solidified over time] people were like, "What is this, really?"

[What started as a "maybe" question] It was like, what is going on?

[was assumed to be intentional] "Wow, she's really determined."

- It became, "Wow, she's really bold." - Right, 'cause she didn't take it down.

But in reality, she...

doesn't really know the difference between the ruling and opposition parties.

Hey!

[Suddenly going for a cheap laugh] No, she really didn't.

Hey, you don't know either!

[Getting told off instead] She's someone who interviewed them.

- What do you mean she doesn't know? - What are you talking about?

Well, she didn't really know before the interviews.

So she just...

Is that actually true?

Well, I might not have known the specifics

[An answer that chooses laughs over facts]

[Just to be sure] What's the opposition party?

The ruling party is the one with the current president. I know that much.

[Submitting her answer] The opposition is the one without the president.

Now that some time has passed Jin Kyung can talk about this.

So that's the story behind it.

Wow, you must have been so shocked.

What was it like when you found out?

- You have to delete it right away. - The moment you found out.

[Posted an apology right after deleting the photo] I wrote an apology on the spot and posted it.

If I had even 0.1% of a political motive

I would have been terrified.

But since that wasn't the case at all

I thought, "Maybe this misunderstanding can be cleared up someday?"

Honestly, I had no idea this story's ending...

would be this.

I thought you were just talking about your business.

[US snack bar → Northern Europe → Samuel → K-pop] So that's how it all connected.

[→ Nordic tour (feat. scheduling with Pinggyego)] That's how it all linked together.

[→ Favorite clothing brand] I told you at the beginning.

[→ That morning in Stockholm] I said I'd give you the full briefing today.

[Briefing complete] Right, so.

Personally, for Jin Kyung

listening to the story, it's clear she didn't have any intentions.

[It was a mistake, but it wasn't intentional] It really wasn't like that.

I'll try to be more careful but I hope you know that

I don't have bad intentions or any malice.

Please know that it wasn't like that.

[Pinggyego!]

[Two professional wedding attendees] I go to a lot of weddings myself

- but Sae Ho goes to a ton. - That's right.

Yeah, he really does go to a lot.

[Jae Seok gets asked to MC a lot] He's still getting asked to MC.

So I told him.

I mentioned it off-camera

but I said that starting next year...

"Jae Seok, don't you think it's time you started declining some?"

And so I said

"No, I'm very happy to do it."

[Impressed] You're happy?

I mean, it's natural for people you work with to ask you, right?

[He gets a lot of requests] When they ask, you can't

[He does it for one person] just do it for one person and not another.

[so he can't refuse anyone] That part is a bit difficult.

[No real days off] He works all week

and then on weekends, he's off MCing at a wedding.

[The advice was given out of sympathy] So I said, starting next year, just say

"I'm sorry." "I need to take my weekends for myself."

That's what I told him to do!

And he said...

I told him I was fine.

No problem!

[Of course] Sometimes, after working all week

having to go to a wedding on the weekend

I'll think, "Man... I really want to rest today."

But at a certain point I started to think

"Well, one day, they'll stop asking."

True... That thought is kind of sad.

Do you think they'll ask me forever? Probably not, right?

I think they'll ask you forever!

- No, no, they might not. - No, no, no, they could stop.

So because I'm always thinking that

I'm like, "Yeah, it's tiring but as long as I can do it!"

"Shouldn't I be grateful they invited me?"

That's the mindset I go with!

- How do you live with such a mindset? - But Jin Kyung and I

- That's not easy... - talk about that.

Even when he's 80, Jae Seok will probably have a camera and...

But look! If I'm 80 with a camera

running around to shoots, is that happiness?

Or what is happiness? What's the standard for happiness?

[Swivels] I get confused.

If you enjoy it, then it's happiness, isn't it?

But if we're 80 and we're still consistently doing this

[Keep chatting under the guise of A Fake Life] doing A Fake Life

and continuing to talk with people like this

and if we can bring people joy with that

and we're having fun, too!

Then isn't that a happy life?

- Is that a happy life? - But...

there's no guarantee all four of us will still be here.

One thing I can say for sure is, in 20 years

I think my health will be worse than yours.

- Why, why, why? - Because I

you know, drink and all that.

- That's why you have to take care of yourself. - I'll have to.

[By a professional talker] You need energy to keep talking.

[Speaking of which] Recently, on another show

I said to So Min

"Still..."

"You'd be sad if you came to my funeral right?" And she said

So Min) "No. You'll have lived a long and full life."

So Min) "I'll be there to enjoy a delicious bowl of soup."

That's what she said.

[Explosion of disappointment] I was so hurt.

"Hey, but wouldn't you still be sad?"

- Oh, Jeon So Min! Haha. - "I guarantee you'll have lived a full life."

[Getting overly invested in a distant future] Of course, from the deceased's perspective

I don't want a somber atmosphere, but...

- Right, of course! - Still, I'd want you to be a little

- In your heart, at least. - Sad that I'm gone.

- She said that? - Shouldn't you feel a little loss?

At your funeral, the three of us will sit there and talk for hours.

[Chokes up] Hey! There's no guarantee of that.

- Talking about A Fake Life. - Right.

There's no guarantee the three of you will all be at my... my funeral.

If you're going to get so defensive

then we can't talk about this.

I could be the one going to your funerals.

- That could happen. - Of course, of course.

Then why would you state it as a fact?

Well, if I go, please come to my funeral.

[Dejected...] To my funeral.

Hey, don't say things like that. It's sad...

- Talk about me a little. - No, just come to mine...

[What are you two doing?] Share some A Fake Life stories about me.

I'll be the one to send all of you off...

- I'll do it! - No.

- By living a long, long life. - No, no.

As you all pass on

Jae Seok Funeral Services will be with you.

[A request] Please be the one to close my coffin lid.

And then, I'll follow you to the afterlife for some afterlife talk.

[Announcing the formation of Afterlife Talkers] The Afterlife Talkers.

When I do A Fake Life with you guys

I think a lot. On the way here!

You can't help but have philosophical thoughts.

- What kind of thoughts? - Why do you think so much?

It's variety, but still, A Fake Life!

[The day I'm living right now] The person known as Cho Sae Ho

[Pondering if it was a real life] is he living a real life today?

Or is he living a fake life?

Joseph, you're living a real life.

If I tell a white lie now and then

I wonder, "Is this fake?"

Is telling things as they are what's real?

Living our lives, is it even possible

to not tell a single lie?

- Is that even possible? - We all lie.

Lies that harm others or are meant to deceive

or lies that cause tremendous damage

you can't do that.

[Agrees] But the lies we tell because we have to

to get a little rest

or to get out of a situation

[They're bound to happen] aren't those lies unavoidable?

Right.

[On the contrary, without lies] If you tell the truth about everything

[And are honest about everything] if you say, "I will not lie"

you'd probably get hurt a lot.

- I find those situations so awkward. - You really would.

You know what's really awkward?

For example, a younger friend

[After introducing you to her boyfriend] introduces me to her boyfriend.

A little later, she calls.

Younger friend) "So, what did you think?"

Honestly, I wasn't a fan...

I'm allowed to not like him, right?

But I can't just say, "I didn't like him."

You can't do that.

[After meeting a friend's partner] That's something you should never do.

[If you have a bad feeling? Can you be honest?] I can't tell her I didn't like him.

And she'll ask

Younger friend) "They say a guy can size up another guy.

- Right, that's what they say. - "So what's your take?" And then

that's when I really start to agonize!

"Do I really have to tell her?"

In that situation, I say

"What does my opinion matter? If you like him, that's all that counts."

[The wise answer] Me, I say

when a friend asked me that, I asked her

[First asking if she has an answer in mind] "Is there an answer you want to hear?"

"You must have an answer you're hoping for."

"Do you just want to hear it from me?"

But that's so hostile...

No, because we're close!

[The F-type is suddenly hurt] Wow, that's awkward.

I just said that's what I did

and now you're making me feel really awkward.

Because we're close

I know what she wants to hear.

Oh, so you just tell her what she wants to hear?

So what I do is, first

I tell her not to jump to conclusions.

"Go see him one more time."

But if I genuinely think it's a bad idea

I'll definitely tell her that part.

[Only the parts that are really not okay] "Hey, but from what I saw, I think"

[He tells them honestly] "this is something you should be careful about."

- I just told someone that recently. - Who?

A younger friend asked me.

I said, "From a guy's perspective I'm not a fan."

"But he's going to be your partner"

"so you decide for yourself."

But she kept...

[The friend already had her answer picked out] That friend already had her mind made up.

Right.

Friend) "What part of him don't you like?"

[After wondering how to phrase it] "How should I say this?" Then I told her.

"There's no spark in his eyes!"

- His eyes had no confidence! - That's so subjective...

"You don't have a spark in your eyes either!"

[His honesty backfires spectacularly] "You're not so great yourself!"

"You should worry about yourself."

"Your eyes are so dull and lifeless!"

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

"Now I'm offended!"

- That's what she said to me. - "Spark in his eyes," my foot.

"You think you're so great?"

[Being too honest can lead to anger] "No, that's not what I meant."

"Hey, you asked me to tell you!"

"A man needs to make confident eye contact!"

But, listen

it's better not to say things like that.

[Agrees] It is, isn't it?

[Honesty can be poisonous] Saying someone has no spark is really insulting.

If you like him that much! That guy

[Agitated] if you like him enough to change him, go for it!

If you really want to hear it, I have to tell you!

But if you...

But Joseph, you're getting so angry...

[Got a little too into the role...] I'm sorry.

I guess that's happened to you before.

- Hey, Joseph is getting really mad. - Has it?

[Getting worked up because he's been there] Because they kept asking me over and over!

It's just an advice and you're getting so angry.

I just got a little carried away joining the debate...

Alright, since things are getting a little heated

CEO Hong, what are your thoughts?

When someone asks you for this kind of advice, what do you say?

If it's someone I truly care about

I'll tell them the truth for their own good.

Okay, so let's say I called you.

This is before I was married.

[The person he wants to introduce] Let's say, friend "A."

[Situation: The three of them had a meal together] We all had dinner together.

- "Hey, did you get home okay?" - "Uh-huh."

"Thanks for coming today. So, what did you think?"

"What about you?"

"Well, I really like her... but you have a good eye for people, so."

"On a scale of 100, how much do you like her?"

[Intrigued] "I'd say I'm at least an 80 out of 100."

"I'm leaning that way, but..."

"Oh, really?"

"Well, from what I could tell there was this one thing..."

[Tries to be honest with people she cares about] Because it's Sae Ho.

But if it wasn't someone I was that close to

[After asking how much he likes her] "How much? Is it over 50?"

[If it's over 50] "Hey, go for it."

But there is this one thing. If there's something definite

[Tells them the truth about confirmed things] something that's been confirmed

I'll tell them about it and ask if they knew.

- Like rumors and stuff? - Yeah, just in case...

Should I not say it?

[You coincidentally heard a bad rumor about your friend's partner]

[It seems quite credible Is it better to tell your friend?]

If you're really close you should probably tell them, right?

Should I not say anything?

[Agonizing]

If it's not confirmed, and you say something

that could be bad, too.

[Fact-checking is essential] Right, you have to be sure before you say it.

You have to be sure.

But even if it's confirmed, if you say it

when people are in love they don't really listen to that stuff.

When you're in love, you can't hear anything else.

So if you say something like that

even if it's true, they'll say, "Yeah, I know."

[Emotion over reason] Then there's nothing left to say.

[Won't listen to anyone else] "You know?"

"Yeah, but that's not what it is."

So, let's not talk about relationships.

- Let's not touch the topic of love. - Let's not.

That's why when I first met my wife

I didn't ask people around me "What do you think?"

- Right, right, don't ask. - Because I have to see and feel it for myself.

[Ultimately, you have to judge for yourself] Why ask someone else for their opinion?

- Right, I don't ask either. - I don't ask either.

- I think it's rude. - But there was that time with you.

[Sae Ho, his wife, and Jin Kyung had dinner] We all had dinner together before I got married.

And she sent me a text.

"You really found a great person."

[He felt more confident after Jin Kyung's text] "She seems like a wonderful person."

- When you sent me that text... - How nice is that?

it made me feel even more certain and really happy.

So you should only say good things.

[Exactly] It's fine to say good things.

But it's probably better not to say anything bad.

Especially when they're dating!

[Agreed] When it comes to relationships!

But in other areas if it's something they need to fix or know

if they're doing something wrong

[She tends to tell people she cares about] I tend to tell the people I care about.

That's what I tend to do.

No matter what they think of me I do it because I care about them.

They'll understand your true intentions.

[True intentions are only seen over time] They'll understand eventually

but at the time, they can be very confused.

So recently, have you had any disappointments with your younger friends

or anything you'd like them to work on?

Not at the moment!

They're all doing so well.

What I learn from Sae Ho is

he's so affectionate!

[True] And I never realized that kind of affection

[Affection is power] could be such a huge source of strength.

If I'm feeling a little down

he'll check on me morning, noon, and night.

"Did you eat yet?"

"I hope you have a great day today."

And what do you say back?

Just a normal conversation. She would say, "Thanks. I just ate."

[A heartwarming daily conversation] "I'm about to do this now."

"Okay, got it."

- I can't do things like that... - But even though we just hang up

I'll cry after we hang up!

Because it's so heartwarming.

We talk on the phone sometimes, but Sae Ho

always says, "Have a good day."

[His warmth is ingrained] He has a warm side to him.

And then I reply firmly

"Do not force a good day upon me."

[I will choose what kind of day it will be]

"I will make my own day."

And then I say

"In that case, I offer my apologies."

[Their back-and-forth]

So Sae Ho has that side to him.

I genuinely mean it! I hope that the day you have

is a little more joyful than mine.

[Nods] And that the day you have is a little more

fulfilling than mine.

But why did you skip over me?

Gosh! Now I'm getting mad.

[Quickly mediates] You two are not that close yet, obviously.

- He went straight from here to there... - Not that close yet.

I was waiting for my turn but the conversation never came my way.

No, listen!

You go with the star first then the star's friend.

That's the order.

The eldest goes last!

One, two, three.

That's just the fate of the star's friend.

[Comfort that isn't very comforting] That's just the flow of conversation.

I threw that out there because I thought you were never gonna get to me!

I was just about to talk about Jeeseokjin World.

Honestly, watching you, Seok Jin

from a junior's perspective!

You consistently take care of yourself so that we juniors!

Even as time goes on

you're paving the way for us to work longer.

[His heart melts like snow] Thanks. That means a lot if you think that.

No, really!

I joke about it on Running Man

about being the oldest on a variety show

- By doing variety at your age... - At some point, I just got that old.

- There's no one over 60. - Hey! I'm not over 60, you punk!

[Fiercely defending his 50s] I'm in my 50s! You keep saying that and people...

But if you were born in 1966

[Fact check] you will be 60 next year, internationally.

I told you, I'm not accepting next year.

[Declares a 2026 boycott] So you're not accepting 2026?

- I've decided not to. - Really?

Anyway

[Stop the age talk, keep the compliments coming] what you were saying seemed like a compliment

- please continue. - Anyway, so.

I hoped more people would recognize this side of him.

And finally, after a ten-year fermentation period!

[Seok-Three's charm has finally fermented] His charm has finally come to fruition.

You know, great minds think alike. Because!

I've always found Seok Jin so charming, even back in the day.

He's like a fragrance that lingers subtly for a long time.

I'm a bit of a sentimental person so if I had to make a comparison

I think he has a bit of a Santa Claus vibe.

[A touched Jee-ta Claus] Like someone you're always happy to see.

But this isn't fake right now, is it?

[Living a real life, for now] This is real.

For me, I think

if the word "likable" were a person it would be you.

Awwwww!

[A roar of pure joy]

- Really, can't disagree! - I'll do better from now on.

[Brotherly love restored by a shower of praise] If you need anything, just call me.

Jee-ta Claus, Jee-ta Claus.

Wow, what an incredible line!

If the words "top star" were a person it would be Yu Jae Seok.

Oh, that's true!

And if the words "star's friend" were a person, it would be Jee Seok Jin.

[The human form of "likable"] Likable and star's friend.

[The human form of "star's friend" (new)] That's all you.

Did you really have to say that part?

This guy is a true top star.

Somehow, he just became a top star.

I can't deny it, but I can't agree either.

It's an awkward position, you know?

- Just accept it. - Yeah, just own it.

Right.

It's kind of like

there's a brand of ramyeon we all really love, right?

Even when new ones come out there's that one that's always loved.

I think it's kind of like that.

[Now it's Sae Ho's turn] Let's hear one for our Sae Ho, too.

Uh, Sae Ho is...

What would it be?

You don't have to force it... haha.

[A moment to think] Let me think.

[Give me a second] Just give me a second.

I'm a little hurt...

[Disappointment explosion] What you usually think of me...

Like I said a few times the reason A Fake Life fits him is...

[Starts a one-man play]

Sae Ho's a star, too!

Seok Jin) "Hello? Oh, Sae Ho."

Seok Jin) "You're doing great these days. Where are you?"

Sae Ho) "I'm at home."

Seok Jin) "Right. You've been killing it lately."

"This is Jeeseokjin World."

[Calling during his YouTube shoot There was a reason for his warmth]

Because my personality is normally...

[The type to make small talk phone calls] "How've you been?"

[not his style] I'm not that kind of person.

But when you're filming YouTube sometimes you just want to hear someone's voice.

So I'll call sometimes then.

True.

When he calls me again the next week from my perspective

I think, "This time it's a real check-in call."

[Happy to get a call] "Oh, Sae Ho."

Seok Jin) "Yeah, thanks for last time."

Seok Jin) "Thanks to you the conversation turned out fun."

- Seok Jin) "So, where are you?" - Sae Ho) "I'm at home."

Seok Jin) "Okay. This is Jeeseokjin World."

[It always leads back to Jeeseokjin World]

That was a long time ago... That's an old story.

But actually, with Sae Ho

you said he was warm earlier.

- He's affectionate. - I get what you mean.

The reason he was able to marry such a wonderful person

was probably because of that warmth.

That's not it. His status in the entertainment industry...

Is that what we're talking about?

[Rephrasing the question: Sae Ho's position and influence in the entertainment industry]

Just give me a little time.

[Thinking] Well, Sae Ho's a star!

Me? Am I a star?

- Of course! - If you saw his wedding, he's a star.

What about me?

[Expectant] Umm...

A famous TV personality?

[Jee Seok Jin / Famous TV Personality]

A star is... But wait a minute.

[A recurring topic on A Fake Life] What's the definition of a star?

[Redefining what a star is] What does it take to be a star?

Honestly, you think you're a star, right?

[Denies it at first] No, I just...

When I'm here with you guys I don't think of myself as a star.

But when I meet up with my old classmates...

- I think it depends on the crowd you're with. - Here comes the neighborhood star.

In that setting, I feel like a star. But!

When I'm with my colleagues like this, honestly

I've never once genuinely thought of myself as a star.

I think I'm the same way.

Hey! How could you?

[Hurt by the directness] To just say it out loud...

[Unfair] You're not very warm.

That's not it! I'm saying I feel the same way!

How so?

When I'm with our colleagues

I never think, "I'm a celebrity."

I don't feel like a celebrity either.

But with my friends, or...

when I'm with the other moms from La El's school...

Then you feel like a star.

[Depending on the group you're with] The other moms are like...

[your fame feels different] I think it's all relative.

I think so.

[Awards show ver.: A new standard for top stars] There's also this. When you go to an awards show

the people doing interviews on the red carpet

[S#1 A star being interviewed at an awards show] if someone more influential shows up

the interview will be like

"Oh, welcome, so glad to have you."

"Please say a few words."

"You seem like a strong contender for an award."

"Could you give us a little preview of your acceptance speech?"

[The interview gets relatively longer] There's more to talk about.

[If you're not a top star] But if you're relatively less famous

"Hello, Ms. Hong Jin Kyung is here with us."

"Please say a quick hello."

"Yes, hello."

"Alright, everyone, a round of applause!"

[Top star criteria Do you get a long red carpet interview?]

Back in the day, it was

[Difference #2: Camera flash speed] the shutter speed of the reporters' cameras.

Oh, that's a thing!

When the reporters and photographers are there...

Flash flash flash flash flash!

[For top stars, the camera flashes are endless] That sound goes on for a long time.

[Like a fireworks display] It's like the grand finale of a fireworks show.

It really is like that.

[When you're relatively less famous] If it's someone less influential

you know how at the end of a fireworks show

they launch that last signal flare?

Pop!

[Top star criteria: How fast do the cameras flash on the red carpet?]

[Adding another new criteria] And you know what else? You go there

[S#2 Entering the press zone for an awards show interview]

and there are a lot of press reporters, right?

"Alright! Mr. Yu Jae Seok has arrived!"

"Please look to the center and wave."

"Now to the right."

"And the left."

"Can you make a heart for us?"

"Last one, how about a finger heart?"

[The number of requests is proportional to fame] There are a lot of different requests.

[On the other hand] Relatively speaking

"Welcome."

"Center."

"Right, left."

"Thank you for your time."

[Top star criteria: How many poses are you asked to do?]

Why do you keep

picking on Jin Kyung?

[Bitter...] Why are you doing that to her?

Because if I used Seok Jin he'd get really offended.

[Fake] I'm fine with it!

I told you, as long as you don't spit on me.

Oh, I forgot. I should have...

You should have done it.

I remember this about him from a long time ago...

This could also be a story about star versus not-a-star.

[A long, long time ago, before he was a top star] Since he was a comedian, people knew his face.

- Some middle school girls came up to him. - There were those ambiguous times.

They were like, "Can we have your autograph?"

They could tell I was a celebrity

but they weren't really fans of mine.

[The celeb they were waiting for isn't out yet] They were just killing time.

The person they were waiting for didn't show.

[Asks the Gyewon for an autograph instead] So they were like, "Can we have your autograph?"

I was a bit flustered, but I was signing for them

when the person they were actually waiting for

[A top singer of that era] their star, finally came out.

[Their real target, Shim Shin, appears] Shim Shin.

So I wasn't even done signing yet

and they were like, "Give it back!"

[What is this? Give it back] You know what I'm talking about, right?

"So, what's your name?"

"No, it's fine. Just give it back!"

Because they had to hurry over there.

[The flustered Gyewon and the frantic fan] They were getting in line over there.

[Adding another new criteria] And another thing, I noticed this in detail.

[For example] Let's say a news article comes out.

[Article about the Pinggyego Awards is published] "At today's Pinggyego Awards"

"these celebrities were in attendance."

[The stars who graced the Pinggyego Awards] "Yu Jae Seok, Hong Jin Kyung, Nam Chang Hee"

"Jee Seok Min..."

Sometimes your name gets spelled wrong.

[Top star criteria: Your name never gets misspelled or mispronounced]

Top stars rarely get their names wrong

but sometimes when I go places I get called Cho Se Hun.

[Forcefully renamed] What?

They don't recognize me that well.

Until recently, I was often called Hong Jin Young.

I used to get called Ha Seok Jin a lot...

[Failed the top star test]

But one time, this guy called me a completely unrelated name.

[When they visited Sewoon Shopping Center] At Sewoon Shopping Center.

- "Hey, Jee Sung Hwan!" - That was so funny.

And for Myeong Su, "Oh, Uhm Young Soo!"

[Even Myeong Su couldn't pass the top star test]

Back when I was Yangbaechu I heard it a lot in Yongsan.

[Cabbage, onion, king chives) Yangbaechu, Yangpa, Wangbuchu...

I was walking through Yongsan

and someone was like, "Oh? Uh, uh, uh..."

[Sweet potato] "Goguma!"

[An endless variety of names] "Sir, a sweet potato is..."

Seriously? A sweet potato is a root vegetable.

"Goguma."

I'm not lying, I have a witness!

But I think you made a great choice changing from Yangbaechu to Cho Sae Ho.

- Actually, he helped me with that. - I did.

Jae Seok helped you?

[During their Come to Play days on MBC] When we were doing Come to Play.

Sae Ho came up to me and said

[Yangbaechu → Cho Sae Ho, asked him for advice] "I'm thinking of dropping my stage name..."

"and using my real name. When should I start?" So I said

"Do it today."

Sae Ho) "Huh? Starting today?"

Sae Ho) "Is that really okay?"

"Why not?"

"Just say your name." So

when we started filming Come to Play

[Introduced him as "Cho Sae Ho" right away] I introduced him as "Mr. Cho Sae Ho."

So that's how it happened?

But to get people used to "Cho Sae Ho"

I would say, "Hello, I'm 'formerly Yangbaechu' 'currently Cho Sae Ho.'"

Right, I remember that.

[And thus the "Formerly-Yang-Currently-Cho"] So I went by Cho Sae Ho, but with that intro.

[Pinggyego!]

Today, like I said earlier amidst the fake life there was a real life!

[Today was a sincere, real life] There was real life and sincerity today.

- There was. - Which is why it was such a precious time.

That's right.

Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?

Plenty! So much more!

Oh, you still have more?

I still have a lot more.

But on the next A Fake Life I'll share all the stories I've been saving up.

I'll reveal them all here!

[Jin Kyung's updates, to be continued...] My life updates will continue.

Please look forward to it.

- Sounds good. - Thank you.

Alright! Thank you to our guests today Joseph, Hong Jin Kyung

and our very own Seok-Three.

[Gracing us with their presence] With these three stars

[Saying goodbye with the stars of A Fake Life] we bid you all farewell for today.

[Brings up another topic] The year is almost over.

Yes.

- You have the awards show coming up, right? - We do.

I heard they've already set a date.

[Suddenly remembers] Oh, and that thing Jin Kyung said

[Another topic #2] "Should we look into a snack bar in the US?"

That was almost two years ago.

- Wow, you're amazing. - Time flies... But!

- Her drive is incredible. - Jin Kyung is actually doing it now.

Wow, I have so much respect for that.

I just try to move forward little by little, step by step.

Even if they're small steps

I'll keep walking towards my goals.

[Attempts to wrap up] And on the next Pinggyego A Fake Life

I'll be back to share more news with all of you.

You just said that...

She's so adorable.

I don't think this guy ever wants to stop.

The conversation is just repeating itself!

[Spinning in circles] Wait, did I just doze off for a second?

[Can't bear to let his favorite comedian go] Letting Jin Kyung go...

Why won't he just let us go home?

Seriously, are we filming three episodes today?

He's really getting his money's worth!

If he asks if you have anything else to say, say no.

These people, if I were to say right now

"Alright, then!"

[Once they start, they can't stop] "It's been so long since we all met."

they would just start another whole conversation.

The back of her hair has grown out a bit.

Just now! I swear it wasn't touching her shoulders, but it's grown.

It feels like we've been talking for six months.

I'm sad it's ending though!

- It is. - I'm sad.

Because we don't get to see each other often.

I wish I could just fall asleep while we're talking.

That seems like the cleanest way to end it.

[The actual final goodbye] I don't know when we'll see you again

[Going up] but we'll be back with another A Fake Life.

[Not the actual final goodbye Just a brother who doesn't want to go home]

We have to mention iloom, iloom.

[Going down]

Because we had iloom today we got to have this breakfast.

So comfortable.

[Thank you, iloom Up Motion Table] And it was delicious.

The adjustable height is so nice.

[The real, real ending / Whirrr] Alright, then, until the next A Fake Life.

[A Fake Life will return] Bye!

Thank you, iloom Up Motion Table.

Jin Kyung) I'm sad. I'm sad to say goodbye.

Jae Seok) I'm sad, so sad!

Sae Ho) You all worked hard.

Seok Jin) Oh, what's this? I didn't even see this!

Jae Seok) Jin Kyung looks like she's at a press conference.

Jae Seok) Oh, this Fake Life is so funny.

- Okay, Jin Kyung, go on. - I'm going.

Good work, everyone.

I'm off.

[Production: Antenna Plus Mixing: Cheongchun Sound]

[Pinggyego!]