Girls' Generation's Choi Yuri faces Jeju bugs and her own doubts
On MBC's I Live Alone, Choi Yuri opens up about third-year Jeju life, post-stage emptiness, hijiki pot rice and a 20-year yam juice routine.
"What Can I Do on My Own?" The Reason She Headed to Jeju
Girls' Generation's Yuri revealed her daily life during her third year living in Jeju. In the episode of MBC's 'I Live Alone' broadcast on the 10th at 11:10 PM, Yuri's realistic life in Jeju was depicted, a stark contrast to her glamorous stage presence.
From the morning, Yuri was shown struggling with the humidity and insects of Jeju. While being startled by bugs appearing in unexpected places, she showed her unfiltered daily life of moving her body and living directly amidst nature while solving problems on her own.
She also opened up about her reasons for choosing life in Jeju. While the spotlight during her busiest activity periods brought happiness, it also brought a deep sense of emptiness to her personal life. "I found myself thinking, 'What can I do on my own?' but I realized I was so lacking," Yuri confessed. As she grew closer to nature, she sincerely shared, "In Jeju, instead of worrying about how things look, I focus more on making a living."
Pot Rice Made with Hand-Harvested Hijiki and a 20-Year Health Routine
The beach became Yuri's grocery store. Using hijiki she harvested herself, she prepared 'Pollock Roe and Hijiki Pot Rice' topped with plenty of butter-grilled pollack roe. This scene of her enjoying a simple, hearty meal marked the highlight of the broadcast, recording a peak per-minute viewership rating of 8.9%.
The secret to Yuri's solid physical strength lies in a routine she has maintained for 20 years: 'yam juice,' which her mother has prepared for her every morning since her high school days. The method involves taking frozen yam and blending it with milk, apple, and honey. Jun Hyun-moo expressed empathy toward Yuri for maintaining this routine for such a long period of 20 years.
The Finale of the 'Rainbow Summer Retreat' Talent Show
The talent show 'Night of the Rainbow,' the finale of the '1st Rainbow Summer Retreat,' took place in a festive atmosphere. Jun Hyun-moo transformed into 'Mu-lit,' a parody of Illit, to perform the 'It's Mu' stage, while Koo Seong-hwan and Park Kyung-hye heated up the mood with 'Candy in My Ear.' Bae Na-ra sang 'Thorn' passionately, and Kian84 and Kim Dae-ho transformed into 'Seotaiji84' and 'Junno84,' respectively, to recreate Seo Taiji and Boys' 'Comeback Home.'
Code Kunst showcased a talent for removing tablecloths, and Lee Sun-min performed a toy act. Minho sang 'If I Say,' while 'Cooling Cooling'—formed by Park Ji-hyun, Joy, and Seo Bum-june—sang 'Sorrow.' Following intense voting, Kim Shin Young, transformed into 'Auntie Davi,' took home the grand prize.
The broadcast recorded a viewership rating of 6.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area, ranking first among Friday variety programs. The 2054 viewership also reached 4.1%, topping the charts for its time slot and Friday variety shows. Next week's preview teased Lee Joo Seung's challenge as a director, as well as the running life of the 'Real Run Crew' featuring Kian84, Minho, and Bae Na-ra.
