Jo Bo-ah’s Family Secrets Revealed: “My Dad’s a Dentist, and We’re Super Close”
A new episode of the popular YouTube show Jjanhan-hyung Shin Dong-yup released on May 19—titled “Jo Bo-ah, Uhm Ji-won, Park Byung-eun {Jjanhan-hyung} EP. 93 — A Legendary Episode That Would’ve Remained Untold If the Cameras Weren’t Rolling”—offered fans a rare and honest glimpse into the off-screen chemistry of the stars of Netflix’s Dear Hongrang.
Appearing as guests were Jo Bo-ah, Uhm Ji-won, and Park Byung-eun, who didn’t hold back in sharing humorous and touching personal stories. When asked by host Jung Ho-chul if she had any habits while drinking, Jo Bo-ah answered, “What worries me is that I become very quiet when I drink.” To that, Shin Dong-yup playfully teased, “That’s the worst.”
Uhm Ji-won jumped in to shower praise on her co-star, saying, “Bo-ah is just a naturally lovable person. While a dark persona can be charming, Bo-ah has this inherently bright and warm energy.” Park Byung-eun echoed the sentiment, revealing, “Even during filming, Ji-won said Bo-ah seems like someone who was truly loved by her family growing up.”
Jo Bo-ah confirmed this warmth, saying, “My dad is a dentist. I received a lot of love growing up. I have one sister, and our family is very close-knit and bonded.”
The conversation shifted when Shin Dong-yup asked Uhm Ji-won about her appearance in When Life Gives You Tangerines. Though the drama was filmed two years ago, it has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. “That must feel strange,” Shin remarked. “Even though your character seems villainous, she has warmth.”
Uhm Ji-won revealed she had turned down previous offers from director Kim Won-seok due to scheduling conflicts. “I’ve always admired his work, so I thought if I turned this one down too, I might never get to work with him,” she explained. She was so drawn to the script that she personally requested to play Aesoon’s mother, offering fans behind-the-scenes insight into her choice.
The episode, brimming with genuine affection, playful teasing, and heartfelt confessions, showed a new side of these veteran actors, proving why Dear Hongrang has struck such a chord with viewers.
