Lee Min-jung Reflects on Husband Lee Byung-hun’s Transformation on “Heart on Wheels”
On the June 6 broadcast of KBS 2TV’s “Heart on Wheels”, viewers were brought to tears and laughter as Lee Min-jung shared heartfelt moments with guests and her fellow castmates in a remote village in Samcheok, Gangwon Province.
During this second day in the mountain village, Lee Min-jung, the team leader of the “Jung Siblings” (Lee Min-jung, Boom, Ahn Jae-hyun, Kim Jung-hyun, Kim Jae-won), showed her emotional depth as she listened to the elderly villagers’ stories, shed tears, and displayed her competitive spirit during fun challenges.
Touching the Hearts of Elders
Lee Min-jung and Boom visited a Korean alphabet class for seniors, where Lee volunteered as the teacher. She used example sentences drawn from her own life, such as “I was happiest when my first son was born” and “I cook well, so my family loves it”, to help the elderly with their reading and writing.
When one elderly woman tearfully shared that the anniversary of her husband’s death was approaching, Lee Min-jung was visibly moved and began to cry. Boom added his own story, sharing that his father passed away in an accident, and said, “The only thing I’d say to him is ‘I missed you.'” Their sincere empathy offered genuine comfort to the villagers and moved viewers deeply.
A Taste of Competition and Laughter
Elsewhere, the handsome quartet (Ahn Jae-hyun, Kim Jung-hyun, Kim Jae-won, Lee Jun-young) visited a traditional market to prepare for a village feast. The group’s encounters with playful locals, unexpected nostalgia over an IU cardboard cutout, and spirited food tasting brought humor and charm to the episode.
For the feast, the cast chose to serve a Western-style course meal—a novelty for the villagers. Kim Jung-hyun surprised everyone with his excellent pumpkin soup, and an elder even returned to personally deliver a thank-you letter to Lee Min-jung.
Honest Conversations by Night
Later that night, the cast gathered for a heartfelt conversation. Lee Min-jung praised Kim Jung-hyun, saying, “At first, you looked like you were just trying hard. But now, you seem to enjoy it, and that’s healthier.”
Kim Jung-hyun confessed, “I used to prefer being alone. That started when I began acting. But through ‘Heart on Wheels’, I realized I enjoy meeting people. Being around good people gives me good energy.”
Lee Min-jung, picking up on his transformation, shared, “Actors can’t survive alone. My husband (Lee Byung-hun) was once trapped in isolation too. But I told him, ‘Actors portray people—how can you act without being around them? You need to enjoy your life.’ He’s changed a lot since then.” She added warmly, “Actors must not isolate themselves. Life needs to be joyful.”
More Than Just Tears
Lee Min-jung didn’t just bring tears—she also delivered laughs. In a post-dinner hula hoop competition to decide dishwashing duties, she dramatically tossed off her outerwear and dove into the contest, showing off her fierce competitive spirit and natural humor.
As the show continues, Lee Min-jung’s versatility and sincerity shine brighter with each episode, and her chemistry with the “Jung siblings” keeps viewers eagerly tuning in.