Comedians Lee Kyung-sil and Cho Hye-ryeon swapped stories about the “villains” they’ve run into in showbiz and everyday life.
On the Aug. 26 episode of Rolling Thunder’s YouTube series "New Women", the duo dug into the theme of “villains.” Lee noted how some actors happily do variety shows early on, only to act like they’re above it once they blow up. “They start behaving as if they never did variety at all,” she said, calling out the industry’s two-faced types.
Then Lee shared a story that still warms her heart―about Song Seung-heon. She recalled working with him at the start of his career on the hit sitcom "Three Guys and Three Girls." “He became such a massive star that it felt strange to even say his name,” she said. “We ran into each other by chance, and he greeted me with a big hug.” While she was filming "Quiz to Change the World" (literal translation) at the time, Lee asked if he’d call in during taping. “He said yes right away―and he actually did it. I’m still so grateful to Seung-heon.”
Lee also reflected on tougher moments. “Back then, there were so many people who were different in front and behind your back―senior stars who spoke carelessly,” she said. “No one pushed back. I think I did, by saying, ‘You must be someone who hasn’t learned.’ I got labeled for it and didn’t win a rookie award until my fourth year.”
Cho’s “villain,” meanwhile, was closer than anyone expected: Lee herself―said with a laugh. “After my divorce, I stepped away from TV and stayed in China. On a show, Kyung-sil talked about me and burst into tears,” Cho said. “It was touching, but at the same time, she was using me as material―so, you know, that kind of ‘villain.’”
The episode also revisited other so-called “villains” who ended up helping Cho―like veteran comedian Lee Hong-ryeol―plus why Lee got into the egg business, and a childhood encounter she had with a flasher, which she called a “real villain.”
“As it turns out, the ‘villains’ you meet day to day are often people with empty, hurting hearts,” Lee shared. “If you think of them that way, it’s easier. But first and foremost―avoid them.” Cho added, “When I meet people like that, I pray for them.”
"New Women" is a podcast-style YouTube show hosted by Lee Kyung-sil and Cho Hye-ryeon, with comedian Lee Sun-min moderating to bring in a younger perspective. Their candid, unfiltered banter has been resonating with viewers in their 20s and 30s. New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 6 p.m. KST on the Rolling Thunder channel.
[Photo: YouTube channel Rolling Thunder]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)