Han Ji-min & Lee Seo-jin's Playful 'Sibling' Banter Steals the Show; Kim Kwang-kyu Is Jealous

Han Ji-min and Lee Seo-jin served up peak playful bickering chemistry.

On the Dec. 26 episode of SBS’ variety series “Manager Seojin,” Han appeared as the featured star.

With Lee behind the wheel as her “manager,” Han filmed him on her phone, prompting Kim Kwang-kyu to crack, “You’re actually a good driver―why haven’t you been doing this all along?”

Han then asked Lee, “Has any close friend ever come on the show?” When he said no, she teased, “So people find you intimidating and don’t ask you to do much―no wonder the ‘manager’ barely has any work.”

Lee pushed back―“What do you mean I don’t do anything?”―and Han shot right back, “If anything, we’re the ones managing you.” Kim piled on: “Exactly. Seo-jin hasn’t done all that much.”

After a full day on set, Han prepped for a crucial final-episode ending scene and asked the team to scout a spot for the after-shoot dinner.

She set strict parameters―skip the carbs and no soups―sparking more lighthearted squabbling with Lee that kept the laughs coming.

Watching quietly from the monitor, Lee turned reflective: “It’s been over 20 years for you now. At your level and age, staying that good―and enduring that long―is pretty amazing,” he said, revealing real affection beneath the banter.

Despite being hungry himself, Lee volunteered to handle Han’s snack run―then secretly split a sandwich with Kim. Sensing something was up, Han did a playful spot check and found the “evidence,” catching them red-handed.

Once they wrapped and headed to the after-party, the team asked if Han usually eats just one meal a day. She explained she’s on a tighter routine with awards season ahead.

Han then hopped on Instagram Live to chat with fans. Caught off guard, the Manager Seojin crew still jumped in to say hello at her request, and even in the brief stream, Han and Lee’s chemistry was on full display.

Dinner was eobok-jangban, a traditional Korean hot pot. Mid-meal, Han proposed “yaja time,” a playful moment to drop honorifics and speak casually. When Lee asked why, she said, “Because there are things about you that get under my skin,” and wanted the floor.

Lee quipped that she already talks to him informally anyway: “Only two people do this to me―Jung Yu-mi and Ji-min.” Han argued, “You don’t treat Yu-mi like you treat me,” airing her grievances.

“I’m good to you,” Lee countered. “And she just speaks casually―she doesn’t boss me around like you do.” Han protested, “When have I ever crossed the line?”

Even without Lee’s sign-off, yaja time kicked off and Han immediately went, “Hey, Seo-jin.” Lee laughed: “See? This is exactly what I mean.”

“Don’t live like that,” Han joked. “You’re so comfortable you do TV as a hobby, right?” Then she flipped it, telling him to use formal speech with her: “Call me ‘sunbae.’” Lee obeyed―“Yes, ma’am, sunbae”―then added, “If she’s like this, I can’t keep going,” seeing right through her bit.

His obedient tone threw Han for a moment, but she pressed on: “Admit what you did and apologize, and I’ll forgive you.”

Lee wouldn’t budge, insisting the incident she cited was on her―“You fell on your own”―hinting their dynamic won’t be changing anytime soon.

Watching the two, Kim Kwang-kyu admitted, “I’m jealous. They bicker like real siblings. I wish I had a junior like that.”

Lee reflected on their bond: “We spent nearly 10 months living and working side by side on a project. All that time made it easy between us, even if we don’t meet often,” he said. “I don’t know if Ji-min actually likes me, but I’ve never thought badly of her. She’s kind at heart.”

Han summed up the night: “Half a success, half more pent-up frustration. If you’d acknowledged our past, I would’ve felt seen,” she said, giving Lee one last chance to apologize.

Lee refused with a laugh―“Why do you keep asking me to apologize? You’re so weird”―and Han sighed, “Some things never change,” as their lovable squabbling carried on to the end. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)