'Mongle Mongle Mongle' PD Explains Why She Wanted Lee Hyo-ri ♥ Lee Sang-soon as the Hosts

SBS Special’s “Mongle Mongle Mongle” is Korea’s first romance-growth show for young adults with developmental disabilities. PD Go Hye-rin opened up about why she created the series.

The show premieres Sunday, March 8, at 11:05 p.m. KST on SBS Special. Longtime power couple Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon, known for their rock-solid partnership 14 years into marriage, lead the project as “center directors,” cheering on young adults with developmental disabilities (nicknamed “Mongle Ssi”) as they take on their first romances. The theme song also spotlights major support: Music director No Young-sim, known for "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," gifted the track; Lee Hyo-ri recorded it, and Lee Sang-soon produced it. Fans are watching to see what kind of ripple effect this heartfelt project creates.

PD Go Hye-rin, who won the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards’ TV Educational Program Award last year for SBS’s documentary “Special-Hakjeon,” shared the personal story behind “Mongle Mongle Mongle” and why she chose a never-before-seen lens: a romance journey for young adults with developmental disabilities.

“This program started with my own younger brother, who is a young adult with a developmental disability,” Go said. “I first pitched it five years ago, not long after he became an adult. I asked myself, ‘Am I really treating my brother as an adult?’ I realized I’d never even considered that he might date. When we think of ‘youth,’ love and dating come naturally to mind, but that connection didn’t come as easily when I put ‘young adult with a developmental disability’ in front. What we don’t think about tends to be treated as if it doesn’t exist. And when something feels like it doesn’t exist, people can start to give up on themselves. That’s why I felt compelled to tell this story.”

“In those five years, my brother dated a few times, and I watched him go through it,” she added. “Over time, I began to see him through the lens of ‘a young person’s life.’ This isn’t a show that explains disability. It’s a show that asks us to rethink ‘youth’―something we haven’t easily pictured in this context.”

On why she brought in Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon as “center directors,” Go explained, “Five years ago, I worked with them on a piece called ‘Hyo-ri and Soonshim,’ about their beloved dog Soonshim, and that’s how we connected. Their sincerity left a strong impression. When I first shared this concept, they said, ‘This feels like a story we really need.’ Because it’s a space many haven’t deeply considered, they agreed it was even more necessary. I was very grateful.” She added, “We needed adults who would see the participants as ‘young people’ before ‘people with disabilities.’ That’s why we invited the two of them. Their perspective became the show’s anchor and made the storytelling richer.”

Go said the couple’s approach on set was especially striking. “This production felt different from typical TV shoots. Even if it didn’t all make the final cut, Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon spent a long time walking alongside these young adults. They met often, got to know each other more deeply, and naturally had conversations as ‘youth’ and ‘life seniors.’ The two led with their trademark honesty, and the participants were candid and unfiltered, too. They didn’t see the couple as distant stars, but more like supportive older friends.”

So how were the “Mongle Ssi” cast members chosen for their romance journeys? “We first shared the program’s purpose with organizations and groups that work with young adults with developmental disabilities, and the response was overwhelming. We conducted more than 500 interviews,” Go said. “What struck me most during production was how many young adults genuinely wanted a space like this. It wasn’t about being on TV. You could feel their real desire to meet someone and try dating.”

“Every moment amazed us,” she continued. “We tried to predict situations, but we couldn’t predict anything―how a first blind date would feel, how a first confession would go. One thing was clear: the participants didn’t hide their feelings, they didn’t exaggerate to look good, and they showed up with honesty every step of the way. At some point, we realized we didn’t need to force predictions or interpretations. We could just accept each moment as it was. Then we began to see not ‘special because of disability,’ but simply young people who get butterflies, feel disappointed, and find the courage to try again. Filming this made me even more certain: this is a story about youth, not about disability.”

As for what to watch in Episode 1, Go said, “Our premiere is about ‘firsts’ for the young people visiting ‘Mongle Mongle Mongle.’ First blind date, first date, first relationship―those challenges unfold. Everyone has awkward, clumsy memories from their first love. Even beyond romance, if you’ve ever cheered on someone’s first try at anything, you’ll naturally relate. The small stumbles and growth you’ll see―that’s all of us.” She added, “I hope this program creates a space to talk about the lives, dating, and love of young adults with developmental disabilities. It can’t represent every life, but if it starts the conversation, that alone is meaningful. We’re ready to receive criticism, too―that simply means more stories are needed.”

Set to challenge stereotypes this spring while delivering pure flutter and healing, “Mongle Mongle Mongle” premieres Sunday, March 8, at 11:05 p.m. KST on SBS Special.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)