Why Netflix Hit 'Mongle Mongle Mongle' Is Winning Hearts with Lee Hyo-ri ♥ Lee Sang-soon's Love Mentoring

SBS Special’s "Mongle Mongle Mongle" is spreading by word of mouth for its warmhearted leads Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon―and the pure charm of its cast―and it’s still ruling the Netflix charts in week two.

SBS Special’s "Mongle Mongle Mongle" follows young adults with developmental disabilities (hereafter “Mongle participants”) who dream of love but haven’t had the chance. Over eight weeks, they receive dating coaching from “counselors” Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon as they search for their first love.

Two of the three total episodes have aired, and the show’s authentic take on the cast’s dating journeys and growth is sparking stronger buzz by the day. The numbers back it up. Episode 2 ranked No. 1 among terrestrial channels in its time slot, and the key 20-49 demo doubled versus the premiere. Plus, after debuting on the charts in week one, it stayed on Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows in South Korea Today in week two, landing at No. 8 as of March 17―cutting through the dopamine overload to keep its glow-up going.

A big reason for the rare success and wide praise for a romance show centered on young adults with developmental disabilities is the presence of Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon. They go far beyond the usual mentor role and serve as the show’s emotional core and symbol of sincerity.

Most striking is their mentoring style. They don’t just watch dates and analyze from afar. They meet the Mongle participants face-to-face after each date, swap honest recaps, and troubleshoot together. They’re “hands-on mentors” who spark real change, not just reaction shots. Their support even extends beyond the studio. Lee Hyo-ri went shopping with Oh Ji-hyun to help style her for a second blind date, while Lee Sang-soon co-planned a Namiseom train trip with Jung Ji-won, who was traveling without a guardian for the first time―gentle help that supports independence, not just romance.

Their attitude stands out, too. When people look at young adults with developmental disabilities, the gaze often leans toward “protection” or “pity.” Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon choose a different lens. They don’t treat them as “special cases,” but as juniors experiencing first love, keeping a natural, respectful distance. They neither over-shelter nor push too hard. Instead, they empathize, and step in only when needed. This approach lets the Mongle participants take the lead―learning love and building relationships on their own terms. It also invites viewers to see their stories not as “exceptions,” but as universal emotions anyone can relate to.

Producer Go Hye-rin, who created and directed "Mongle Mongle Mongle", explained why the duo were cast: “We needed adults who would see young people with developmental disabilities as ‘young people’ before ‘disability,’ and that’s why we invited the two.” It’s hard to imagine anyone else helming this counseling center.

"Mongle Mongle Mongle", Korea’s first dating reality series featuring young adults with developmental disabilities, airs its final Episode 3 on March 22 (Sun) at 11:05 p.m. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)