OFF SCRIPT
Monday, Jan 20
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Hey, WHC ward patients 👻
Got some fresh updates on Ji-hoon and Hyun-wook from our beloved Canoe Trio 🛶today.
I was watching today's Salon Drip episode and had to pause multiple times because Yoo Hae-jin's impressions of Ji-hoon were just... so adorable 😂
More on that in a second. But first—
Table of Contents
THE MOMENT YOO HAE-JIN FELL FOR JI-HOON
Today's Salon Drip with Yoo Hae-jin and Park Ji-hoon for The King's Warden just dropped.
And there was this ONE moment that had me grinning like an idiot on the subway 😂
What Yoo Hae-jin said about Ji-hoon:
"He doesn't make empty promises" 👀
"He won't say things he can't be responsible for"
"He's just... a really solid kid"
The Adorable Part
Director Jang Hang-jun invited Ji-hoon to a film festival: "Come by if you have time!"
🗣️ Most people would say: "Yes! I'll definitely come!"
🐰 Ji-hoon said: "Uhhh... mmm... yeahh..." (while visibly cute)
And Yoo Hae-jin did an impression of Ji-hoon's awkward mumbling on camera. It was the highlight of the entire episode 😂
The viral quote: "Uhhhhhh... yeahhhh…" ← This is Ji-hoon trying NOT to lie about his schedule 🥹
Why This Matters
What seems like social awkwardness is actually radical honesty in Korean entertainment industry.
Veteran actors notice this stuff. Yoo Hae-jin literally said: "Whatever this kid says, I believe him."
That's not a small compliment.
For context: Ji-hoon also lost 15kg in 2.5 months for this Danjong role after Weak Hero 2 wrapped. The dedication is real.
KOREAN "EMPTY WORDS" CULTURE EXPLAINED
If you've ever been confused by Korean social interactions, here's why:
Common Korean "empty words":
"밥 한번 먹자" (bap 🍚 hanbeon 1️⃣ meokja 🥢 / Let's eat sometime) = friendly gesture, not actual plan
"우리 집에 놀러 와" (uri jibe 🏠 nolleo wa / Come visit my place) = showing hospitality, don't actually show up
"꼭 갈게요" (kkok 🤞 galgeyo / I'll definitely come) = polite response, 80% chance they won't
"연락드릴게요" (yeonrak 📞 deurilgeyo / I'll contact you) = conversation ender
These aren't lies. They're social lubricant. They keep relationships smooth and faces saved.
So when someone like Ji-hoon refuses to make empty promises?
Directors and veteran actors notice immediately.
So on Salon Drip, Yoo Hae-jin revealed that both he and Director Jang really like this side of Ji-hoon.
(Side note: If you want to dive deeper into Korean honorifics and how they shaped Yeon Si-eun's character, I covered that in my last newsletter → Su-ho's Hidden Humor)
HYUN-WOOK'S 2026 IS STACKED
🛶 Speaking of our Canoe Trio—
Choi Hyun-wook (our beloved Su-ho) just confirmed FIVE projects for 2026:
Confirmed:
✅ After School Teacher Taeri (tvN, Feb 22, 2026) - Variety show
✅ Delusion (Disney+, H2 2026)
✅ Notes from The Last Row (Netflix, Q4 2026)
✅ Perfect Job (Netflix, Q4 2026)
Under Discussion:
🤔 In The River Where Evil Rises
Remember when I wrote about his "ghang" (steel gut) and how every director wants to work with him? This lineup is the proof.
(If you missed that essay about why people are jealous of Hyun-wook's natural talent → Read here)
Three Netflix projects. One Disney+. One tvN variety.
My guy is BOOKED.
After School Teacher Taeri (tvN, Feb 22, 2026)
THE KING'S WARDEN - EVERYTHING YOU NEED
Release Date: February 4, 2026
Cast:
Yoo Hae-jin (village chief Eom Heung-do)
Park Ji-hoon (exiled King Lee Hong-wi/Danjong)
Yoo Ji-tae (Han Myeong-hoe)
Jeon Mi-do (court lady)
Director: Jang Hang-jun
What it's about:
Korea's FIRST film focusing on King Danjong's hidden story. 1457 Cheongryeongpo. A village chief who volunteered his town as an exile site. An exiled boy king. The untold days they spent together.
What are you watching this week?
Leave a comment below!
—Jennie
P.S. If this is your first time here: I'm Jennie, and I write bite-sized cultural notes about Korean dramas. The stuff that gets lost in subtitles. The context that makes rewatches twice as good.
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