On the SBS show “My Ugly Duckling” (referred to as “MyUgly”), the full story of singer Lee Sang-min’s marriage was finally revealed. According to Nielsen Korea on the 12th, the episode aired on the 11th scored a 3.4% viewership rating among the 2049 audience demographic, and 12.8% among households in the metropolitan area, making it the number one weekly variety show for both categories. The nationwide household rating was 12.0%.
On this episode, special MC Kim Ji-ho, known for her ageless appearance, surprised everyone by revealing she is the same age as Seo Jang-hoon. Kim Ji-ho, part of a celebrity couple with Kim Ho-jin, admitted, “We fought a lot when we first got married. I’m forgetful, and Kim Ho-jin would get more upset about it.” When asked by MC Seo Jang-hoon if she would marry her husband again, she hesitated before saying, “Five or six years ago, I would have said no, but now I think I might.”
FT Island’s vocalist Lee Hong-ki joined as part of the ‘NEW MyUgly’. His mother openly stated, “My son is a 40-pointer. He’s a genuinely free spirit. I understand him because I’m his mother, but an outsider would find it hard to understand.” When the disarray in Lee Hong-ki’s house was revealed, the studio reacted with shock. Seeing Lee Hong-ki use a tissue he blew his nose with to wipe his mouth, Seo Jang-hoon commented, “It’s on another level. It’s so overwhelming I can’t even think of criticizing it.” His mother mentioned, “It once took me 8 hours to clean his place.” This segment hit a 14.6% viewership, earning the title of ‘Best 1 Minute’.
Lee Hong-ki, who installed a bathtub in his room for his dream of half-body baths, continued to watch anime unaffected even as his bedroom flooded, prompting awe in the studio. Observers remarked, “He’s living according to the flow of consciousness. He’s a much tougher opponent than Hee-chul.”
The episode also detailed the unexpected marriage news of Lee Sang-min, which had previously shocked everyone. Seo Jang-hoon admitted to having no inkling of Lee’s relationship, saying, “I couldn’t believe it on the day and thought it was a hidden camera prank.” Preparing for another marriage, Kim Jun-ho joked, “Are you envious because I’m getting married?” Seo Jang-hoon and Kim Jun-ho, after seeing a photo of Lee’s bride, commented, “She’s so young. Why would such a beautiful woman… It’s not a capture of a pretty woman from SNS, is it?”
Lee Sang-min expressed his thoughts on marriage: “When telling my story makes me this happy, I thought marrying this person would mean no more stress.” Seo Jang-hoon jokingly remarked that his bride skipped the wedding due to Lee’s recent debt clearance, bringing laughter. Later, during a phone call with Kim Jun-ho, Lee’s wife noted Lee’s charm as a clumsy but earnest cook.
A video message from Lee Sang-min’s late mother, created using AI, was played, bringing tears to Seo Jang-hoon, Kim Jun-ho, and the studio. Finally completing their marriage registration at the district office, Lee Sang-min shared his emotions saying, “I feel like a weight has been lifted from my heart.”
“My Ugly Duckling” airs every Sunday at 9 PM.