On the evening of March 28, 2026, viewers tuning into MBN’s popular talk show Kim Joo-ha’s Day & Night found themselves swept up in a wave of nostalgia, laughter, and admiration as two acclaimed actors—Jang Hyun-sung and Jang Young-nam—took to the studio couches. The occasion? Their joint appearance in the stage play French Vault (불란서 금고), but the conversation quickly veered into a lively recollection of their formative years at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, unearthing stories that had the studio audience—and soon, the country—buzzing.
As the cameras rolled, Jang Hyun-sung wasted no time in shining a spotlight on his fellow alumna, Jang Young-nam. With a mix of sincerity and playful exaggeration, he declared, “The ‘queenka’ is the number one in her year, right? Young-nam was the most beautiful among students spanning five or six academic years.” His words landed with a thud of truth in the studio, where even the production staff chimed in, “I’ve heard those stories too,” lending further credibility to the legend of Jang Young-nam’s university-era allure, as reported by Newsen and Seoul Shinmun.
Jang Hyun-sung didn’t stop there. He doubled down, bestowing upon Jang Young-nam the moniker “the Daehangno Lee Young-ae”—a nod to the celebrated Korean actress Lee Young-ae, widely regarded for her timeless beauty. “It’s not something to be modest about. She was the Lee Young-ae of Daehangno,” he insisted, referencing the iconic theater district where the Seoul Institute of the Arts is located. The compliment, at once affectionate and grandiose, seemed to momentarily fluster Jang Young-nam, who waved her hands in protest and replied, “No, no, that’s not true. I wish people would stop saying that.” But her bashfulness only seemed to stoke the myth further, as laughter and knowing glances rippled through the studio.
The broadcast didn’t leave the audience to wonder whether these tales were embellished by nostalgia or friendly exaggeration. Archival footage and graduation photos of Jang Young-nam as a student flashed across the screen, providing visual proof of her striking looks. The images, which quickly circulated online after the episode aired, showed a young woman whose poise and beauty seemed to confirm every word of her former classmate’s testimony. According to Seoul Shinmun, these photos “supported the claims” of her legendary status, and studio staff were quick to agree, with one remarking, “I’ve heard those stories before.”
But while the spotlight shone brightly on Jang Young-nam, she was quick to redirect some of it back to Jang Hyun-sung, revealing her own memories of his university days. With a mischievous smile, she recalled, “He didn’t seem like a typical Seoul Institute of the Arts student. He was always writing, wearing a trench coat, and had this calm atmosphere. I thought he was acting like that on purpose to be popular.” Her playful jab sent the studio into fits of laughter, painting a picture of two young artists navigating campus life with a blend of ambition, individuality, and a dash of theatrical flair.
For viewers unfamiliar with the intricacies of Korean campus culture, the term “queenka” might sound foreign, but it carries weight in university circles. A “queenka” is the undisputed beauty of her cohort, often the focus of admiration and, sometimes, envy. To be called the “queenka” not only by one’s peers but across several academic years is a rare distinction—one that, according to Jang Hyun-sung, Jang Young-nam held effortlessly. He made it clear that her reputation wasn’t confined to a single class or department; it spanned “five to six years” worth of students, a testament to her impact on the campus community.
The conversation on Kim Joo-ha’s Day & Night wasn’t all about looks, though. It was also a window into the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists among artists who have grown up together in the demanding world of performing arts. Both Jang Hyun-sung and Jang Young-nam have carved out impressive careers on stage and screen, but their banter revealed a shared history that predates fame and accolades. Their willingness to poke fun at each other, to reminisce about awkward student days and fleeting campus crushes, offered viewers a rare, humanizing glimpse behind the curtain of celebrity.
What’s more, the episode served as a reminder of the enduring power of reputation and memory within the close-knit circles of the arts. Stories of Jang Young-nam’s beauty have clearly persisted long after graduation, passed down by word of mouth and now revived for a new generation by national television. The fact that even studio staff admitted to having heard the tales speaks to the way legends are made—and maintained—in the world of theater and film.
Jang Young-nam’s humility in the face of such praise was perhaps the most endearing part of the broadcast. She repeatedly downplayed her reputation, attributing it to the rose-colored glasses of youth. “It was just because I was young,” she said shyly, as reported by both Newsen and Seoul Shinmun. Her modesty struck a chord with viewers, many of whom took to social media to express admiration not just for her past beauty, but for her character and talent as an actress.
Meanwhile, the playful ribbing between the two actors extended to their impressions of each other’s campus personas. Jang Young-nam’s description of Jang Hyun-sung as a “calm” and “deliberately popular” student, always writing and donning a trench coat, added a layer of humor and relatability to the segment. It painted a picture of two individuals who, despite their later success, were once just students trying to find their place—sometimes through style, sometimes through substance, and often through a bit of both.
As the episode drew to a close, it was clear that the legacy of Jang Young-nam’s university days had been firmly cemented in the public imagination. The combination of firsthand testimony, visual evidence, and studio corroboration left little doubt: her reputation as the “Daehangno Lee Young-ae” was well-earned, even if she herself might wish for a little less attention on the subject.
In the end, what resonated most was not just the story of youthful beauty or campus legends, but the enduring bonds and playful honesty between two artists who have shared a journey from the halls of the Seoul Institute of the Arts to the spotlight of the national stage. Their story, as told on Kim Joo-ha’s Day & Night, is a reminder that behind every celebrated face is a history of friendships, memories, and moments that continue to shape them long after the applause fades.