On March 28, 2026, the popular MBN talk show Kim Ju-ha’s Day & Night welcomed two of South Korea’s most seasoned actors, Jang Hyun-sung and Jang Young-nam, for a revealing and heartfelt conversation that spanned decades of friendship, memorable roles, and personal milestones. The episode, which aired at 9:40 p.m., pulled back the curtain on the actors’ journeys—both onstage and off—offering viewers a rare blend of laughter, candor, and nostalgia.
From the outset, the chemistry between Jang Hyun-sung and Jang Young-nam was palpable. As reported by OSEN, the two are not just colleagues but alumni of the Seoul Institute of the Arts, where their paths first crossed as upperclassman and underclassman. Their shared history, now spanning over 30 years, set the tone for an evening of reminiscence and mutual respect. Jang Hyun-sung recounted, “We endured tough times together for a long while,” a sentiment echoed by Jang Young-nam as she reflected on the formative influence of their mentor, the veteran actor Shin Goo. “Shin Goo is my tear button,” she confessed, explaining how his passion often moved her to tears and self-reflection during rehearsals.
The conversation soon shifted to the actors’ professional highlights, with a particular focus on the box office juggernaut The Man Who Lives with the King (Wang-gwa Saneun Namja), which recently surpassed 15 million viewers—a staggering feat in Korean cinema. Jang Hyun-sung, who played a memorable role in the film, shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes about his infamous “one-minute death scene.” He recalled, with a laugh, how director Jang Hang-jun called him unexpectedly to the set, only for him to realize his character’s fate upon seeing a human-shaped dummy. “When I saw the dummy, I knew I was done for,” he joked, adding that the torture scenes were so grueling he once quipped, “If this movie doesn’t do well, I won’t let it go.”
Jang Young-nam, meanwhile, opened up about the unique challenges of playing death scenes. She admitted that her eyes kept moving during takes, making it difficult to convincingly portray lifelessness. For a particularly nerve-wracking reshoot, she took half a sleeping pill to steady her nerves. “I managed to get through the scene, but apparently, I talked in my sleep in the middle of filming,” she said, drawing laughter from the studio, as reported by TopStarNews.
But perhaps the most touching moments came as the actors reflected on their roles as family members—both on screen and in real life. Jang Young-nam, who has played a mother nearly 30 times throughout her career, was asked which “children” left the deepest impression. Without hesitation, she named Park Bo-gum and Park Bo-young. “They’re just so beautiful and kind,” she said, her affection evident. “They’re such wonderful people, so earnest and gentle.” These comments, widely cited by Newsen and OSEN, resonated with fans familiar with the warmth and sincerity both actors bring to their roles.
Her experiences as an on-screen mother extended to other leading stars as well. She recalled working with Hwang Jung-min on the film International Market, where he, despite being older and more experienced, called her “mother” on set to help both of them immerse in their roles. “At first, he probably didn’t see me as a mother figure,” Jang Young-nam mused. “But every time he saw me on set, he’d call out, ‘Mother!’ in a big voice. It really helped me get into character, and I was grateful for it.”
The episode also delved into the actors’ vulnerabilities and insecurities. Jang Young-nam candidly discussed her early struggles with her deep voice, recalling a time when audience surveys criticized her vocal tone. “Someone wrote, ‘That actress’s voice is uncomfortable to listen to,’” she shared, admitting it gave her a complex. Host Kim Ju-ha responded with empathy, offering solidarity and a supportive handshake, highlighting the show’s trademark warmth.
Amidst the professional talk, the conversation took a personal turn as both actors shared stories from their private lives. Jang Hyun-sung revealed that his wife, once a junior at school, didn’t initially catch his eye. It was only after noticing the attention she received from other male students—and a memorable moment at a food stall, where she quietly deboned fish for him—that he realized his feelings. “That’s when I fell for her,” he said, the memory still fresh. Jang Young-nam, for her part, recounted the romantic confession of her husband, a fellow theater troupe member seven years her junior. On the last night of a play, he handed her a letter expressing, “I’m sorry for liking you.” The unexpected honesty, she said, changed the course of their relationship.
Family traditions in the arts also came to the fore. Jang Hyun-sung spoke about his father’s initial opposition to his acting ambitions, famously telling him, “If you’re going to act, then remove yourself from the family register.” The twist? His father had once been a theater actor himself. Now, Jang Hyun-sung’s own son is following in his footsteps as part of his school’s drama club. “It’s in our DNA, I guess,” he remarked, noting that he often enjoys drinks with his now-adult sons, describing their bond as “more like friends.”
The show concluded on a note of gratitude, with both guests thanking the three MCs of Day & Night for their warm welcome and the opportunity to share their stories. The episode was praised by viewers for its mix of humor, sincerity, and behind-the-scenes revelations. Comments poured in online, with fans hailing the actors as “masters of both acting and talk shows” and expressing newfound admiration for their off-screen personalities.
As the curtain fell on this memorable broadcast, it was clear that the enduring appeal of Jang Hyun-sung and Jang Young-nam lies not just in their talent, but in their openness, humility, and ability to connect—whether through a poignant death scene, a motherly embrace, or a simple, heartfelt story from years gone by.