On March 29, 2026, viewers across South Korea tuned in to SBS’s long-running variety show My Ugly Duckling (미운 우리 새끼, often shortened to '미우새'), only to be greeted by a whirlwind of reunions, revelations, and riotous laughter. The episode, which aired at 9 PM KST, celebrated both the return of familiar faces and the arrival of new ones, all while serving up its trademark blend of humor and heartfelt moments.
The night’s festivities kicked off with a special spring outing, bringing together the so-called 'Old 미우새'—Tak Jae-hoon, Lim Won-hee, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Choi Jin-hyuk—and the fresh-faced 'New 미우새' members Yoon Hyun-min, Yoon Si-yoon, and Jo Jin-se. The generational clash was immediate and hilarious. According to TV리포트, the newcomers were quickly ribbed for seeming too well-adjusted for a show built around the woes (and joys) of mothers with grown sons. "They’re too normal to be on 미우새," one veteran quipped, while another added, "If you’re happy, you don’t belong here!"
But the real fireworks started with the unexpected return of broadcaster Lee Sang-min, who had left the show after remarrying a non-celebrity ten years his junior in April 2025. Lee, freshly back from marital bliss, introduced himself with a deep bow: "I’m Lee Sang-min, the newly joined youngest member, starting a new life." The reaction was immediate and sharp. As reported by 스포츠한국 and Newsen, Tak Jae-hoon shot back, "What nerve do you have coming here?" Lim Won-hee piled on, referencing the cancellation of their previous show, Dolsing Four Men, after Lee’s remarriage: "You ruined a program, and now you show up here?" Heo Kyung-hwan jokingly asked if Lee had gotten divorced, to which Lee simply replied that he was, in fact, happy. Tak Jae-hoon then declared with mock severity, "If you’re happy, you don’t belong on 미우새. You can leave now!" The studio erupted with laughter, but Lee stayed put, officially joining as the show’s new youngest member.
The episode didn’t stop at comedic banter. In one of the night’s most talked-about segments, Tak Jae-hoon’s friends gathered to celebrate his “D-500” countdown to his 60th birthday—a significant milestone in Korean culture. The party took a mystical turn with the arrival of a fortune-telling expert, who analyzed Tak Jae-hoon’s life graph based on his birth date. The expert’s predictions, according to 엑스포츠뉴스 and 스타투데이, were nothing short of dramatic: Tak Jae-hoon’s lifespan was forecast at 98 years, and his “best period” was set to begin in 2026 and 2027, marking the opening of a major fortune cycle. "From this point onward, your great fortune begins," the expert announced, drawing gasps and laughter from the assembled guests.
The fortune-teller delved into Tak Jae-hoon’s career arc as well, noting, "Before age 45 was a good period, but from your 40s to 50s, you’ve been working more independently, moving away from collaborations." The prediction that truly caught everyone’s attention, however, was about Tak Jae-hoon’s financial future. "From age 65 onward, you’ll see a significant increase in wealth, including inheritance or gifts," the expert stated. This immediately drew references to Tak Jae-hoon’s father’s thriving concrete business, which reportedly boasts annual sales of 18 billion KRW (about $13 million USD). When the expert added, "At age 75, this flow will continue in earnest," Tak Jae-hoon couldn’t resist joking, "Is there a way to get that inheritance a bit earlier?" The room burst into laughter at his frankness.
Perhaps the most surprising twist was the comparison of Tak Jae-hoon’s fortune to that of K-pop superstar G-Dragon. The expert explained, "You and G-Dragon have similar fortunes. Both started with collaboration, then moved toward independent paths. In fact, you’re ahead of G-Dragon in this regard." The comparison delighted Tak Jae-hoon, who seemed to revel in the idea that his life trajectory paralleled that of one of Korea’s biggest icons.
Fortune-telling didn’t stop with Tak Jae-hoon. The expert also offered readings for other cast members. Heo Kyung-hwan, for instance, was told that his romantic luck would peak in 2026, with the best chance for marriage arriving within the next three years. Choi Jin-hyuk, meanwhile, was predicted to enjoy a career high from 2024 to 2028, though he was warned about the risk of being scammed. The studio’s so-called “Mother Avengers”—the panel of mothers who comment on their sons’ antics—reacted with a mix of laughter and tears, underscoring the emotional rollercoaster that 미우새 consistently delivers.
The episode’s variety didn’t end there. In another segment, the girl group S.E.A (씨야) reunited on the show to mark their 20th anniversary. Nam Gyu-ri, Kim Yeon-ji, and Lee Bo-ram reminisced about their early days, recalling the lack of professional support and the rumors that swirled around their breakup. Nam Gyu-ri expressed regret at not having better mentors during their youth, saying, "If only we’d had good adults around us, even just one, we could have become an even greater group." Their heartfelt comments struck a chord with viewers, many of whom remembered S.E.A’s rise and fall in the competitive K-pop industry.
Back with the main cast, the generational rivalry between 'Old 미우새' and 'New 미우새' took center stage in a competitive quiz featuring Korean idioms and proverbs. The stakes? A playful, oversized hammer for wrong answers, which led to a parade of wild guesses and raucous punishments. The quiz, as described by TV리포트, turned into a comedic highlight, with both teams vying for pride and the right to call themselves the true heirs to 미우새’s legacy.
In a final twist, Choi Hong-man, the towering former kickboxer, appeared as a new member of the 'New 미우새', shocking the other cast members and adding yet another layer to the show’s ever-evolving family dynamic.
Week after week, My Ugly Duckling manages to blend slapstick comedy, poignant confessions, and a dash of the supernatural, all while reflecting the changing face of Korean celebrity life. With fortunes foretold, old wounds reopened, and new bonds forged, this latest episode proved that even after years on air, 미우새 still knows how to keep its audience guessing—and laughing—all the way to the end credits.