A Heartfelt Journey into Jang Jin-young’s Past
In a recent episode of KBS 2TV’s ‘New Release Pyeon Restaurant,’ Jang Jin-young shared intimate moments with her mother, offering a glimpse into her personal history and the journey that led her to become an actor. The show, which focuses on family traditions and food, provided a platform for Jang to reflect on her life, memories, and the people who shaped her path.
During the episode, Jang and her mother prepared dishes featuring saebi, a type of freshwater shrimp that holds a special place in their family’s culinary heritage. As they worked together, they naturally revisited old memories, revealing details about Jang’s transformation from a shy child to a successful actress. The conversation also touched on her unexpected relationship with Lee Jung-hyun, adding another layer to her story.
One of the most memorable moments occurred when Jang discovered her mother threading red peppers in the living room. Initially hesitant, she joked, “It doesn’t fit me,” but eventually helped her mother hang the peppers to dry. The lighthearted exchange was captured in photos, bringing laughter and warmth to the scene.
The pair then created a table filled with various saengbaengi dishes, including saengbaengtang, saengbaengjang, fried saengbaengi, and saengbaengi minarijeon. These ingredients have been part of Jang’s childhood meals, and her mother reminisced about their family’s grape orchard and the neighborhood’s playful comments about Jang growing up to be Miss Korea. Jang, however, laughed off the idea, saying, “Nope. I was tacky.”
As the episode progressed, Jang shared her high school graduation photo, highlighting her youthful innocence and beauty that remains unchanged over the years. A video of her winning the Chunhyang Contest in 2001 also surfaced, prompting admiration from those watching. However, Jang admitted she never imagined becoming an actor. She recounted how she passed the preliminary theater film and film examination at the recommendation of a teacher in middle school and later won the national Chunhyang contest through another teacher’s suggestion. This led to her career in broadcasting, including commercial work.
Her mother expressed surprise at seeing her introverted daughter take on such a public role. “I was wondering if I could do it because an introverted child became an actor, but he became a real actor,” she said. Jang herself recalled feeling scared and uncertain about her future in acting. “I wanted to run away, I wanted to quit,” she admitted, but ultimately continued, believing it was fate.
Jang also shared a touching moment from her high school days, where she met Lee Jung-hyun. She described the excitement of seeing her idol, recalling how a former student went crazy to see him. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you since then. It’s so amazing that my idol is in front of me,” she said. Lee Jung-hyun, surprised by the encounter, responded, “I remember.” Their happy interaction brought smiles to everyone present.
Through ‘Pyeon Restaurant,’ Jang offers a unique look into her life, blending humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt stories. The show not only highlights delicious food but also provides a platform for stars to share their authentic experiences. Fans are eager to see what other stories Jang will reveal in future episodes. The program airs every Friday at 8:30 p.m. on KBS 2TV.
