Hwang Dong-joo Confesses His Ideal Type is Lee Young-ja on 'Old Encounters'

The premiere of KBS2's new variety show 'Old Encounters' aired on January 26, 2025, featuring Lee Young-ja, who expressed her excitement about participating in a dating program for the first time. She described it as a 'love program' and was surprised by comments from fellow cast members Song Eun-i and Kim Sook regarding her noticeable weight loss and elegant jewelry. Lee Young-ja playfully remarked that her earrings were responsible for her weight loss.

Kim Sook humorously suggested that Lee Young-ja was there to change her fate, calling her a 'prepared bride.' However, Lee Young-ja admitted that she had long forgotten the feeling of nervousness and questioned whether there could be any excitement left in her life. When asked about her dating history, she revealed that she had never been in a relationship, prompting Song Eun-i to wonder why she was hiding her romantic life, noting that Lee Young-ja was quite popular.

The show took a surprising turn when actor Hwang Dong-joo made a special appearance, openly declaring his admiration for Lee Young-ja and naming her as his ideal type. Hwang shared that he has been a fan of Lee Young-ja since before his debut and had only met her once on the program 'Hello,' where he had confessed his feelings for over 20 years. He expressed that Lee Young-ja looks most beautiful when she smiles. This marked their reunion after eight years.

Hwang Dong-joo introduced himself, mentioning that he has been in the industry for 30 years and expressed his excitement about the show, hoping to get to know Lee Young-ja better.

'Old Encounters' is a project that brings together single colleagues from the entertainment industry to rekindle past connections, airing every Sunday at 9:20 PM.