Joo Byeong-jin Opens Up About His Childhood on 'Can We Love Now?'

In the latest episode of tvN's 'Can We Love Now?' which aired on January 13, 2025, Joo Byeong-jin shared a heartfelt revelation about his childhood. During a meal with his date, he cautiously broached the topic of their past experiences, particularly focusing on the struggles faced by his date while adapting to life in Australia. She recounted a shocking incident of racial discrimination, stating, "I was hit on the calf by a cockroach thrown at me. The cockroaches in Australia are enormous, and my startled reaction resembled the way a cockroach looks when it dies."

She expressed her pride in how South Korea has become a country to be proud of through K-pop, adding, "I had fewer opportunities to eat Korean food in Australia, and I missed kimchi so much that I made it with cabbage. I longed for the unique taste that can only be found in Korea."

Joo Byeong-jin remarked, "I wanted to know more about the human side of Shin Hye-sun, and her willingness to share her childhood stories allowed for a deeper conversation."

When asked about his own childhood, Joo Byeong-jin candidly admitted, "I lived with a sense of inferiority. Children without fathers often felt intimidated and were bullied." He shared that he rebelled fiercely to alleviate his mother's worries, stating, "That sense of inferiority became a fundamental part of my life. So, not all bad environments are entirely negative." His date was visibly moved, nearly brought to tears.

He also reminisced about his father, recalling, "I remember my father bringing home a rotisserie chicken when he came back. It was a rare occurrence for him to share such moments with me."