Kim Jin-woong's Mother Shows Interest in Hong Joo-yeon on 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears'

In the latest episode of KBS2's 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears,' which aired on March 30, 2025, Kim Jin-woong's mother expressed her interest in Hong Joo-yeon as a potential daughter-in-law. The episode showcased the daily life of fellow announcer Um Ji-in, who arrived early for a weekend live broadcast. During the show, Kim Jin-woong, who had come in early, was critiqued by Um Ji-in, who had previously mentored Hong Joo-yeon. After Kim revealed his sweaty nature by taking off his padded jacket, Um Ji-in humorously compared him to Jeon Hyun-moo, saying, "Are you starting to look like him with that chest hair?"

Following some feedback from previous broadcasts, Kim Jin-woong underwent makeup before going live. However, he struggled to stay awake during the monitoring session due to his early start. After the broadcast, Um Ji-in continued to provide feedback, but when Kim mentioned her dozing off, he faced more reprimands. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when Hong Joo-yeon entered with an unfamiliar woman, who turned out to be Kim Jin-woong's mother, surprising everyone.

Kim's mother, who referred to him as 'Daniel,' took charge of the situation. A former middle school English teacher, she displayed both elegance and a quirky sense of humor. Um Ji-in and Hong Joo-yeon playfully teased Kim Jin-woong, telling him to "Daniel, stop" or "Daniel, be quiet" when he got too animated.

The trio enjoyed a lunch prepared by Kim's mother, who seemed particularly attentive to Hong Joo-yeon, even offering her extra side dishes. When asked about her ideal daughter-in-law, she expressed a desire for someone kind-hearted, cultured, and cheerful, rather than focusing solely on educational background. Upon learning that Hong Joo-yeon was born in 1997, she remarked on her bright and cheerful demeanor, stating that she found her even more beautiful in person.

The episode also touched on a love triangle involving Hong Joo-yeon, with mentions of Jeon Hyun-moo, Nam Hyun-jong, and Kim Jin-woong vying for her affection. When Kim's mother asked who she thought was the best among them, Hong Joo-yeon replied, "Jin-woong sunbae is the best," prompting a pleased reaction from Jeon Hyun-moo.