Lee Chan-won's Entire Fortune Rides on 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret'

Lee Chan-won's entire fortune is at stake with the success of the new KBS2 variety show, 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret' (셀럽병사의 비밀). This groundbreaking program is the first of its kind in South Korea, combining medical storytelling with the intriguing lives and deaths of celebrities. It aims to present complex medical knowledge through the captivating narratives of famous figures who have passed away.

While many shows have explored the lives of celebrities, 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret' stands out by intertwining medical themes with storytelling. Director Choi Jin-young confidently states, "This is the first medical storytelling program in South Korea. No other show has combined medicine, history, and personal stories in such a way. Even with similar themes, we delve into the lives of these individuals, offering a human perspective while imparting medical knowledge and historical context."

MCs Jang Do-yeon and Lee Chan-won, who have previously hosted shows focused on personal stories, agree that this program is unique. Lee Chan-won remarked, "We are covering lives that have never been addressed before. While we can easily access information about these figures, the revelations about their lives will likely surprise many viewers."

Aiming to become a long-running program like KBS's flagship show 'The Secret of Life and Death' (생로병사의 비밀), 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret' has already sparked discussions about viewer ratings. When asked about his rating pledge, Lee Chan-won humorously stated, "If the ratings exceed 80%, I will donate 500 billion won." His unrealistic promise elicited laughter, and he added, "The writer suggested I donate my entire fortune if the ratings surpass 20%, but I felt that would invite some hidden forces trying to make me give away my wealth."

Jang Do-yeon chimed in, noting the current challenges in achieving high ratings, saying, "These days, it's tough to get good ratings. Since it's hard for viewers to catch the live broadcast, if we exceed 7%, I will visit a celebrity soldier, as the program's title suggests." Lee Chan-won then proposed a more realistic goal, stating, "If we reach over 4%, I will treat all the staff to a beef dinner." Jang Do-yeon agreed to share the cost.

Mi-yeon suggested that since they are also celebrities, a special episode exploring their lives could be interesting. This idea led to PD Choi Jin-young mentioning a health check-up event. The MCs supported this, promising, "If we exceed 3%, we will hold a health check-up event for our viewers."

'Celebrity Soldier's Secret' is set to premiere on December 10 at 8:30 PM KST.