Park Na-rae's Heartfelt Kimchi Journey on I Live Alone

In the latest episode of MBC's I Live Alone (나 혼자 산다), Park Na-rae, with the help of the 'Kimjang Fairy' Jeong Jae-hyung, embarked on an 8-hour journey to recreate her grandmother's beloved kimchi. The episode aired on December 13, showcasing Park's heartfelt attempt to capture the essence of her grandmother's cooking.

According to Nielsen Korea, the show achieved a household rating of 7.4% in the metropolitan area, making it the top-rated program in its time slot and the highest-rated variety show on Fridays. The 2049 demographic rating was 3.4%, also ranking first in its time slot.

One of the most memorable moments came when Park Na-rae repeatedly adjusted the kimchi seasoning in a bid to replicate her grandmother's unique flavor (23:44-23:45). Her dedication, alongside Jeong Jae-hyung's supportive presence, resonated with viewers, pushing the ratings to a peak of 9.4%.

During the episode, Park Na-rae expressed her motivation for making kimchi, stating, "Since my grandfather is no longer with us and my grandmother is unwell, I need to take on the responsibility of making kimchi myself."

Dressed in traditional 'kimjang' attire, Park and Jeong began by preparing fresh ingredients, including raw mackerel, and various seasoning components. They spent a total of six hours blending the ingredients to achieve the desired taste reminiscent of her grandmother's kimchi.

Jeong Jae-hyung, fully immersed in the process, likened his focus to playing the piano, and after eight hours of hard work, they successfully produced 80 portions of kimchi. The duo concluded their 'kimjang party' by preparing a meal for each other, adding a warm touch to the occasion. Park also shared the kimchi with the Rainbow members in the studio, further spreading the warmth.

Reflecting on her experience, Park Na-rae remarked, "I realize how fortunate I have been to receive such precious gifts. I never paid for kimchi before, and I feel so sorry for that." She emphasized the importance of sharing meals and stories, stating, "Sharing food is a way to build virtue. This is the most I can give."

Next week, the show will feature a special segment titled 'Expectations for Living Alone' with professional baseball player Kwak Do-kyu and a long-awaited trip to Hong Kong by Go Seung-hwan after 23 years, raising anticipation among fans.