Seo Ye-ji Makes Long-Awaited Return to Variety Shows After 8 Years

On March 30, 2025, actress Seo Ye-ji made her long-awaited return to variety shows after an eight-year hiatus, appearing as a guest on TV CHOSUN's 'Chef Heo Young-man's Baekban Journey'. During the episode, she visited Wonju, Gangwon Province, a location familiar to her from the filming of the drama 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay'. Seo remarked, "We filmed 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' in Gangwon Province, and I've shot in many places like this, which surprisingly have a lot of great restaurants."

The episode featured Seo and the host, Heo Young-man, enjoying local delicacies such as potato pancakes and 감자옹심이 (potato dumplings). Reflecting on her career, Seo shared that she debuted in the sitcom 'Potato Star 2013QR3' without any formal acting training, having been discovered by renowned director Kim Byung-wook.

When asked about her drinking habits, Seo admitted, "I don't particularly enjoy it, but I can drink well," adding humorously that her drinking capacity leads to her waking up the next day as if it were already morning.

Seo also revealed her passion for cooking, which she started during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. She mentioned preparing meals for herself and her manager, including a vegan pumpkin cake for her manager's birthday.

The duo then visited a 막국수 (cold buckwheat noodles) restaurant, where Seo noted that she had only tried the dish once in Gangwon Province and couldn't remember the taste due to fatigue. She expressed that today was the first time she could leisurely enjoy the area after months of filming.

With 12 years in the industry and 22 projects under her belt, Seo reflected on her tendency to take on darker roles, often portraying characters driven by revenge due to their traumatic pasts. She admitted that this has caused some stress, as people sometimes associate her on-screen persona with her real-life character, making social interactions challenging.

The episode concluded with Seo and Heo enjoying grilled pork belly with gochujang over charcoal. When asked if she ever felt frustrated while acting, Seo acknowledged that it happens often but emphasized the importance of accepting and moving past those feelings. She also shared that misunderstandings about her character can lead to significant stress over time, to which Heo advised her to avoid reading comments online.

Additionally, Seo Ye-ji premiered her cover dance of Jennie's 'Mantra' during the episode, marking its first broadcast appearance.