Lee Seung Gi reunites with Brilliant Legacy co-star Han Hyo Joo in the recent episode of Hometown Flex!
What’s more? Lauded actor Lee Beom Soo also joined the travel fun representing Korean stars who hailed in the city of Cheongju just like Han Hyo Joo.
Hometown Flex takes the concept of how people raised in Seoul acquaint themselves in the hometown of the projected guests for the show. Cha Tae Hyun and Lee Seung Gi will visit the hometown of the invited guest to experience the best of what the region can offer.
Promising unparalleled amusement, the show hints that the places, experiences and local delicacies picked by local celebrities will highlight memories from the guest that would incite laughter.
Hometown Flex Episode Recaps: Busan Part 1 | Busan Part 2
abbyinhallyuland watches Hometown Flex on Viu
Charming Cheongju
For the show’s third stop, the team visits the South Korean city known for its rich culture. Together with Han Hyo Joo and Lee Beom Soo, the Seoul bumpkins set forth to explore some of the best spots in the neighborhood.
Meeting at a local bus station, Han and Lee had a quick chat as they settle for the itinerary that day. Both denounces having pronounced local accent. They also share how they need continuous coaxing when setting up a plan with them. Enlightening Seung Gi, he shared a series of conversation with Hyo Joo highlighting a trait common to Cheongju locals.
Seollangtang From When Beom Soo Was Young
One of the charms of Hometown Flex is how it taps on nostalgic memories of the featured guest. Hence, a visit from restaurants from their memories is often highlighted.
For the first meal, the team head to a restaurant Lee Beom Soo frequented with his parents when he was young. It has been running for 54 years, and the owner who took after his mother’s business, coincidentally studied at the same high school as Beom Soo.
Perked on how the broth of Seollangtang has been richly concocted for 55 years, the Seoul villagers and Cheongju guest stars are up for the fan sign challenge to win the meal.
Despite the gregarious vibe of Seung Gi, Beom Soo and Tae Hyun, they are no match against the charms of Hyo Joo. Adorably switching her charms to fit in the fan who will get the celebrity’s autograph, she earned quite a number of votes with her dazzling smile.
Best Place To Relax: Jungang Park
Just like any other South Korea cities, Cheongju also takes pride of Jungang Park. A key destination for all ages to enjoy picnics and quiet moments.
They marvel at the majestic 900+ year old Apgaksu tree then move to a pavilion which holds a fond memory for Beom Soo.
Sharing how he was praised for an artwork he did in grade school, the pavilion drawing of young Beom Soo captured the beauty of the building. He also narrated how he used to be in an art club and gets jealous of children playing because he had to draw.
Before heading to Iron Flagpole inside the park, they also munch some hotteok from a local favorite store, Jjol-jjol.
The Cheongju stars definitely know their history and has provided insightful information to the delight of Seoul hillbillies. Notably, Hyo Joo can even recall dates that it felt like watching a history show with the Cheongju guest celebrities.
While taking a quick break because of the rain, they talk about the Iron Flagpole, a structure which traces its history to Goryeo era. Quipping how the same “let’s meet at Iron Flagpole” expression might have been used by people during that period, the actors laugh at the thought of people still saying it at the present time.
Creative Bonding Time At National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts
As a city of rich culture and creativity, Hyo Joo picks a museum visit to their itinerary. They visit the vast offering of National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts. Housing quite a big number of art pieces, the group enjoy the featured works of art.
Throwing another game, the team of four are asked to draw a portrait of each other. Seung Gi drawing Hyo Joo became the winner of the online popularity vote.
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Cheongju stars visit their old neighborhood
Beom Soo and Hyo Joo take the Seoul hillbillies to a trip to their old neighborhoods. Inescapably, fond memories pour out for both of them as wistful moments from the past rush to their thoughts.
Earlier, Beom Soo relayed how he moved to Seoul carrying two luggage and his father was asleep when he left that day. Later, he learned from his mother how his father felt sad about him moving.
Upon reaching the location of their old house, he remarked how his parents being healthy, happy and full of energy is a memory that he cherished most. Missing his parents, he miss them even more while standing at that place. “I miss the old them,” Beom Soo said with tears welling in his eyes.
In a post-shoot revealed, Beom Soo visits their old place before going back to Seoul. “I feel like my parents would come out here,” he said. Mentioning his father passed away while his mother is in Seoul, his heartfelt yearning to bring back the old times leaves a heartwarming feel.
Hyo Joo & Seung Gi’s old neighborhood
Meanwhile, Hyo Joo together with Seung Gi, stroll at their old neighborhood. It was revealed that Seung Gi lived for two years at the same neighborhood as Hyo Joo. Ecstatic to see the old local mart, she continues to bask on her old memories.
She tells Seung Gi how she used to walk over a hill to go to school when she was young. Reaching the front of the apartment building she mumbled how everything look and felt the same. They head to visit the playground young Hyo Joo used to play around. Noticing the touching moment, Seung Gi asks about how she feels. “I’m very close to crying,” Hyo Joo responded.
Further narrating her typical busy school girl life back then, Seung Gi is surprised how he found time to become an actress. Hyo Joo explains how she joined a modeling contest for fun, and that paved the way for her to pursue her dreams.
Feeling nostalgic, she added how at that time, she thought she was only chasing her dreams and never thought of moving out. Looking back, she conveyed how she regret not being able to pay gratitude to the neighborhood which raised her fortitude as a person.
The two friends head to Seung Gi’s apartment and the latter taps on the memories he had of the neighborhood. Wistfully mentioning about how their old neighborhood saw their youth, those times when they haven’t experienced hardships and pains, fascinated Seung Gi.
Cheongju Stop Part 2
More fun and reminiscing are in store for viewers in the second part of the Cheongju episode of Hometown Flex on August 16 via tvN.
Additionally, child actor Kim Kang Hoon (When the Camellia Blooms) will also appear in the show.
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Photos: Screencaps from Viu
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