In ‘Salim Nam’, Song Baek-kyung revealed that he regrets getting tattoos in the past.
On the broadcast of KBS2's entertainment program ‘Salim Nam Season 2’ on the 22nd, the daily life of Park Seo-jin and the second episode featuring the first protagonist of ‘Memory Salim Nam’, One Time (1TYM) Song Baek-kyung, was aired.
On this day, special guest Haewon from NMIXX appeared. Haewon, who is from Incheon where Park Seo-jin resides, shared her thoughts on Park Seo-jin's opening stage, saying, “I felt like I was watching my neighbor brother.” She also heated up the atmosphere by showcasing her new song ‘Know About Me’.
In the following VCR, Park Seo-jin prepared to fulfill his busking promise to celebrate ‘Salim Nam’ achieving a 7% viewership rating. He reached out to invite trot singer Lee Chan-won, who won the grand prize at the ‘2024 KBS Entertainment Awards’, for the busking. During a phone call, Lee Chan-won confirmed his participation, promising, “I will appear if the viewership exceeds 8%,” raising expectations. He also shared a heartwarming story about Park Seo-jin, saying, “My grandmother really likes you. She even prepared red ginseng for you, and I’m really grateful,” showcasing their close brotherly relationship.
Next, Park Seo-jin invited ‘Trot Prince’ Song Min-jun and ‘Trot Milk Guy’ Choi Soo-ho to his home for the busking. His younger sister Hyo-jung said, “I think it would be uncomfortable if I’m around,” and went into Park Seo-jin's room. Song Min-jun and Choi Soo-ho, who were looking forward to meeting Hyo-jung, were surprised to find her hiding in a tanning bed while exploring Park Seo-jin's house.
Afterward, Park Seo-jin took the initiative to cook for his two guests. Song Min-jun and Choi Soo-ho expressed their strong ambition to secure a fixed spot on ‘Salim Nam’, saying, “He can’t do housework at all,” in response to Park Seo-jin's unexpected cooking skills, while Park Seo-jin felt a sense of crisis and tried to keep the two in check, eliciting laughter. Ultimately, Park Seo-jin, putting his pride on the line for a fixed spot on ‘Salim Nam’, faced off in an arm wrestling match with Choi Soo-ho but ended up losing miserably. The three ‘trendy trot handsome stars’ showcased great chemistry from the start and hinted at an enthusiastic busking performance next week, building anticipation.
In the previous broadcast, Song Baek-kyung, who drew attention by revealing his life as a voice actor and restaurant owner, shared his intense past of striving to become a singer. Debuting with One Time in 1998, he received much love from the public for his overflowing talent and skills, stating, “I really wanted to be a singer, but the atmosphere was such that no one recognized me. I even ran away from home,” revealing that he put his studies aside to work part-time jobs like delivering newspapers and at gas stations while practicing composing in his spare time.
During this time, he coincidentally met Yang Hyun-suk, known as the ‘father of first-generation hip-hop idols’, but it wasn’t easy to become a singer from the start. Song Baek-kyung recalled, “I think I wasn’t to his liking. (Yang Hyun-suk) kept rejecting me in auditions. But I didn’t want to miss my chance with him. I cleaned the practice room and created songs in the hip-hop genre that he liked to keep challenging myself. That’s how I seized the opportunity and debuted,” reminiscing about his past as a ‘genius of effort’.
Now running a restaurant with his mother, Song Baek-kyung showcased their chemistry as they bickered over his mother’s frugality. After losing her husband at 36, his mother has worked in the restaurant business for over 30 years to raise two children, evoking emotions in viewers as she recalled the tough times that instilled a spirit of thrift in her.
As a father, breadwinner, voice actor, and restaurant owner leading a busy life, Song Baek-kyung confessed that he regrets the tattoos he got in the past. While working in front of a gas stove wearing long sleeves to endure the heat, he said, “There’s a past I want to hide on my left arm. After becoming a dad, I don’t want to show it anymore. I thought I would live as a singer for my whole life when I didn’t have a family.” MC Eun Ji-won, who was watching, also agreed, saying, “I have tattoos on my body too, and I regret them.”
Additionally, Song Baek-kyung revealed for the first time an item he has cherished for about 20 years since his One Time days. Showing his feet wearing toe socks, he said, “I’m a toe sock evangelist. Once you wear them, you can’t go back to regular socks,” expressing his unique affection.
As the day came to a close and Song Baek-kyung's mother was tidying up the restaurant, she sent her son home first. She said, “As a mother, I’m sending him home early so he can rest a little. It’s hard to close up alone, but when I work with my son, I forget about it,” smiling. She then left a video message for her son, saying, “I don’t know how long I can help, but let’s work hard together. I love you.” Song Baek-kyung also vowed, “I will live the rest of my life diligently for our family.”
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
