'Salim Nam' has recorded the highest viewership rating for Saturday entertainment for 6 consecutive weeks.
In the episode aired on the 22nd, KBS 2TV's 'Salim Nam 2' featured Park Seo-jin's daily life and the second episode of the first protagonist of 'Memory Salim Nam', Song Baek-kyung from 1TYM. The viewership rating recorded 6.2% nationwide according to Nielsen Korea, with the scene of Song Min-jun and Choi Soo-ho exploring Park Seo-jin's house reaching a peak rating of 7.9%.
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 oppa." She also heated up the atmosphere by showcasing her new song 'KNOW ABOUT ME' stage.
In the following VCR, Park Seo-jin began preparations to fulfill his promise of a busking event to celebrate 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', and during a phone call, Lee Chan-won promised, "I will appear if the viewership exceeds 8%," raising expectations. Lee Chan-won also shared a heartwarming story about Park Seo-jin, saying, "My grandmother really likes him. She even takes care of him with ginseng, and I'm really grateful," showcasing their close brotherly relationship.
Next, Park Seo-jin invited 'Trot Prince' Song Min-jun and 'Trot Milk Man' Choi Soo-ho to his home for the busking. His younger sister Hyo-jung said, "I think it would be uncomfortable if I stay with you," 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 the 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 for 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, creating laughter. Ultimately, Park Seo-jin, putting his pride on the line for 'Salim Nam', had an arm wrestling match with Choi Soo-ho but ended up losing miserably. The three 'trendy trot handsome stars' who showed great chemistry from the start hinted at an enthusiastic busking stage for the next week, raising anticipation.
In the previous broadcast, Song Baek-kyung, who transformed into a voice actor and restaurant owner, drew attention by revealing his past struggles to become a singer. Debuting with 1TYM in 1998, Song Baek-kyung, who received much love for his overflowing talent and skills, shared, "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 delivering newspapers and at gas stations while practicing composing in his spare time.
During this time, he coincidentally met Yang Hyun-seok, the 'father of first-generation hip-hop idols', but it wasn't easy to become a singer from the start. Song Baek-kyung said, "I think I wasn't appealing to him. (Yang Hyun-seok) kept eliminating me in auditions. But I didn't want to miss the opportunity with Yang Hyun-seok. I cleaned the practice room and made 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 store with his mother, Song Baek-kyung showcased his chemistry with his frugal mother, who has been working in the restaurant business for over 30 years to raise two children after losing her husband at the age of 36. She recalled the difficult times that instilled a sense of thriftiness in her, touching the hearts of viewers.
As a father, breadwinner, voice actor, and restaurant owner, Song Baek-kyung also revealed his regrets about tattoos he got in the past. While working in long sleeves and enduring the heat in front of a gas stove, he confessed, "I have a past I want to hide on my left arm. I don't want to show it anymore after becoming a father. 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, an item that Song Baek-kyung has cherished for about 20 years since his 1TYM days was revealed for the first time. Showing his feet wearing toe socks, he expressed, "I am a toe sock evangelist. Once you wear them, you can't go back to regular socks," showing his unique affection.
As the day came to an end and Song Baek-kyung's mother was tidying up the restaurant, she sent her son home first. She said, "As a mother, I want to let my son rest a little, so I send him home early. 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 my remaining life diligently for our family."
