Hometown Flex: Episode 06 in Cheongju Recap
On this episode of Hometown Flex, natives Lee Beom Soo and Han Hyo Joo continues to take Cha Tae Hyun and Lee Seung Gi on a nostalgic tour of Cheongju. A beautiful city with a deep-rooted history and culture.
Explore the Historical Beauty of Cheongju on Hometown Flex
After previously splitting up to visit Lee Beom Soo and Han Hyo Joo's old childhood homes, the cast members get together again for dinner. Seung Gi reveals how much Hyo Joo had cried earlier, continuing to tease and make fun of her like a close friend always does. Beom Soo says he also felt really emotional and cried on the inside. Cannot help but to feel sentimental as it has been a long time since they have returned home.
The restaurant pick is one that specializes in frozen pork belly seasoned bulgogi and is a place that Hyo Joo often dined at with her family when she was young.
Han Hyo Joo's Local Food: Pork Bulgogi at BAEKRO SIKDANG 백로식당율량점
Hyo Joo's childhood best friends make a special appearance to join her on the show. They have known each other since middle school and call themselves the "Seven Taeng." After brief self-introductions, the girls begin to spill the tea on Hyo Joo. They share how college guys would mistake her for being older, hitting on her to try to ask her out on dates. She did look like a college student even back then, very tall and beautiful.
The topic of local stereotypes also enters the conversation as Hyo Joo's friends confirms by saying "we never give definite answers here in Cheongju!" It was the main topic of discussion during the opening segment (shown on the previous episode) describing the way Cheongju people are. Tae Hyun laughs and shakes his head as he still does not understand why they are this way.
In order to eat the sweet and spicy pork belly bulgogi, the members have to battle it out first! The men will team up to compete against Hyo Joo's team "Seven Taeng" on the "First Come, First Served Singing Contest." The rules of the game is to race to grab the spoon on the table, and sing lines from a song containing the word given out by the PD. Three members of a team have to sing a song correctly to win the round. And the first team to win four rounds gets the dinner! Losing team will not get to eat at the restaurant but Hyo Joo's friends are exempt. It is really just a battle between Hyo Joo versus the guys.
The game is getting intense as the race is tight. For Round 5, the category is "fruit." Hyo Joo strikes first again and quickly sings a correct song. Beom Soo starts to sing another oldie that nobody knows but after a quick fact check by production, the song is indeed a legit one. He happily continues singing the song and "Seoul" suddenly pops up in the lyrics. Everyone bursts into laughter because of his hilarious stunned reaction (it was the keyword for Round 3). Tae Hyun completes the round for the guys team and they now lead with a score of 3:2.
Hyo Joo and the girls easily takes over in Round 6 for the keyword "ocean" and the score is tied again at 3:3. Final round will determine who wins and the category is "flower." The match is neck and neck after each team sings one correct song. Seung Gi grabs the spoon next and begins to sing "Jasmine Flower" drawing attention with his lovely voice. He ends up practically singing the entire song but jasmine flower actually never comes out in the lyrics. The girls have been patiently waiting for their chance and easily completes the round. Team "Seven Taeng" wins!
The girls happily celebrate their victory with some group selfies as the delicious pork belly bulgogi is cooking down at the table. Meanwhile, the guys decide to go pick up instant ramen at the nearby convenience store.
The guys return to the delicious aroma of spicy pork bulgogi that has filled the entire restaurant. Though they have their own delicious dinner spread of instant ramen, fried chicken, and sausages, they cannot take their eyes off the bulgogi. The sight of the pork belly lettuce wraps with seasoned green onions is making them drool.
Allowed by the production team, Hyo Joo makes a lettuce wrap and offers it to Beom Soo so that he can get a bite of the pork bulgogi. She makes another one for Tae Hyun but he declines as he knows Beom Soo is eyeing it after getting the initial taste. Everyone laughs as the two go back and forth insisting the other person take the wrap. Tae Hyun has properly learned the Cheongju way, shows sincerity and keeps asking until Beom Soo finally accepts.
The restaurant staff enters to prepare the highlight of meal, fried rice! Kimchi and rice is added to the leftover pork, stir-fried nicely, and topped with cheese. Everyone is fixated and watches with anticipation. The fried rice does not disappoint as everyone takes a bite, impressed with how delicious it is. Hyo Joo is satisfied with the meal and says everything tastes exactly like it did in the past.
Hyo Joo thanks her friends for coming from all over to participate today making this hometown visit so much more special. As they say their goodbyes, the eventful first day in Cheongju comes to an end.
Day 2 in Cheongju Begins with Morning Coffee
Morning has arrived with beautiful clear blue skies today! Hyo Joo suggests grabbing coffees first to help everyone wake up. On the way to the cafe, Seung Gi talks about Beom Soo being one of the best comedic actors. Tae Hyun says his favorite is Beom Soo's cameo scene as the taxi driver in the movie 200 Pounds Beauty. They burst out in laughter as they recall the image of Beom Soo's face from that memorable scene. Seung Gi reveals that he would like to try acting in a comedy one day and admires how Beom Soo can make a short scene incredibly funny.
Shortly after, they arrive at the cafe street within Suamgol Village. The hillside town was first established when war refugees settled down in the area. It is now a popular tourist destination with beautifully painted murals around the village. The cafes that line the street offer breathtaking rooftop views of the city. Television dramas such as Bread, Love and Dreams and Glory Jane were filmed on location here.
Han Hyo Joo's Local Pick: FULLMOON CAFE 풀문 at Suamgol Village
The cafe is beautifully lined with glass on all sides with sweeping views of downtown Cheongju. Hyo Joo places an order for a "tteu-a" (뜨아), Korean slang for a hot americano. Tae Hyun and Beom Soo laugh at themselves as they are the only ones who have not heard of the slang due to the generation gap. In addition to coffee, they also order the cheesecake and the cafe specialty cheese bingsu.
When asked how he is feeling for day 2, Beom Soo mentions how he was not able to sleep well prior to coming on the show. He worried about whether or not he can do well or show the best of his hometown. But last night, he fell asleep right away. Hyo Joo agrees saying she slept so well. Though yesterday was tiring, she feels energized as it was the first time in a while that she was able to laugh so much. Today's plan is to visit a place where the students in Cheongju will all go to for picnics, the historical site Sangdang Sanseong Fortress.
Beom Soo & Hyo Joo's Local Attraction: Sangdang Sanseong Fortress
The Sangdang Sanseong is a stone fortress surrounding the slopes of Uamsan built in the past to protect against enemy invasions coming from the west. As the fortress has not suffered a lot of damage over the years, the main structure remains intact and still looks the same. It has since been restored beautifully to serve as a resting place for the citizens of Cheongju to enjoy.
After some group photos, Hyo Joo begins to give a brief historical overview of the fortress. It was once an earthen fortress speculated to have been built during the Baekje Period, named after the town Sangdang-hyun at the time. In year 1596, it was restored by King Seonjo of Joseon after the Japanese invasion of Korea. It was reconstructed later in 1716 as the present day stone fortress by her "husband" King Sukjong of Joseon (reference to her role as King Sukjong's consort in the popular historical drama Dong Yi).
They continue to walk up the path to the Gongnammun, the South Gate of Sandang Sanseong Fortress. Admiring the view of the vast fields from atop the gate, Seung Gi wonders what people in the past would think about as they stare out. Hyo Joo thinks people were able to focus on their own lives in a much simpler way back then. Tae Hyun agrees and wishes he can do the same as life would be less stressful that way.
The PD tells them that another famous celebrity from Cheongju is waiting for them down at the small village within the fortress walls. A reservation has been made at the celeb's favorite restaurant. As they make their way down, it looks like a traditional hanok village where cozy restaurants now line the areas next to the small lake. They start to make guesses as to who the surprise guest could be and thinks it might be Yoo Hae Jin.
Kim Kang Hoon's Local Food: Baeksuk at JANGSUJANG 장수장
Arriving at the baeksuk (boiled chicken soup) restaurant, the members peek in and excitedly calls out Pil Goo! The surprise guest is popular child actor, Kim Kang Hoon aka Pil Goo in When the Camellia Blooms. After greeting one another, everyone is surprised to see such a young guest because of the baeksuk choice. Kang Hoon says that he visits Sangdang Sanseong Fortress often, and loves to come here afterwards for the delicious boiled chicken soup and braised spicy chicken. It is his favorite!
As they sit down to chat, Kang Hoon reveals that he is currently still living in Cheongju. He takes the KTX to Seoul with his mother when there is work. While envious of other child actors who can go in for auditions after school, he does not want to move to Seoul because of his friends. Seung Gi asks him how he makes plans with his friends, if he would say "okay" when asked to meet up at a certain time. Kang Hoon says he does not give a definite answer making everyone laugh. This behavior to be ambiguous is passed down to the new generations as well. His status as a true Cheongju local is verified!
Tae Hyun asks if Kang Hoon will be treating them all to the lunch today. Seung Gi joins in saying Kang Hoon is the hottest actor right now making the most money and should treat. Hyo Joo berates the two for being mean to which Seung Gi replies calling themselves the Seoul bullies not the Seoul bumpkins. Of course, they are only teasing.
The main dishes that Kang Hoon ordered are brought out to the table, a tender and juicy boiled chicken soup plus spicy braised chicken that will make you salivate. But will everyone get to eat?
Cheongju is known as "the city of education" so the game for lunch is "Kang Hoon's Scholastic Aptitude Test." The members will compete against one another answering questions from Kang Hoon's 5th grade textbooks which are more difficult than one may think. Whoever answers correctly will be able to eat first.
The first subject is math and Kang Hoon reads out a word problem for them to solve. They attempt to calculate the answer in their heads first but to no avail, and finally decide to use pencil and paper. Beom Soo is quick and raises his hand with the correct answer. He passes the test and may begin to eat now. Kang Hoon pauses the test to join him while the others still have to patiently sit and wait.
After eating a delicious drumstick, Kang Hoon resumes the test. The second subject is science and it is a multiple choice question about planets. Seung Gi answers first. Wrong. Hyo Joo answers next. Wrong. Tae Hyun jumps in next answering #4 and it is correct! He cracks up as he just randomly guessed from the remaining choices but still gets to eat. Kang Hoon asks the next question on the subject of society, and Hyo Joo gets the correct answer first. Seung Gi is the usual game master but comes in last place this time.
Seung Gi eventually gets a correct answer to pass the test and can finally eat! The baeksuk is more delicious after working hard to earn it. The members continue the fun and games with nonsense quiz questions while finishing up lunch. Kang Hoon says he had a lot of fun today as he wraps up to say goodbye. Everyone thanks him for coming to join them and they hope to meet each other again soon in Seoul.
Lee Beom Soo's Pick: Mountain Fortress Hike
Now that their stomachs are full, it is now time to go for a walk around the village to enjoy the scenery. They arrive at a front yard and the PD tells them that Beom Soo had made a recommendation to go hiking along the top of the Sangdang Sanseong Fortress wall. The catch is... not everyone has to go!
It is time to play the "Selection Match" for Beom Soo's Castle Tour! The members will compete individually against him, and those who beat him can skip the tour and go straight home. Rules of the game: Beom Soo writes down 2 games, the others writes down 2 games, and the staff also writes down 2 games. Each person will randomly pull a game out of the pouch to play against Beom Soo.
The match starts and Seung Gi goes first. He picks out of the pouch and gets the "cham cham cham" game. It is a simple game where the two players will face each other and simultaneously choose a direction after saying the 3rd "cham." The person attacking moves their hand to point left, right, or center while the opponent tries to predict and moves their head in a different direction. If it is in the same direction, the person loses.
After rock paper scissors, Seung Gi is the lucky person who gets to attack first. But Beom Soo survives by staying center and not choosing a direction. Beom Soo goes next and tells Seung Gi in advance the direction he will point to which is to the right. However, Seung Gi falls for the trap and thinks Beom Soo is trying to trick him. He ends up moving his head in the direction as told and loses. Everyone bursts out into laughter as Beom Soo reminds Seung Gi that he already told him.
Hyo Joo is the last player and pulls out an old-fashioned game that Beom Soo had written down. The object of the game is to catch the opponent's hands with a slap as the person quickly slides them up and down. Beom Soo gets to attack first after winning rock paper scissors and tries to strike fast but misses slapping into air. Hyo Joo attacks next and easily catches Beom Soo's hands for the win.
Hyo Joo may now leave for home first since she won but feels bad and is hesitant to go. Seung Gi tells her it is the rules of the game and wants her to leave so that they can depart on their hike. Feeling sad, she says Seoul people are so cold-hearted. She confirms by asking three more times if she can really just go home before saying bye. As she walks off, she continues to linger and keeps turning her head back to look wanting to return. A difficult farewell as she had so much fun together on this precious hometown visit.
The guys start the Beom Soo Castle Tour hike and walk in silence, panting away, as the initial uphill climb is steep. After arriving at the West Gate, the trail begins and the course along the fortress wall to reach the South Gate take about 30 minutes to complete. Tae Hyun and Seung Gi cannot help but to be amazed by the beautiful scenery and history of Cheongju. The air quality is great too because the city is surrounded by the mountains. Seung Gi is glad he got to come up for the amazing view and Tae Hyun agrees saying it is worthwhile.
After the hike, Beom Soo wraps up the episode by saying how delighted he is by the opportunity to come visit his hometown once again. He has been living away for so many years and was curious to see how much things have changed. For him, this was a memorable trip he will cherish forever.
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