On SBS's 'My Little Old Boy,' Jo Hyun-ah dishes on Lee Mi-joo's secret suitors while the duo candidly unpack toxic celebrity ex-boyfriends.
Unfiltered Best-Friend Banter: Who Is Asking for Mi-joo's Number?
When two of South Korea’s most outspoken female entertainers sit down for a candid dinner, no topic remains off-limits. On the October 4, 2026 broadcast of SBS’s flagship reality program ‘My Little Old Boy’ (미운 우리 새끼), Urban Zakapa vocalist Jo Hyun-ah and pop star-turned-variety titan Lee Mi-joo treated audiences to a hilariously honest conversation dissecting romance, industry gossip, and single life.
The fireworks began when Jo casually asked whether Mi-joo was seeing anyone. When Mi-joo jokingly fired back, "Do you think I'd be dating right now?" confirming her current single status, Jo dropped a playful bomb about behind-the-scenes interest from fellow male celebrities.
"Jeon So-min actually told me, 'Mi-joo gets asked out constantly while doing variety shows,'" Jo revealed with a mischievous grin. "She said that the moment filming wraps up, men always rush to ask for your phone number!"
A visibly bewildered Mi-joo reacted with mock outrage and laughter: "I'm genuinely curious—who on earth is asking for my number? Because nobody has ever come to ask me directly!"
‘My Little Old Boy’ Episode Highlights
- Broadcast: SBS ‘My Little Old Boy’ (Episode aired October 4, 2026).
- The Insider Gossip: Jeon So-min reportedly shared that male guests consistently attempt to get Mi-joo’s contact information post-recording.
- Mi-joo’s Current Relationship Status: Strictly single; states she has never developed romantic feelings for male co-stars on set.
- Toxic Ex Shockers: Jo Hyun-ah reveals a celebrity ex who had meltdowns during her live broadcasts; Mi-joo reveals an ex who forbade her from going to the gym.
Drawing the Line: On-Screen Flirtation vs. Real Chemistry
Celebrated across prime-time variety shows like Hangout with Yoo and Sixth Sense for her high-energy persona, sharp wit, and delightful comedy "lovelines," Mi-joo offered a candid peek behind the curtain regarding how she truly views co-stars.
When pressed by Jo on whether she had ever harbored genuine romantic feelings for any of the charming men she encountered during show recordings, Mi-joo drew a crystal-clear boundary. "To be completely honest, while many of them are undeniably handsome and wonderful gentlemen, I’ve never caught real feelings or developed romantic interest on set," she explained, underlining her strict professionalism when the cameras are rolling.
Red Flags Exposed: The Obsessive Celebrity Ex and Gym Bans
As the dinner progressed, the conversation turned toward past relationship missteps, with both stars venting about their uncanny knack for attracting deeply flawed partners.
"Why do both you and I always seem to meet such bizarre men?" Jo Hyun-ah lamented before sharing a jaw-dropping account of an obsessive former partner from within the entertainment sector.
"I once dated a guy who was so suffocatingly possessive that he caused massive chaos whenever I didn't answer the phone—even when I was literally hosting live radio or television broadcasts," Jo revealed. "He was also an industry celebrity, but his insecurity was constant. If I missed a call, all hell broke loose." She added that another previous partner dated her while abruptly declaring midway that he was strictly against marriage.
Not to be outdone, Mi-joo shared her own shocking brush with controlling behavior, recounting how a former boyfriend imposed absurd restrictions on her physical fitness. The confession prompted gasps and laughter from the celebrity mothers watching in the studio, spotlighting the hidden absurdities modern women often encounter while navigating courtship.
The Refreshing Power of Celebrity Transparency
In an Asian entertainment industry that has historically demanded polished perfection and romantic ambiguity from female idols, the breezy authenticity displayed by Lee Mi-joo and Jo Hyun-ah highlights an evolving cultural norm.
By sharing their lived relationship heartaches, setting firm boundaries regarding their careers, and laughing off past misjudgments on national television, the two stars deliver more than just weekend entertainment—they provide relatable, empowering camaraderie for audiences navigating their own dating journeys.