Honestly, if you don’t watch KBS Joy’s ‘Ask Us Anything‘ every Monday evening, it doesn’t feel like the week has truly begun, does it? As we encounter the extraordinary stories of people around us, along with the two shamans’ sharp and incisive advice, we realize that ‘there are all sorts of things in this world.’ Even in 2026, many people still come to shamans Seo Jang-hoon and Lee Soo-geun with their worries, and the stories aired recently were truly astounding. What kind of stories surprised us this time?
In fact, I think this program serves as a mirror, showing various facets of our society, beyond simply solving problems. Sometimes we get angry, sometimes we empathize, and viewers feel like they’re growing together. Perhaps that’s why it has become a long-running program that continues to be loved.
Reunited and on the Brink of Divorce Again? The Endless Cycle of Marital Conflict
Marital problems are always a common theme. In the broadcast on April 20th, a 48-year-old caller appeared, who was once again on the verge of divorce after reuniting, drawing much sympathy. After divorcing once due to financial difficulties, they got back together for the sake of their children, but the same problems kept recurring. In fact, such stories are quite common around us. Marriage isn’t maintained by love alone, is it? When you see a relationship as tangled as this couple’s, it really seems hopeless.
The core of marital conflicts that the shamans often advise on usually includes these:
- Financial problems: Nothing divides a couple more than money issues.
- Lack of communication: When dialogue breaks down, only misunderstandings accumulate.
- Differences in values: It’s truly difficult to reconcile different lifestyles and expectations.
- Spousal infidelity: This, well, goes without saying, is a direct path to disaster.
In a way, the root of all these problems seems to stem from a lack of effort to understand each other. I wonder if this couple will be able to make a wise decision this time.
Actor Lee Hoon’s Confession of a 3-Year Hiatus, Reality Spares No Celebrities
This time, it was a different type of story. Actor Lee Hoon, who has been active for 30 years, appeared and shared shocking news about his current situation. I was truly surprised by his confession that he had almost no income for three years. He said he was suffering from financial hardship as drama productions scheduled from 2024 were repeatedly canceled or postponed. It was a moment that made me realize once again that not all celebrities live glamorous lives. Shaman Lee Soo-geun even gave Lee Hoon some pointed advice, saying, “To someone who has no work at all, this might sound like a privileged complaint,” but his struggle over whether to continue acting or find a new path resonated with many office workers.
Lee Hoon’s story is also a glimpse into the harsh reality of the entertainment industry.
- Unstable income: Income fluctuates depending on project activities.
- Intensified competition: It’s difficult to survive among countless new and experienced actors.
- Image management: One cannot be free from public scrutiny.
- Difficulty in seeking new opportunities: It’s not easy to transition to another field after being in one profession for a long time.
Still, Shaman Lee Soo-geun encouraged him, saying that good fortune would come in July, so I hope to see Lee Hoon actively working again. Many viewers will want to see him make a comeback and will be rooting for his future.
Beyond Imagination! From ‘Liver Transplant Request’ to ’13 Million Won for 30 Years of Living Expenses’
Honestly, while watching ‘Ask Us Anything,’ there are countless stories that make you think, ‘Is this real?’ Recently, stories that defied our common sense appeared. The story of an ex-husband who cheated and divorced, then demanded, “If you don’t give me a liver transplant, there will be no child support,” was truly unbelievable even after hearing it. How could someone say such a thing? The term ‘inhuman’ perfectly fit the situation.
Another story was about a husband who gave his wife only 13 million won for living expenses during 30 years of marriage. Moreover, he even spoke harshly to his son, so I understood why Shaman Seo Jang-hoon firmly advised, “Divorce unconditionally.” When I hear such stories, it seems that the world people live in is truly full of unfathomable things.
- Ex-husband’s liver transplant request: An absurd demand using child support as bait.
- 13 million won for 30 years of living expenses: An irresponsible attitude that took the wife’s sacrifice for granted.
- Husband hospitalized in a psychiatric ward: Showed a facet of severe family discord.
I think the charm of this program is that every time I hear these stories, I feel comforted, thinking, ‘I’m not the only one struggling,’ and relieved, thinking, ‘My life is pretty good compared to this.’
Thus, ‘Ask Us Anything’ shows various faces of our society through diverse stories every week. Sometimes bitter, sometimes absurd, but ultimately, through the process of worrying and comforting together, it seems to give many people food for thought. I’m already curious about what kind of extraordinary story awaits us next week.