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[Seoul=RNX News] Reporter Kim Yea-eun = Yang Ji-eun confesses that she was the one who cried the most during the recording of ‘Puzzle Trip’.
MBN 30th Anniversary Special 3-Part Series ‘Puzzle Trip’ is a real observation travel program that captures the real Korean travel stories of overseas adoptees who come to Korea to find ‘me’ and ‘family’ to find a missing piece of the puzzle.
Selected by the Korea Creative Content Agency for 2025 Broadcast Video Content Public Drama-Free Production Support, the first episode aired on the 27th features puzzle guide Kim Won-hee and Carrie (Lee Eun-jung), the second episode airing on the 4th features Choi Soo-jong, Yang Ji-eun as puzzle guides and Mike (Jeon Soon-hak), and the third episode airing on the 11th features puzzle guide Kim Na-young and 23-year-old Katie on a journey of empathy.
After the first broadcast, ‘Puzzle Trip’, garnering hot attention, increasing interest in overseas adoptees, reveals a written interview with Yang Ji-eun, following Kim Won-hee and Choi Soo-jong, drawing attention.
Yang Ji-eun cites her family as the definite reason for choosing to appear on ‘Puzzle Trip’ without hesitation. As a mother of two, Yang Ji-eun says, “I personally experience the warmth that the word family can hold,” and, “Even though overseas adoptees have been far from their families for a long time, I think the longing continued. I wanted to help make their time together a bit more comfortable and meaningful during their reunion,” revealing a special reason for participating in the program.
Yang Ji-eun remarks on the memorable moment with Mike and his mother, Kim Eun-soon. Joined by Choi Soo-jong and Yang Ji-eun, a mother who had been searching for her lost son for 49 years, and a son who believed he had been abandoned for 49 years, were reunited.
Yang Ji-eun recalls, “I still remember the trembling mother waiting for her son at the door” and adds, “Before meeting, she was excited and even prepared a birthday meal for her son, preparing to greet him brightly, but as the meeting time approached, she trembled much more.
I have children of my own, but I cannot even begin to fathom a mother’s feelings as she trembles waiting for her child, who should be the most comforting presence… That moment of reunion is a memory I can never forget in my life,” she conveys the lingering impression left from the emotional meet.
Meanwhile, Yang Ji-eun takes the title of the MC who cried the most during recording, in response to the testimony from director Kim Sung that “The MCs used a whole box of tissues each recording.” Yang Ji-eun admits, “I don’t know why matters concerning family bring me to tears.
It wasn’t that those moments were sad, but they were so overwhelming and moving that tears continued to flow. Observing up close the moments when long-waited families reunite, it was a time to deeply feel the love and importance of family,” she confesses.
Moreover, Yang Ji-eun did not forget to express gratitude, mentioning the abundance of support and encouragement from acquaintances even before recording. “Upon hearing about the shoot, acquaintances said ‘It seems your sincerity will be conveyed more’ and ‘It will be a great encouragement to many on screen,’ and supported me a lot” she says, “Even after the recording, there were many who genuinely added their warmth by asking ‘Did you cry a lot again?’ and all the support throughout the shoot made me feel even more responsible,” revealing the continued warm support and encouragement she received before filming.
Yang Ji-eun describes ‘Puzzle Trip’ in a single word as “connect.” “‘Puzzle Trip’ isn’t about something cut off, but something that was momentarily apart and then reconnects,” she says. “It is a word that connects relationships, time, heart, and even stories, so I want to call it ‘connect,’” she conveys the touching sentiment.
Lastly, Yang Ji-eun addresses the numerous viewers who haven’t seen ‘Puzzle Trip’ yet, saying, “I watched closely as the long-buried longing erupted again from deep within my chest,” she testifies, “True love is not severed by distance.
As you watch eyes meet, long-held wait melts in tears, and even if there is no language, hearts connect. I hope viewers also feel the warmth and importance of family again during the year-end as you watch these moments,” she earnestly conveys, evoking emotion.
‘Puzzle Trip’, which encapsulates powerful family love that is not broken by time and distance, will air its second episode on December 4th (Thursday) at 10:20 PM.
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