Lee Sang-yoon and Lee Joo-bin have shared the special journey and honest emotions they experienced while traveling through India for the new SBS variety show ‘Beopryun Road: Monk and Guests’.
Premiering on May 19 at 9 PM, SBS’s ‘Beopryun Road: Monk and Guests’ is a road trip of “instant questions and instant answers” where Monk Beopryun, who has answered countless worries, travels India with Noh Hong-chul, Lee Sang-yoon, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Ki-taek, and Woo-chan to find their “true selves.”
Lee Sang-yoon opened up about why he joined, saying, “I’ve had a vague curiosity about India for a long time, but I couldn’t easily find the courage to go. I really wanted to dive in and experience it firsthand this time.” He added, “I met Monk Beopryun eight years ago through ‘Master in the House,’ and those good memories stayed with me. I hoped our paths would cross again, so it was even more meaningful to join this time.”
Lee Joo-bin also showed her passion, stating, “The combination of seniors and juniors was great, and I really wanted to participate because I could experience India, which I’ve always been curious about.” She revealed her dedication by adding, “I even canceled a planned trip to New York to join the filming.”
A major highlight of the show is the unexpected teamwork between the five guests, who have completely different personalities and tastes. Lee Sang-yoon reflected, “All the members had very strong personalities, but it was surprising how well we blended together. Hong-chul hyung led the atmosphere well from the center, and because we were considerate of each other and sincere, a great team chemistry naturally formed.”
Lee Sang-yoon also shared affectionate thoughts about his fellow members. Regarding Lee Joo-bin, he said, “I was impressed by how she tried to participate most actively even in difficult situations. That energy served as a positive stimulus for the other members.” He described the youngest, Woo-chan, as “a friend who is thoughtful and the most mature.” He added, “Personally, Ki-taek was really funny. Thanks to his unique charm, he refreshed the mood at unexpected moments,” raising expectations for the chemistry between the five guests.
Lee Joo-bin confessed, “Even after the cameras were off, we naturally blended into each other’s vibes and talked for hours without realizing time was passing. Staying together in an unfamiliar place like India, we really relied on each other a lot.”
This trip to India meant more than just a vacation for the two. Lee Sang-yoon shared, “I had many worries about which direction to move forward in my life, but through this trip, I realized that I should do my best but not let the results shake me.” He noted that the conversation about “non-desire” with Monk Beopryun was most memorable, saying, “The words that it’s not about making no effort, but about being detached from the result after doing your best, really touched me.”
Lee Joo-bin shared the most impressive advice from Monk Beopryun: “When I told him, ‘I always worry about what I truly want,’ the monk told me, ‘The human heart naturally keeps changing, and trying to define it as one thing can be an obsession in itself.'” She looked back on the experience, saying, “This trip to India was like a time of ‘freedom’ for me. It was more special because I could travel comfortably without the pressure that I ‘must do something well.'”
Finally, Lee Sang-yoon described the program as “a time somewhere between travel and spiritual practice.” He explained, “When I’m with Monk Beopryun, I naturally reflect on myself, and when I’m with the members, a comfortable and pleasant travel atmosphere comes alive. You’ll be able to feel different types of fun simultaneously within one program.”
Lee Joo-bin also added, “Please look forward to the unfamiliar scenery that can only be found in India and the chemistry of the members who grow closer while sharing joys and sorrows on the road.”
Combining travel, spiritual practice, and Monk Beopryun’s instant Q&A, SBS’s ‘Beopryun Road: Monk and Guests’ premieres on May 19 at 9 PM.
