Premiering on the 19th, the SBS variety show ‘Monk and Guests’ is a road trip through India featuring Venerable Pomnyun, who has comforted countless people with his wisdom, and five unique guests: Noh Hong-chul, Lee Sang-yoon, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Ki-taek, and Woo Chan. Together, they embark on a journey of instant Q&A to discover their “true selves.”
The production team of ‘Monk and Guests’ recently released interviews with Lee Sang-yoon and Lee Joo-bin, where they opened up about the changes they experienced during the trip and their special moments with Venerable Pomnyun.
Regarding his decision to join, Lee Sang-yoon shared, “I’ve had a vague curiosity about India for a long time, but I couldn’t quite find the courage to go. Through this filming, my desire to experience it firsthand was the biggest motivator.” He added, “I met Venerable Pomnyun eight years ago through ‘Master in the House’ and had wonderful memories of that time. I hoped our paths would cross again, so I decided to join when this great opportunity came along.”
Lee Joo-bin also expressed her excitement, saying, “The fellow actors and colleagues joining me were wonderful, and I really wanted to participate since it was a chance to travel to India, a place I’ve always been curious about.” She even revealed a behind-the-scenes detail: she canceled a previously planned trip to New York just to join the shoot!
One of the biggest highlights of the trip is the unexpected chemistry between the five guests with their vastly different personalities. Lee Sang-yoon noted, “Even though the five of us have completely different characters and personalities, we blended together really well.” He credited Noh Hong-chul for leading the atmosphere and mentioned that everyone’s sincerity and consideration for one another naturally created great teamwork.
Lee Joo-bin added, “Even when the cameras were off, we spent hours having honest conversations and relying on each other, completely losing track of time,” hinting at the strong bond the five guests formed while navigating the unfamiliar landscapes of India.
For the two stars, this journey was more than just a trip. Lee Sang-yoon confessed, “I had some worries about which direction to take in my life, but through this trip, I realized that while I should do my absolute best, I shouldn’t let the results shake me or consume me.” He specifically mentioned that the conversation about ‘non-attachment’ with Venerable Pomnyun was the most memorable, stating, “The words that it’s not about not trying at all, but about doing your best while remaining detached from the result, really resonated with me.”
Lee Joo-bin shared a poignant moment from her talk with Venerable Pomnyun. “When I confessed that I’m always worrying about what I truly want, the monk told me, ‘The human heart is always changing; trying to dig deep into the idea that it should always stay the same is, in itself, attachment,'” she revealed. She reflected on the experience, saying, “This trip to India was ‘freedom’ for me. It was a time when I could travel comfortably without the pressure that I had to be good at something or absolutely achieve something.”
Finally, Lee Sang-yoon described the journey as being “somewhere between a trip and spiritual practice.” He teased the show’s appeal, saying, “When we’re with Venerable Pomnyun, we naturally reflect on our hearts, but when the members are together, the atmosphere becomes a comfortable and cheerful trip. The biggest point to look forward to is experiencing these different vibes and types of fun within one program.” Lee Joo-bin also added, “Please look forward to the unfamiliar scenery only found in India and the chemistry of us bonding while sharing the ups and downs of the road.”
‘Monk and Guests’ will premiere on the 19th at 9 PM.
