Kang Ji-young & Kang Jae-joon Hunt for 59㎡ 'National Standard' Apartments, From 'Son Heung-min Classmate' to 'Bong Joon-ho's First Home'

Broadcaster Kang Ji-young and comedian Kang Jae-joon are set to embark on an inspection of 59㎡ apartments, dubbed the 'new national standard,' on MBC's 'Save Me! Homes.'

This Thursday's episode will explore the evolving housing market amidst policy shifts, focusing on apartments around 59㎡ which are becoming ideal for the growing number of single and two-person households. While 84㎡ was previously considered the standard size, the definition is changing to reflect current living trends.

The duo, joined by Yang Se-hyung, will visit a 59㎡ apartment in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu. During the tour, Kang Jae-joon shared a surprising anecdote: "I used to live in Chuncheon Jugong 5 Complex as a child, and Son Heung-min lived in the same neighborhood. We were elementary school classmates. My father also knows coach Son Woong-jung," he revealed, leaving viewers intrigued.

The apartment complex, originally built as accommodation for the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, boasts a unique design, including ramps for wheelchair accessibility in case of emergencies. Yang Se-hyung added, "This was director Bong Joon-ho's first home. He lived here for the first three years of his marriage, and his debut feature film, 'Barking Dogs Never Bite,' was filmed using this apartment as a backdrop."

Exploring a 35㎡ unit that has been fully remodeled, Kang Ji-young noted, "As expected from a Paralympics village, the bathroom is spacious to accommodate wheelchair movement." Meanwhile, Yang Se-hyung and Yang Se-chan reminisced about sharing a cramped room during their youth, eliciting laughter. Yang Se-hyung also recounted the moment he realized he had become a star after gaining his own room upon starting the 'Hwasango' segment on 'Smile People.'

Catch the full report on the 59㎡ national standard apartment hunt this Thursday at 10 PM on MBC's 'Save Me! Homes.'

Netizens expressed excitement, commenting, 'Wow, Kang Jae-joon and Son Heung-min are classmates!', 'It's fascinating that it was director Bong Joon-ho's first home,' and 'I'm so curious about the 59㎡ apartments.' Reactions indicate high anticipation for the broadcast.