Choi Soo-jong Acts as 'Overseas Shipping Knight' for Mother and Son Reunited After 49 Years on 'Puzzle Trip'

Actor Choi Soo-jong will step in as an 'overseas shipping knight' for a mother and son reuniting after 49 years on MBN's special 30th-anniversary project, 'Puzzle Trip.'

'Puzzle Trip' is a real observational travel program that follows the journeys of overseas adoptees who come to Korea to find their lost pieces of puzzles – their 'self' and 'family.' Selected for production support by the Korea Creative Content Agency in the public non-drama category for 2025, the show depicts journeys of empathy shared by overseas adoptees with various stories and puzzle guides.

The second episode, airing on the 4th, will accompany puzzle guides Choi Soo-jong and Yang Ji-eun as they witness the emotional reunion of Mike (Jeon Soon-hak) and his mother, Kim Eun-soon, who are meeting for the first time in 49 years. A room filled with gifts, prepared by the mother who longed for her son for so long, will be unveiled, bringing the studio to tears.

Mother Kim Eun-soon had desperately searched for her son for 49 years, even sharing her story on various broadcasts like 'National Singing Contest.' Upon finally meeting her son Mike after nearly five decades, she embraced him and wept uncontrollably, revealing her profound maternal love. To make up for the years she couldn't care for him, she prepared a birthday meal of seaweed soup and japchae, and revealed a room overflowing with gifts she had bought whenever she thought of him. The sight of the room, packed with everything from pressure cookers and ramen to various underwear and beer, brought tears to the eyes not only of Mike but also of Choi Soo-jong and Yang Ji-eun.

Startled by the sheer volume of gifts, Mike asked, 'How am I supposed to take all of this back?' His mother replied, 'Shipping is too expensive, so I can't send it by mail. You'll have to fit it in your luggage.' At this point, Choi Soo-jong stepped forward, saying, 'You can't fit it in your suitcases, can you? Then, regardless of the cost, I'll take responsibility and ship it for you.' He immediately offered his help, resolving the mother's worries. Witnessing this, Kim Na-young remarked, 'As expected of a top entertainer,' expressing her respect for Choi Soo-jong.

Meanwhile, Yang Ji-eun added to the emotional atmosphere by performing a duet with Mike's mother. The mother shared how she used to sing Lee Mi-ja's 'Give Back Doo-hyung' as 'Give Back Soon-hak' every night while searching for her son, captivating everyone with her heartfelt rendition. Choi Soo-jong exclaimed, 'The mother keeps making us cry,' breaking down in tears himself.

The story of the mother and son's reunion after a 49-year separation, and Choi Soo-jong's heartwarming act as an overseas shipping knight, will be revealed today (4th) at 10:20 PM on MBN's 'Puzzle Trip.'

Netizens reacted with warmth, commenting, 'Choi Soo-jong's heart is so warm. It was touching,' and 'A reunion after 49 years must have been incredibly emotional.' Many expressed support for the stories of overseas adoptees, saying, 'I will continue to cheer for the stories of overseas adoptees.'