'You Quiz on the Block' Features Guests Sharing Profound Life Experiences, Tops Ratings

tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block', under the theme 'We Know Because We've Done It,' is receiving rave reviews from viewers for its deeply resonant stories.

The 321st episode, aired on Wednesday the 3rd, featured special cleaner Eom Woo-bin, cardiothoracic surgeon Professor Yoo Jae-seok, psychiatrist Dr. Park Jong-seok who trades stocks, and actor Jung Kyung-ho. They shared engaging and sincere conversations that offered genuine comfort and empathy to those going through difficult times, based on their personal experiences. The broadcast secured the top spot in viewership ratings for its time slot across all cable and terrestrial channels, including the key demographic of men and women aged 20-49.

Actor Jung Kyung-ho candidly revealed the struggles and efforts hidden behind his seemingly perfect professional characters. He recalled moments of inadequacy during the filming of 'I'm Sorry, I Love You,' where even getting a single shot right was difficult. He shared his enduring habit of meticulously transcribing scripts, a practice he continues to this day to hone his acting skills. His father, renowned drama director Jung Young-cheol, significantly influenced his dedication to scripts. Growing up surrounded by drama scripts rather than books, Jung developed his imagination through them. Though his father initially discouraged him from pursuing acting due to its hardships, he is now his biggest supporter. Jung himself came to understand his father's demanding work life only after experiencing the industry firsthand, sharing a moving father-son story.

Psychiatrist Dr. Park Jong-seok resonated deeply with viewers by openly discussing his experience of losing his entire fortune through stock trading. He recounted his initial investment fueled by the thrill of early profits, investing his life savings, and his subsequent descent into stock addiction, which led to the loss of his assets and profession. He detailed hitting rock bottom, contemplating extreme measures, but being pulled back by a friend's words. Now a leading expert in stock addiction treatment in Korea, Dr. Park earnestly advises, 'Cultivate the mindset that 'you yourself' are the best blue-chip stock,' hoping others avoid similar pitfalls. His raw confession, despite its painful nature, elicited both laughter and empathy.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Professor Yoo Jae-seok, known as the real-life inspiration for the character Kim Jun-wan in 'Hospital Playlist,' shared his journey of understanding and helping patients cope with loneliness. His past experience of undergoing a lung resection surgery in 2002 and sharing a room with a patient suspected of transmitting tuberculosis to him garnered significant attention.

He described 'loneliness' as the hardest part of his isolation. Drawing from this, he shared heartwarming stories of finding 'talking companions' for patients without family, an experience that was also deeply portrayed in 'Hospital Playlist.' Professor Yoo also provided information on myocardial infarction, commenting on the recent viral discussion about earlobe creases as a symptom, stating, 'It's difficult to establish a causal relationship.'

The story of 20-year-old special cleaner Eom Woo-bin, who tidies up extreme environments such as hoarding sites, scenes of lonely deaths, suicides, and disaster sites, also captivated viewers. He began this work due to debt and has handled approximately 1,000 cases over five years. He expressed particular sadness when cleaning the homes of those who died alone, especially peers. He recounted the physical challenges of working in environments with cockroaches and strong odors, but stated that the most distressing aspect was witnessing people disrespect the deceased.

Sharing his past as a recluse during his school years, he found comfort in cluttered spaces, showing deep empathy for young people struggling with hoarding. He views his job not as 'specialized' but as 'extraordinary,' driven by a sense of mission that has also changed his perspective on life.

Upcoming guests include veteran actress Jeon Won-ju, calculating prodigy siblings Lee Yu-ju and Lee Jun-myeong who won the top prize in a mental arithmetic competition, Kim Hyun-ju, the maternal granddaughter of independence activists and author of 'Jesse's Diary,' and comedian Kim Soo-yong, who narrowly escaped death after a severe myocardial infarction. 'You Quiz on the Block' airs every Wednesday at 8:45 PM KST.

Netizens praised the show's diverse guests and their honest stories. Comments included, 'Jung Kyung-ho's sincerity was heartwarming,' 'Dr. Park Jong-seok's experience was a wake-up call,' 'Professor Yoo Jae-seok's story brought me to tears,' and 'Eom Woo-bin's dedication is truly inspiring.' Many related to Dr. Park's message about valuing oneself as the 'best blue-chip stock.'