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The segment began when the show’s host, Boom, introduced a topic concerning a past connection between Kang Mina and one of the permanent cast members. Boom noted that there was an individual present who had shared a kiss scene with Kang Mina in a previous project, further alleging that the encounter had led to a degree of awkwardness in their subsequent relationship. Before Kang Mina could identify the individual, P.O immediately reacted with visible surprise and sheepishly admitted his involvement, standing up to offer a mock apology that triggered laughter throughout the studio.
The Context of the On-Screen Romance: Hotel Del Luna
The connection between P.O and Kang Mina dates back to their roles in the critically acclaimed tvN fantasy drama Hotel Del Luna, which aired from July to September 2019. In the series, P.O portrayed Ji Hyun-joong, the polite and long-serving receptionist of the hotel for ghosts, while Kang Mina played Kim Yoo-na, a high school student whose body is inhabited by a spirit and who eventually becomes an intern at the hotel. Their characters developed a poignant "pure love" storyline that became a fan-favorite subplot, culminating in a gentle romance that stood in contrast to the more intense main narrative involving lead actors IU (Lee Ji-eun) and Yeo Jin-goo.
The kiss scene in question occurred toward the end of the series, serving as a pivotal moment for their character arcs. For both performers, who were primarily known at the time as K-pop idols—P.O as the rapper of Block B and Kang Mina as a member of I.O.I and gugudan—the scene represented a significant step in their transition into professional acting. During the Amazing Saturday broadcast, Kang Mina confirmed the details, noting, "We were each other’s love interests in the series," effectively setting the stage for the humorous "exposure" that followed.
Behind-the-Scenes Revelations and Physical Reactions
The atmosphere in the studio shifted from nostalgia to comedic scrutiny when Kang Mina revealed a specific detail about P.O’s behavior during the filming of the kiss. She stated that while she was unaware of it during the actual take, she later learned from the production staff or through monitoring that P.O had been "wiggling his toes a lot" throughout the duration of the scene. This revelation of a subconscious physical tic suggested a high level of nervousness or immersion on P.O’s part, a detail that the Amazing Saturday cast members quickly seized upon for comedic effect.
Seo In Guk, who appeared on the show to promote his new project alongside Kang Mina, pointed out that P.O’s ears had turned a bright shade of red—a common physiological response to embarrassment that P.O is well-known for among his fans. When pressed by his fellow cast members about his state of mind during the 2019 shoot, P.O candidly admitted his anxiety. He explained that because it was his first time filming a romantic scene of that nature, he was understandably overwhelmed, which manifested in the involuntary movement of his toes.
Chronology of the Actors’ Career Transitions
To understand the impact of this revelation, it is necessary to examine the career trajectories of both P.O and Kang Mina. P.O debuted with Block B in 2011, establishing himself as a talented rapper with a unique husky voice. His foray into acting began in earnest in the mid-2010s, with Hotel Del Luna serving as one of his most prominent early roles. Since then, he has balanced a prolific career in variety television with increasingly complex acting roles, including a well-received performance in the thriller Mouse (2021). His recent return to the industry following the completion of his mandatory military service in late 2023 has seen him reclaim his spot as a versatile entertainer.
Kang Mina’s path followed a similar "idol-to-actor" trajectory. After rising to fame on the survival show Produce 101 and debuting in the project group I.O.I, she continued her music career with gugudan while simultaneously building her acting portfolio. Since the disbandment of gugudan in late 2020, she has focused almost exclusively on acting, earning praise for her roles in My Roommate Is a Gumiho and Moonshine. Her appearance on Amazing Saturday was part of a promotional tour for her latest drama, See You At Work Tomorrow!, a Monday-Tuesday series on tvN that features her in a lead role alongside Seo In Guk.
Supporting Data: The Impact of Hotel Del Luna
The enduring interest in the P.O-Mina "love line" is supported by the massive commercial and critical success of Hotel Del Luna. At the time of its broadcast, the drama was a ratings powerhouse, peaking at a 12% nationwide viewership rating in South Korea, making it one of the highest-rated cable dramas in history. The chemistry between the supporting cast was frequently cited by critics as a key factor in the show’s broad appeal.
Data from social media and streaming platforms indicate that clips of Ji Hyun-joong and Kim Yoo-na’s romance continue to garner millions of views years after the show’s conclusion. The "toe-wiggling" anecdote adds a layer of humanizing "behind-the-scenes" lore to a scene that was previously viewed through a purely sentimental lens. In the context of South Korean entertainment, where the "shipping" of co-stars is a common fan activity, such revelations often revitalize interest in older projects while boosting the current profiles of the actors involved.
Official Responses and Industry Implications
While there have been no formal statements from the talent agencies regarding this specific variety show segment, the candid nature of the exchange reflects a broader trend in the South Korean entertainment industry. Modern idols and actors are increasingly encouraged to share relatable, self-deprecating stories to build rapport with the public. P.O’s willingness to admit his nervousness—rather than maintaining a cool, detached persona—aligns with his established "variety persona" on shows like New Journey to the West and Great Escape.
From an industry perspective, the segment serves as an effective marketing tool for Kang Mina’s new drama, See You At Work Tomorrow!. By linking her current project to a beloved past performance, the production team leverages nostalgia to capture the attention of "legacy" viewers. Furthermore, the interaction demonstrates the professional maturity of both performers; they are able to revisit past "awkward" moments with humor and grace, signaling their growth from rookie actors to established industry professionals.
Analysis of the "Idol-Actor" Dynamic
The "flustered" reaction of P.O also highlights the unique pressures faced by idols who transition into acting. Unlike traditional actors who may have trained in theater or film schools where romantic scenes are practiced as part of the craft, many idols enter the acting world with a public image centered on "purity" or "accessibility" to fans. The first "kiss scene" is often a major milestone that is scrutinized by both the media and the fandom.
P.O’s physical reaction—both during the 2019 filming and the 2024 variety show recording—underscores the psychological weight of these performances. The "toe-wiggling" incident, while humorous, is a factual testament to the genuine effort and vulnerability required for idols to break out of their established molds and deliver convincing romantic performances.
Conclusion and Broader Impact
The lighthearted exchange on Amazing Saturday between P.O and Kang Mina serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of the South Korean entertainment landscape. A single scene from a five-year-old drama can still generate headlines and viral content, provided it is anchored by genuine human emotion and comedic timing. As Kang Mina moves forward with her new series See You At Work Tomorrow! and P.O continues his multi-faceted career in variety and acting, this anecdote will likely remain a cherished piece of trivia for fans of Hotel Del Luna.
The segment successfully achieved its dual purpose: providing high-quality entertainment for the variety show’s audience and generating promotional buzz for the guest stars’ upcoming projects. By stripping away the polished veneer of a scripted romance to reveal a nervous actor wiggling his toes, the program offered a moment of authenticity that resonates far more deeply with viewers than a standard promotional interview ever could. As the "idol-actor" phenomenon continues to evolve, such moments of transparency continue to bridge the gap between the distant world of television dramas and the relatable experiences of the audience.
