The 320th episode of «Problem Child in House» (옥탑방의 문제아들), which aired on 10 July 2026, welcomed actor Namgoong Min (star of «My Dearest», «Good Manager»). 

Namgoong Min is currently promoting his new drama «The Husband» (The Fulfillment Of Marriage, The Completion of Marriage, 결혼의 완성), which began airing on 4 July on KBS. This marks his first return to KBS in seven years for the actor known as “the man of a thousand faces”.

The episode proved to be remarkably rich: candid conversations about career and weight, philosophical debates on professionalism, a touching love story, and, of course, the show’s trademark tricky questions.

Namgoong Min surprised the hosts from the very start. He revealed that for the broadcast he had deliberately shed weight to 67 kg, although his usual weight is 71–72 kg. The actor admitted that looking good on screen is important to him, and if he fails to control his weight, he begins to feel stressed. The hosts recalled his famous transformation for the series «The Veil», when Namgoong Min gained 18 kg of muscle, pushing his weight up to 84 kg. They joked that his weight seems to be “rubber”.

Read more: How Namgoong Min Became the King of Dramas?

They then asked the actor about his approach to work. When asked what annoys him, Namgoong Min did not hesitate: unprofessionalism on set. He admitted that he is irritated by people who cut corners and do not give their full effort. At the same time, he stressed that he is not the type to shout at people, preferring to resolve issues calmly. He also noted that the behavioural norms on set have changed: in the past, junior actors would bow at a 90‑degree angle to their seniors, but now everyone is much more relaxed.

Namgoong Min lamented that even directors on set are now younger than him, and that the younger generation is “different”. The hosts began to laugh and came up with the nickname «Old‑fashioned Namgoong».

The most touching part of the episode was devoted to Namgoong Min’s personal life. He told a beautiful story of how he met his wife, Jin Ah Reum (star of «Vampire Detective», «Planck Constant»). They met in 2015 at a casting for the short film «Light My Fire», which Namgoong Min was directing. After eight years of dating, they married, and now, four years into marriage, they are expecting their child.

The actor confessed that from the very first glance, Jin Ah Reum appealed to him more than any other actress who came to the audition. Although other members of the production team apparently had different opinions, personally she stood out the most to him. Namgoong Min joked that his judgement may not have been entirely professional.

«There were four or five people at the audition, but my attention was particularly drawn to my wife. Now, when I think about it, maybe I had ulterior motives»

Nothing romantic happened during the shoot – Namgoong Min finished the work in just two days due to a tight budget. Their relationship began later, thanks to one of his friends, who also happened to be Jin Ah Reum’s acting teacher. The friend helped them exchange phone numbers and arranged an informal meeting.

Read more: Wedding Photos of Namgoong Min and Jin Ah Reum

After getting to know Jin Ah Reum outside the set, Namgoong Min became even more interested in her.

«She was so warm‑hearted and pure. I thought: “I need to muster up the courage to win her over and confess my feelings”»

However, his first attempt failed. Namgoong Min had had a drink (apparently for courage) and suddenly asked Jin Ah Reum: «Do you want to go on a date?» (사귈래). He later realised that it sounded too casual and abrupt.

«I decided to confess my feelings. But I lacked courage, so I just drank and... that’s how I act a bit more loose. I’m impatient by nature. When I have feelings, I feel I should just be honest about them, but from her perspective it must have come completely out of the blue»

Namgoong Min even demonstrated roughly how he did it, and it really did sound quite playboy‑like.

Jin Ah Reum flatly turned him down. He was already a celebrity, and she suspected him of being frivolous - and, it must be said, at the time his on‑screen image and the vibe of his roles, as well as the tone of his words, fit that perception perfectly. This made her wary.

Nevertheless, Namgoong Min continued to court her for about two months. While on a trip to China for a film shoot, he confessed his feelings again, but was turned down once more. Surprisingly, he said that the second rejection actually brought relief rather than despair. He decided that he had finally done all he could and resolved to stop.

That was when the situation unexpectedly changed. Jin Ah Reum herself made the first move.

«I felt relieved and thought: “I should stop.” But then she said we should try dating! My wife said she had thought I was a scoundrel because I confessed after drinking. But after getting to know me better, she realised I have a serious side too. She had preconceived notions about celebrities, but she said I’m not like that at all,» he smiled.

The couple lived together for eight years before tying the knot in October 2022. Namgoong Min recounted how he proposed. After watching many films, he decided he should get down on one knee and present a ring. He asked friends to help arrange the moment and hid a camera in a bag to film the proposal.

He admitted that this recording has become something of a family heirloom for the couple: «When we argue, we rewatch that video. Immediately you think: “Was it worth fighting over this?”»

He named mutual respect and care as the most important things in marriage.

Watch the video here

Sources 1, 2