Korean variety show brings everyone to tears

(Photo captured from 1박2일, KBS)

One of Sunday night’s most popular TV shows, “1박2일” (1 bak 2 il/One night, Two days) made many people cry during last night’s episode. 1박2일 is a Korean variety show where 6 comedians and singers visit a different place in Korea every weekend. Last week’s and this week’s episode featured the 6 comedians and singers taking a trip together with 6 foreign workers that live and work in Korea.

The episode that aired yesterday (16th) on KBS 2TV was filmed on Christmas where the staff prepared gifts for the foreign workers. OSEN reported that the producer, Na Youngsuk, suddenly announced that there would be gifts for the foreign workers. While the casts and foreign workers began to voice their curiosity over the gifts, the foreign workers’ families appeared on a TV screen. All of the workers burst into tears while watching the messages from their families whom they haven’t seen for at least one year. Karki’s (Nepal) wife appeared on the screen first and Karki’s big eyes filled with tears. Others on the show couldn’t help but cry as well as they hear his wife talk about the difficult time she was having living alone with two daughters and in-laws. Khan (Bangladesh) could not help but cry when watching his mother say, “There are so many foods I want to cook for you, but I can’t. Son, whenever I think about you, it hurts.” SSowan's (Cambodia) young wife and baby daughter, Akhil's (Pakistan) mother, and Yeyan's (Myanmar) father also sent them messages through the video.

The video was not the only gift the staff had prepared for the workers. When the workers opened the door to their room, their families were waiting for them. Akhil exclaimed, "Isn't it a dream?" and could not stop crying when seeing his mother’s face. After the shooting, the workers got to spend a few more days with their families.

Watching the foreign workers reuniting with their families after a long separation also struck a chord with viewers. Many people visited the 1박2일 webpage and filled it with compliments, emotional statements, and comments about how much they cried.