The intersection of the South Korean music and television industries often yields moments of unexpected levity, particularly when former co-stars reunite on popular variety programs. A recent broadcast of tvN’s long-running variety show, Amazing Saturday, provided such a moment, capturing a humorous and candid exchange between Block B member P.O (Pyo Ji-hoon) and actress Kang Mina, formerly of the K-pop groups I.O.I and gugudan. The episode, which aired on June 27, 2026, saw the two idols-turned-actors revisiting their shared history on the set of the 2019 hit fantasy drama Hotel Del Luna. During the segment, Kang Mina revealed a previously unknown behind-the-scenes detail regarding a romantic scene they shared, leading to a visible display of embarrassment from P.O and amusement from the studio cast.
The Context of the Reunion: Amazing Saturday and ‘See You At Work Tomorrow!’
The episode featured Seo In Guk and Kang Mina as guest stars, appearing to promote their upcoming Monday-Tuesday drama series, See You At Work Tomorrow!. As is customary on Amazing Saturday, the program balances its core music-dictation games with talk segments designed to highlight the rapport between the guests and the permanent cast members. P.O, who has been a staple of the Amazing Saturday cast since 2019 (with a hiatus for his mandatory military service in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps), found himself at the center of the conversation when the show’s host, Boom, introduced a topic regarding a past professional connection.
The dialogue began when Boom addressed the studio, stating that he had received information regarding a past on-screen romance involving Kang Mina and a current cast member. The host’s leading question—"I heard there is someone here who kissed Kang Mina, and apparently, things became a little awkward afterward. Who is it?"—immediately shifted the focus toward the cast. P.O’s reaction was instantaneous; before Kang Mina could identify him, he stood up and preemptively apologized, confirming his involvement to the roar of laughter from his colleagues.
Chronology of the On-Screen Romance: ‘Hotel Del Luna’ (2019)
To understand the significance of the interaction, it is necessary to revisit the 2019 production of Hotel Del Luna. The drama, written by the acclaimed Hong Sisters and starring IU (Lee Ji-eun) and Yeo Jin-goo, was a commercial and critical juggernaut, peaking at a viewership rating of 12% nationwide—a significant achievement for a cable network series.
In the series, P.O portrayed Ji Hyun-joong, the polite and soft-hearted front desk attendant of the titular hotel who had been a ghost for 70 years. Kang Mina played the role of Jung Soo-jung (also known as Kim Yoo-na), a high school student whose body was inhabited by the spirit of a girl Hyun-joong befriended. Their characters formed a secondary romantic arc that provided much of the show’s emotional levity and eventual poignancy. The "kiss scene" in question occurred during the latter half of the series, marking a pivotal moment in their characters’ developing relationship. At the time of filming, both performers were still relatively early in their acting careers, transitioning from their primary identities as K-pop idols.
The Revelation: Nervous Manifestations on Set
During the Amazing Saturday broadcast, Kang Mina elaborated on the experience of filming the romantic scene with P.O. While the scene appeared seamless to viewers of the drama, the actress revealed a physical detail that P.O had likely hoped would remain unnoticed. "I didn’t know at the time," Kang Mina shared, "but I heard that during the kiss scene, he was wiggling his toes a lot."
This specific detail—the involuntary wiggling of toes—is often cited by performers as a physical manifestation of extreme nervousness or heightened adrenaline during scenes of intimacy. The revelation led to immediate teasing from the other cast members, including Shin Dong-yup and Hanhae, who jokingly questioned P.O’s level of immersion in the scene. Fellow guest Seo In Guk further noted that P.O’s ears had turned a deep shade of red upon the mention of the incident, a physiological response that P.O could not hide from the high-definition cameras.
P.O, visibly flustered, offered an honest explanation for his behavior. He admitted to being incredibly nervous, citing that it was his first time filming a scene of that nature. For many idol-actors, the transition from choreographed stage performances to the vulnerable requirements of romantic acting involves a steep learning curve. P.O’s admission highlights the professional pressure felt by young actors when tasked with delivering convincing romantic performances under the watchful eyes of a full production crew.
Technical and Professional Analysis: The Idol-Actor Transition
The "toe-wiggling" anecdote serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by "idols-turned-actors" in the South Korean entertainment industry. Both P.O and Kang Mina entered the industry through the rigorous K-pop trainee system—P.O through Block B in 2011 and Kang Mina through the survival show Produce 101 in 2016.
In the K-pop sphere, physical contact is often strictly managed and curated for fan consumption. Moving into the world of K-Dramas requires a different set of social and professional boundaries. When idols are cast in romantic roles, they must navigate not only the technical requirements of the script but also the public perception of their "idol" image.
Industry experts often note that the first "kiss scene" is a significant milestone for any actor, but for idols, it often carries additional weight. The nervousness described by P.O is a common sentiment among his peers. However, the fact that the two can now joke about the incident years later indicates a level of professional maturity and a lasting friendship formed during the production of Hotel Del Luna.
Supporting Data: The Success of ‘Hotel Del Luna’ and Its Cast
The enduring interest in the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Hotel Del Luna is supported by the drama’s continued popularity on global streaming platforms. Even years after its conclusion, clips of P.O and Kang Mina’s scenes continue to garner millions of views on YouTube and social media.
- Viewership Impact: At its peak, Hotel Del Luna was the most-watched tvN drama of 2019.
- Social Media Engagement: The clip of Kang Mina exposing P.O on Amazing Saturday trended on Korean portals like Naver and international platforms like X (formerly Twitter) within hours of the broadcast.
- Career Trajectories: Since the drama, both actors have seen significant career growth. P.O has become a mainstay in the variety world while maintaining his acting career with roles in Mouse and More Than Friends. Kang Mina has successfully pivoted to a full-time acting career, receiving praise for her roles in Moonshine and Welcome to Samdal-ri.
Official Responses and Public Sentiment
While there have been no formal statements from the actors’ respective agencies, the public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans of both Block B and the former members of gugudan have taken to online communities to express their delight at the reunion. The consensus among netizens is that the "toe-wiggling" incident adds a "humanizing" and "adorable" layer to P.O’s public persona, which is often characterized by his "purity" and "boyish charm" (frequently referred to as "beagle-like" in Korean media).
The interaction also serves as an effective promotional tool for Kang Mina’s new project, See You At Work Tomorrow!. By linking her past success in a beloved drama like Hotel Del Luna to her current activities, the production team leverages nostalgia to build anticipation for her new role alongside Seo In Guk.
Broader Implications for South Korean Variety Television
This incident underscores the strategic importance of variety shows in the South Korean entertainment ecosystem. Programs like Amazing Saturday, Running Man, and Knowing Bros serve as essential platforms for "storytelling marketing." By allowing actors to share personal anecdotes and "expose" one another in a controlled, humorous environment, these shows create a sense of intimacy between the celebrities and the audience.
Furthermore, the revelation of "behind-the-scenes" mishaps or nervous habits during filming helps to demystify the production process. It reminds viewers that despite the polished final product, the creation of television involves real human emotions and physical reactions. For P.O, the "flustered" reaction reinforces his brand as an authentic and relatable entertainer, which is a key component of his longevity in the competitive variety circuit.
Conclusion
The lighthearted exchange between P.O and Kang Mina on Amazing Saturday offers a refreshing look at the professional lives of South Korean entertainers. What started as a nervous habit during a high-pressure filming day five years ago has evolved into a cherished anecdote that delights fans and provides a moment of genuine comedy on national television. As both P.O and Kang Mina continue to expand their horizons in the acting world, this reunion serves as a testament to their shared history and the enduring bonds formed on the sets of Korea’s most iconic dramas. With Kang Mina’s new series on the horizon and P.O’s continued dominance in variety programming, both stars remain central figures in the evolving landscape of Hallyu entertainment.
