Oh My Girl’s Mimi opened up about how she felt during her early debut days when she had no individual schedules and was even excluded from a group commercial shoot.
On the November 2 broadcast of TV Chosun’s 'Heo Young Man’s Baekban Journey,' Oh My Girl member Mimi’s dining experience in Hoengseong was featured.
During the episode, veteran illustrator Heo Young Man said, "In the seven years I’ve been filming 'Baekban Journey,' today might be the first time I won’t be called 'Teacher.'"
He continued, "Mimi appeared, shouting 'Uncle!' to me, and introduced herself as 'Oh My Girl’s Mimi and Youngman Uncle’s niece.'" Hearing this, Mimi said with delight, "I can’t believe I’m appearing on 'Baekban Journey.' This is such an honor."
When Heo Young Man said, "I’ve prepared a lot of delicious food today," and jokingly added, "You're not the type to complain about food, right?" Mimi playfully replied, "How could the food be at fault? It’s my tongue that’s the problem," making everyone laugh.
Heo Young Man then remarked, "You’re on TV all the time these days. You appear more than the other Oh My Girl members, right?"
Mimi, who has become a variety show favorite through programs like 'Earth Arcade,' 'Sixth Sense,' and 'Heart Signal,' playfully replied, "Uncle, you’re still the real star," before admitting, "Yes, these days, that’s true."
Looking back on her early debut days, Mimi confessed that she only had group schedules and no personal ones.
"I didn’t have any individual activities at all. I was like a guard dog staying at home," she said. She also shared a story about being left out of a commercial shoot.
"One day, we were filming a commercial, and my members were all so 'fairy-like,' but I wasn’t that kind of style back then. My skin was a bit tanned, and I had a boyish vibe," she recalled.
She went on, "We were supposed to film a bright and refreshing cosmetics commercial, and I apparently didn’t fit the concept. I was the only one left in the waiting room while the other members went to film."
Hearing people’s reactions, even those of strangers from across the table, she agreed, saying, "Right? It was upsetting." Mimi added, "But I really tried my best before that. I practiced in front of the mirror to look as pure and innocent as I could, but it didn’t work. Back then, I felt a huge emptiness."
When Heo Young Man commented, "So, Mimi had that kind of pain too," she looked straight into the camera and declared, "But the one who endures survives. The one who endures wins. Life is about endurance."
Later, as a bowl of jang-kalguksu (soybean paste noodle soup) was served, Heo Young Man explained, "In the Yeongdong region of Gangwon Province, they usually use gochujang (red chili paste), while in Yeongseo areas like Wonju and Chuncheon, they use doenjang (soybean paste)." Mimi realized, "So that’s why it’s called jang-kalguksu—because it has that paste in it!"
As she began slurping the noodles, Heo asked, "It’s different from the kalguksu you’ve had in Seoul, right?" Mimi replied, "Totally different. It even tastes kind of like soybean paste soup," as she became captivated by its unique charm.
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