“They always love it when you call them pretty.” (Cha Seung-won)

From a ‘folder star’ to a friendly dining companion. She beams at compliments on her beauty, which she must have heard all her life. She candidly confesses her fan love for idols and even her sinus issues.

Actress Kim Hee-sun is showcasing her variety show skills on tvN’s ‘Shall We Have a Meal?’ Her honest and bold charm is captivating not only older generations but also the MZ generation.

The program’s popularity is being driven largely by Kim Hee-sun’s influence. Her presence has positively impacted the show’s ratings. ‘Shall We Have a Meal?’ has topped the cable and general programming channels’ same time slot for seven consecutive weeks.

There are three main reasons why viewers are thrilled by Kim Hee-sun: her candid conversations with various dining companions, her fashion style that people want to emulate, and her exceptional social skills.

Kim Hee-sun leads the ‘Shall We Have a Meal?’ impromptu gatherings with Lee Soo-geun, Lee Eun-ji, and ‘The Boyz’ Younghoon. They have visited places such as Mangwon-dong, Seongsu-dong, Cheongdam-dong, Hannam-dong, and Daehak-ro in Seoul.

She has mobilized her star-studded network, bringing together people who are rarely seen on variety shows. She had engaging conversations with Song Yoon-ah, Han Seon-hwa, Kim Nam-hee, Yoo Hae-jin, Jin Seon-kyu, Kim Kwang-kyu, and more.

The revelations from her close friends added to the fun. Jo Hye-ryun reminisced about the days of filming the drama ‘Mister Q,’ saying, “We really went out to nightclubs a lot,” which brought laughter.

Ryoo Seung-soo shared a thrilling story about almost making a bowel mistake after eating Kim Hee-sun’s prunes. This scene was released as ‘Kim Hee-sun Ryoo Seung-soo Assassination Attempt’ shorts, garnering high views.

Kim Hee-sun’s fashion is also a highlight of ‘Shall We Have a Meal?’. She tries a different style in every episode, like showing her personality by pairing a jacket with a bucket hat and braided hair.

She perfectly pulled off not only retro styles but also geek-chic fashion. Matching glasses with a shirt, she created an intellectual yet trendy look.

Her lovely mood can’t be left out either. She wore a white shirt and tennis skirt, topping off her half-bun hairstyle with a ribbon pin to add a touch of loveliness.

Above all, Kim Hee-sun’s unique reactions are receiving praise. Her focused gaze and bright smile make viewers feel good as well.

Her sociability is also top-notch. She quickly befriended new dining companions. For example, in episode 7, when it started raining during filming, she shared her umbrella with Hyoyeon and Jo Ah-ram.

She warmly approached people she met during neighborhood tours. In episode 2, she paid for food to celebrate a couple’s birthday, surprising everyone by using her personal credit card.

The production team said, “Kim Hee-sun is receiving great responses from a wide age range. Her charm and wit will shine even more in the last episode set in Seocho-gu.”

Meanwhile, the final episode of ‘Shall We Have a Meal?’ will air at 8:40 PM on the 11th.

<Photo=tvN>