The primary reason for the spike in Two Days, Three Nights’ ratings was the curiosity surrounding “Lee Ha-eun.”
People who had only seen her act as scripted characters in dramas were eager to find out what she’d be like on a real variety show.
“Huh? Why are you suddenly turning on the TV?”
“Lee Ha-eun’s a guest on Two Days, Three Nights this week. Didn’t you know?”
“Lee Ha-eun? Do you mean the actress from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds? Or the singer who debuted recently?”
“Mom, they’re the same person.”
Even people who didn’t usually watch Two Days, Three Nights found themselves sitting in front of the TV to watch the show.
Starting with her energetic sprint toward the traditional market the moment the PD signaled the start of the mission...
“…One bag of chrysanthemum bread, please….”
...and her embarrassed request for the bread she had been desperately searching for, her flushed face and shy demeanor were all broadcasted.
“Oh my, is she blushing because of the chrysanthemum bread? She’s adorable.”
“Wait, didn’t you say yesterday that she looked scary while watching The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds?”
“Well, dramas and variety shows are different.”
Families gathered in their living rooms to watch Two Days, Three Nights together, exchanging such remarks. Meanwhile, online communities that had already been abuzz with talk of Ha-eun began discussing this new side of her.
Every aspect of Ha-eun’s appearance was unexpected.
No one could predict what she might say or do next.
This unique charm of Ha-eun began shaping a positive buzz around her.
Her distinctive personality amidst the noise made her stand out even more.
Perhaps that’s why...
“Why… isn’t the rating dropping?”
“Exactly. I thought the ratings would spike briefly and then fall back.”
Contrary to expectations, Two Days, Three Nights’ ratings didn’t drop back to single digits.
Instead, entertainment articles covering the show began piling up.
As a result, not only Ha-eun but also the episode of Two Days, Three Nights she appeared on became a hot topic.
The show’s production team, confused but excited, began monitoring audience reactions to the latest episode.
After the opening mission wrapped up, the broadcast moved on to the cast riding a bus.
Most of the conversations revolved around Yoo Sung-jae sharing small anecdotes from the filming of The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds.
To make sure Ha-eun, who had been mostly silent, got some screen time, Jang Sung-ho asked her a question.
“You were the first one to get to the market, but why were you the last one back?”
“Ah, um… I couldn’t find the bakery that sold chrysanthemum bread….”
“Huh? A bakery? All of a sudden?”
As Ha-eun’s ears turned faintly red again, the production team’s editing added a white hat and a dress overlay onto her, making her look like a noble lady.
Though it was meant to enhance Ha-eun’s character for comedic effect,
screenshots of the edited broadcast began circulating online, sparking various rumors.
ㄴ “Keep it up, and it’s off to the guillotine for you!”
After a while, when the cast arrived at the restaurant, Ha-eun finished her meal first and sat quietly.
Jang Sung-ho seized the moment to ask her about the audition for her role in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds.
“How many actors auditioned for the role of Yeong-wol?”
“Hmm… I think about 40 people?”
“Were all of them older than you?”
“Ah, yes. I don’t think I saw anyone younger than me.”
Naturally, online discussions continued swirling around Ha-eun.
Though much of the speculation wasn’t based on fact, it only added to the buzz surrounding her.
Later, when the cast reached the outdoor campsite, Ha-eun participated in a ping-pong game where the losing team would face the punishment of sleeping outdoors.
Unfortunately, her smashes, though powerful, consistently resulted in out-of-bounds shots.
“Lee Ha-eun & Yoo Sung-jae’s team scores again... an OUT!!”
“Ahhh! Ha-eun, this is ping-pong, not baseball!!”
Despite her earnest effort, her repeated out-of-bounds shots cost her team the game, leading to her and Yoo Sung-jae being selected for the outdoor sleeping punishment.
The cast decided to give the guests one last chance to avoid the punishment through a game of rock-paper-scissors.
Standing back-to-back, Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae raised their hands as the countdown began...
“To be continued in one minute.”
ㄴ “Does KBC have ad blockers? No? Didn’t think so.”
Despite the sudden ad break, the ratings didn’t drop.
In fact, they steadily climbed.
When the broadcast resumed, it was revealed that Ha-eun had lost the game.
The screen then showed her heading to the tent alone, where she eventually fell asleep.
The reason for the buzz that followed?
Unlike other guests, Ha-eun seemed perfectly comfortable sleeping in the outdoor tent.
This stark contrast to past guests sparked even more online chatter.
When Ha-eun woke up at 6:30 a.m., the VJ asked her a question.
“Do you usually wake up this early?”
“I have to get ready for school, so I wake up early to avoid being late.”
Even the short interview momentarily silenced the previously noisy online communities.
“Wow, that’s impressive. She even manages to study well despite her busy schedule.”
“...Why are you looking at me when you say that?”
“Well, no reason. I was just wondering why my son, who has no schedule, can’t even—”
Unintentionally, Ha-eun’s comments left countless parents comparing her to their own children.
For a brief moment, her image shifted from endearing to irritating.
Finally, the highlight mission of the episode—watermelon harvesting—began.
Ha-eun, lucky to be assigned the smallest load, followed the others to the watermelon field.
As Ha-eun easily lifted large watermelons into her cart, the buzz reignited.
With her cart full, Ha-eun delivered her watermelons and successfully completed her mission.
She then decided to help Yoo Sung-jae, who hadn’t finished yet.
As the camera captured the two working together, it seemed almost cinematic.
Soon after, articles flooded the internet:
Even Ha-eun, watching the broadcast with her father later, had to endure his teasing.
“Just wondering… Yoo Sung-jae isn’t, you know…”
“…Say that one more time, and I’ll seriously get mad.”
“Hmm, they say strong denial is strong confirmation…”
“I’m seriously getting mad.”
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry!”