Yoon Eun-hye, the ‘original Hallyu idol,’ appears as a surprise guest judge on episode 43 of tvN’s ‘Handsome Guys,’ drawing laughs when a 1996-born cast member admits not knowing Baby V.O.X, prompting her to quip that many friends don’t realize she was a singer, with the episode slated for October 2. According to Sports HanKook, the segment adds a nostalgic layer as her variety-era presence meets a newer audience unfamiliar with first-wave K-pop.
Surprise guest energy
Her cameo anchors the return of the “Ready Action” game, where members act out scenario skits at numbered intensity levels and earn premium meat prizes if ranked correctly by the judge. The setup taps into her seasoned timing, amplifying anticipation for comic payoffs.
Generational moment
Fencer Oh Sang-uk’s candid remark about not really knowing Baby V.O.X triggers a humorous beat as Yoon asks to lower the air conditioning and notes that many peers didn’t know she was a singer. The exchange reframes her idol legacy through a light, self-aware lens.
Kim Jong-kook connection
Their much-loved ‘X-Man’ rapport-immortalized by the oft-replayed “Of course” moments-now settles into cultural memory with Kim Jong-kook’s recent marriage marking a graceful page-turn, leaving their shared variety-era storyline as a fond piece of pop-history ephemera. As the season turns, the pairing’s once-speculated chemistry reads like a well-kept autumn keepsake, warmly preserved by fans and reruns alike.