"Home Alone" PD Talks About Jun Hyun Moo's Return, Cast's Bullying Rumors, And SHINee's Key's Charms

Oct 26, 2021

“Home Alone” (“I Live Alone”) producing director (PD) Heo Hang recently discussed Jun Hyun Moo’s return, rumors of bullying among the cast, and why she cast SHINee’s Key.

MBC’s “Home Alone” first aired in 2013 and is a documentary-like variety show featuring celebrities who live by themselves. Earlier this year, the program’s PD changed from Hwang Ji Young to Heo Hang and the show’s current cast (known as the Rainbow Club) includes Jun Hyun Moo, Kian 84, Park Na Rae, Henry, Sung Hoon, MAMAMOO‘s Hwasa, and SHINee’s Key.

In March 2019, following Jun Hyun Moo’s break up with Han Hye Jin, another “Home Alone” cast member at the time, both took a break from the show. Jun Hyun Moo only made his return this year, when he joined the cast for the program’s 400th episode. PD Heo Hang commented, “Jun Hyun Moo is a member who’s been here since the very first ‘Home Alone’ cast. That’s why I thought that Jun Hyun Moo had symbolism. Jun Hyun Moo has taken rests for personal reasons, but even when I was a viewer, I thought that he was someone who had left briefly and would return eventually.”

She continued, “Once I came here as the ‘Home Alone’ PD, I thought it’d be good for him to return to his position as the club president, so I was the one to call him first. It couldn’t have been an easy decision for him but thankfully, after careful consideration, he returned for our 400th episode special. Regarding that aspect, I’m always thankful and he’s playing a big role.”

While Jun Hyun Moo was away, Park Na Rae unofficially fulfilled his MC role, making viewers wonder whether she would have to surrender the position once he returned. Regarding these concerns, Heo Hang commented, “Depending on who is watching, the interpretation can be different. ‘Home Alone’ did not have an official main MC. When club president Jun went on a break, we never picked a new club president. They were the same Rainbow Club members without any mains, subs, or panel. I didn’t think that Park Na Rae’s position had changed. Although Jun Hyun Moo’s return has changed the image, it’s just the composition in which the Rainbow Club members talk amongst themselves.”

Late in the summer, “Home Alone” was swept up in a controversy after rumors of the cast bullying Kian 84 began circulating. The PD remarked, “Kian 84 is just Kian 84 as he is. He’s appearing on ‘Home Alone’ as a webtoon writer and not a celebrity. We’re careful when judging people, so we take caution even when writing captions.”

She explained that many people are interested in Kian 84’s “Home Alone” appearances because they relate to him and continued, “From the perspective of a producer, that’s why I want to share more of Kian 84’s story.” She added, “When we draw one’s everyday life, we believe that we’re portraying that person in the most natural way.”

The PD shared, “I think there are aspects we can’t express in words, and things that are conveyed different from our intentions because of poor communication. The Rainbow Club members have a really strong and close friendship. Even Key and Kian 84 treat each other affectionately. It takes time to show that. If you slowly watch over our program, you’ll be able to see that they’re not ignoring Kian 84. Online content can be largely reproduced. The circulating rumors are not true and you’ll be able to confirm that if you watch the broadcast.”

She also explained that after the year they’ve had, her, as well as the writers and the marketing team, are observing reactions from reporters and viewers, and are aware that people are disappointed in the show. Since viewers can react sensitively to the show’s portrayal of one’s everyday life, Heo Hang shared her determination to make up for viewers’ discomfort and commented, “We’re trying our best. I think it’s the producer’s homework to create a show that can be watched more comfortably and more enjoyably.”

Heo Hang was then asked whether the cast members found these rumors awkward or uncomfortable. She replied, “Although the members’ tight friendship has not changed, because they are human, I don’t think they were completely unfazed by the sudden flood of malicious comments.”

The PD added, “It felt like I was watching the cast get hurt as humans due to our inattentive production, which made me feel really hurt as a person. Now, I think the members are okay because many people have resolved these misunderstandings. In the future, we will be able to accept criticism regarding the program, but we ask that you be careful with things that can individually harm our cast members.”

After becoming PD, Heo Hang added SHINee’s Key to the Rainbow Club. She commented, “Key is a top Korean idol both in name and in reality, and is an idol who’s been active for many years. One idol stereotype is that they do not refreshingly reveal their personal lives. From the day he did his ‘Rainbow Live,’ Key has completely broken that stereotype. Without exception, he revealed his house, lifestyle, and even past stories. Because he shared so many of his stories, I really liked his attitude towards ‘Home Alone’ and had a great first impression.”

When asked to pick Key’s charms as a Rainbow Club member, Heo Hang responded, “As a newcomer, Key is doing really great in the role of someone who participates in everything. In the future, I think he’ll become a member who will be able to tell his thrilling stories. Idols have the image of being hard to approach but Key is so easygoing and showcases the image of getting his work done on his own.” She then added that this week’s broadcast will feature part two of the chemistry between Key and Kian 84, also affectionately known as the “Key-an” brothers.