Korean Soccer Legend Lee Young-pyo Brings Comedic Charm to Survival Show

South Korean football legend Lee Young-pyo proved he’s not just a powerhouse on the field but an entertainer in the wild, as he led a compelling and humorous episode of the MBC variety show ‘Lucky to Get Some Rest’. Airing on May 12, the 48th episode featured Lee as the head of a pop-up restaurant team on a remote island alongside fellow sports icon Ahn Jung-hwan, bringing the perfect mix of team dynamics and comedy to viewers.

Joining Lee were former footballer Seol Ki-hyeon, comedian Jo Hye-ryun, broadcaster Jo Woo-jong, and celebrity chef Jung Ho-young. Together, they braved the elements and embarked on missions including deep-sea fishing, clam digging, and cooking a full seafood feast from scratch. Lee’s well-known sincerity clashed delightfully with his unintentional clumsiness, delivering big laughs, especially during awkward moments in clam fishing and seafood prepping.

One of the episode’s highlights was their abundant flounder catch, where Lee’s missteps only added to the fun. A minor conflict emerged between Lee and chef Jung Ho-young over octopus preparation, injecting tension and realism into the light-hearted show. Yet, teamwork prevailed as the island crew successfully executed a gourmet seafood menu, concluding with a heartwarming bowl of doenjang (soybean paste) seafood noodle soup made from flounder bone broth.

According to Nielsen Korea, the show topped viewership charts for Monday variety programming, affirming its popularity among Korean audiences. The preview for the next episode hinted at Lee Young-pyo’s surprising transformation from a bumbling leader to a game-changing contributor, raising anticipation for his return.

From field to forest, Lee Young-pyo continues to score—this time, laughs and hearts—in unexpected places.