Image to help understand the article
South Korean sibling duo AKMU offered viewers a rare look inside their home, independent company and concert production process during the 422nd episode of MBC’s variety show “Omniscient Interfering View,” broadcast Oct. 31.
The episode, featuring brother Lee Chan-hyuk and sister Lee Su-hyun, recorded a 2.1% rating among viewers ages 20 to 54, ranking first among entertainment programs in its time slot, according to Nielsen Korea figures released by MBC. Ratings peaked at 4.6% during a scene in which Lee Chan-hyuk carefully inspected his sister’s stage costume.
Clips of the siblings also drew substantial online interest. A tour of their three-story home posted Nov. 1 by an official MBC channel had 926,864 views that day, while a preview uploaded Oct. 30 had 503,791 views.
A Sibling Duo at Home
AKMU debuted in April 2014 with the album “PLAY” and has since become one of South Korea’s best-known pop duos. The siblings have received honors including best pop song at the Korean Music Awards. They now work through Lee Chan-hyuk’s company, EOI SAEMTEO, whose Korean name roughly evokes a “spring of inspiration.”
The pair began living together two years ago at Lee Chan-hyuk’s suggestion. Their three-story house overlooks Bugaksan, a mountain in central Seoul. The first floor contains the kitchen, living room and dining area; the second has exercise and karaoke rooms; and the third holds their bedrooms and a shared office.
Despite sharing the house, they showed the familiar rhythms of siblings living largely separate lives. In one comic moment, Lee Chan-hyuk called his sister simply to ask where the cooking oil was kept.
An Unusual Workplace
The program also introduced the company’s headquarters and its playful internal culture. Lee Chan-hyuk is addressed by a title meaning “head of the spring,” Lee Su-hyun is called “princess,” and employees are known as “inspiration elders.” The company has 10 people, including the two performers.
Its benefits include a four-day workweek and housing assistance. The company pays both the security deposit and monthly rent for AKMU’s manager, a potentially significant benefit in South Korea, where rental agreements often require large upfront deposits.
Employees are also required to attend a weekly swing-dance class together. Lee Chan-hyuk covers the cost, but said skipping the sessions is not allowed, even after working late the previous night.
“I want to share what I have gained from living that way,” he said. Asked whether applicants are told about the rule during interviews, he said they are. He described the classes as an investment in creativity rather than recreation, arguing that people must do something different if they want to make something different.
Lee Chan-hyuk said he recruited the group’s manager after noticing that he enjoyed the demands of the job. The manager joined YG Entertainment in 2022, worked with another team for about three years and began overseeing AKMU in 2025. Lee described himself as a workaholic whose constant schedule can be difficult to follow.
Building “Paradise of Rumors”
The episode centered on “Paradise of Rumors,” AKMU’s first solo concert since becoming independent. Lee Chan-hyuk served as overall director and conceived a 360-degree, doughnut-shaped stage, along with sets inspired by desert rocks and underwater creatures.
He first developed the images through sketches and paper miniatures, then closely supervised their transformation into a full-scale production. The pressure took a physical toll: Lee said he had been unable to sleep because of spasms beginning a week before the concert and had lost 5 kilograms, about 11 pounds, in one month.
During the show, AKMU entered in a 40-year-old classic car and performed before about 30,000 people. The siblings faced each other for “How People Move,” whose Korean title refers to joy, sadness and a beautiful heart, and closed with “Last Goodbye.”
Supporting Lee Su-hyun’s Recovery
The broadcast also explored Lee Su-hyun’s recovery from a difficult period. Lee Chan-hyuk said the siblings began staying together in Gapyeong, outside Seoul, on Jan. 1. They established a routine that included morning and evening exercise, healthy meals and limits on cellphone use.
“At that time, my top priority had to be Su-hyun’s physical and emotional recovery,” he said.
During the concert, Lee Su-hyun reflected on overcoming that period and made a promise to herself: “I will never give up on loving myself again.”
Tour Dates Ahead
The “Paradise of Rumors” tour is scheduled to continue Nov. 7 at the Gangneung Speed Skating Oval in Gangneung Olympic Park. Additional performances are planned beginning Dec. 19 at BEXCO in Busan and on Dec. 25 at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju.
“Omniscient Interfering View” airs Saturdays at 11:10 p.m. on MBC.
Comments
Post a Comment