Bae Nara Ran Across an Entire Island for One Tiny Octopus

Actress Bae Nara proved that solo camping is anything but quiet when she appeared on MBC's "I Live Alone" and turned a peaceful island getaway into an all-out sprint for seasonal baby octopus. Episode 639, which aired on March 20 at 11:10 PM KST, captured the 4-year camping veteran in her element — pitching tents, running through rice paddies, and delivering one of the most entertaining guest appearances the show has seen this year.

Two months after publicly confirming her relationship with musical theater actor Han Jae-ah on January 30, Bae returned to the small screen radiating a warmth and energy that immediately won over both the studio panel and viewers at home. But it was her relentless quest for jukkumi — the prized baby octopus that signals the arrival of spring in Korea — that stole the entire episode.

A Secret Hideout and a "Second Home" in the Wild

Bae Nara is no casual weekend camper. With four years of dedicated solo camping under her belt, she has earned the unofficial title of "camping master" among her circle of friends, and Episode 639 showed exactly why. The actress revealed that she maintains a semi-permanent setup at her favorite camping spot — a personal hideout she affectionately calls her "second home."

Cameras followed her as she navigated the site with the ease of someone walking through their own living room. Every piece of gear had its designated place. Every routine was practiced to perfection. From the way she assembled her shelter to the meticulous arrangement of her outdoor kitchen, it was clear that this was not a hobby for Bae — it was a lifestyle.

What surprised viewers most, however, was the sheer physicality of her camping routine. Bae incorporates regular running into her outdoor schedule, treating the surrounding mountains and trails as her personal gym. The episode captured her jogging through misty mountain paths at dawn, a routine she described as essential to her solo camping experience.

The Great Octopus Hunt That Had Everyone Screaming

The undisputed highlight of the episode was Bae Nara's ambitious mission to find jukkumi, the seasonal baby octopus that Korean food lovers eagerly anticipate every spring. What began as a simple foraging plan quickly escalated into a full-scale island adventure that had the studio panel — including SHINee's Minho and Kangnam — alternating between laughter and disbelief.

Armed with nothing but determination and a bucket, Bae set off across the island's coastline in search of the elusive spring delicacy. When her initial spots came up empty, she refused to give up. Instead, she expanded her search radius dramatically, running through rice paddies, scrambling over rocky shores, and eventually covering what appeared to be the entire circumference of the island on foot.

The cameras captured every breathless moment — Bae sprinting between tidal pools, peering under rocks with the focus of a detective on a case, and calling out updates to no one in particular as she searched. Her energy was infectious, and the editing team leaned into the comedy of the situation, amplifying the growing absurdity of one woman versus an entire ocean's worth of hiding octopuses.

Then came what the show teased as "shocking news" — a moment of devastation during the hunt that left Bae visibly stunned. The revelation that her exhaustive search might have been in vain added a layer of comedic heartbreak that resonated with anyone who has ever chased something just slightly out of reach. The panel's reactions in the studio were equally dramatic, with Minho and Kangnam doubling over at the sheer commitment Bae had shown only to face potential disappointment.

Life After the Dating Announcement

Bae Nara's appearance on "I Live Alone" carried additional significance as her first major variety show feature since confirming her relationship with Han Jae-ah in late January. Han, a respected musical theater actor born in 1992 — one year younger than Bae, who was born in 1991 — became the subject of widespread public interest when the couple went official.

Rather than shying away from her personal life, Bae's appearance on the show painted a picture of someone completely comfortable in her own skin. Her solo camping adventure demonstrated that her identity extends far beyond any relationship status. She was funny, fearless, and entirely self-sufficient in the wilderness — qualities that clearly resonated with the show's audience.

The episode also featured a heartwarming segment where Bae gathered with close friends for a dinner, offering a glimpse into her social life beyond the campsite. The contrast between her solitary mountain runs and the lively dinner table conversation showcased the balance she has struck between independence and connection — a theme that sits at the very heart of what "I Live Alone" has always aimed to celebrate.

Viewers Flood Her DMs and a Show in Transition

The response to Bae Nara's episode was immediate and enthusiastic. Following the broadcast, the actress reported receiving a flood of direct messages from viewers who were charmed by her camping expertise and entertained by her octopus misadventure. Many expressed surprise at discovering this adventurous side of an actress they previously knew only through her drama roles.

Her appearance comes at a pivotal moment for "I Live Alone" itself. The show, one of Korea's longest-running variety programs dedicated to exploring the daily lives of celebrities who live alone, underwent a significant transition in 2026. Following the departures of longtime fixtures Park Na-rae and SHINee's Key, the program has been actively refreshing its cast and energy. Panel members like Minho and Kangnam have stepped into larger roles, and guest appearances like Bae's have helped establish the show's new identity.

The fresh dynamic appears to be working. Episodes featuring guests with unexpected hobbies and genuine personalities — rather than scripted entertainment personas — have given the 2026 season a rawer, more authentic feel. Bae Nara's unfiltered camping enthusiasm fit perfectly into this new direction.

For variety show fans, her episode served as a reminder of what makes "I Live Alone" enduringly popular: the simple joy of watching someone live their life with passion, whether that means maintaining a secret camping hideout, running through mountains at sunrise, or sprinting across an entire island in pursuit of a tiny octopus that may or may not want to be found.

With spring now in full swing across Korea, Bae Nara's jukkumi quest also tapped into a seasonal mood that viewers could immediately relate to. The baby octopus, celebrated as one of the quintessential tastes of the Korean spring, transformed from a simple ingredient into a symbol of the kind of joyful, slightly absurd determination that makes solo living — and solo camping — worth every unpredictable moment.