Kim Kwang-gyu Waited 33 Years for This One Day in Busan

For 33 years, actor Kim Kwang-gyu lived in Busan without ever eating at a restaurant or setting foot in an amusement park. On the March 10 episode of JTBC's Can't Do It Alone, his fellow cast members set out to change that — and the result was one of the most emotionally moving variety show moments of the year.

The 60-year-old actor, known for his long and beloved career in Korean entertainment, joined regulars Jeon Hyun-moo, Choo Sung-hoon, Lee Su-ji, and Lee Se-hee for a special retro youth trip through Busan. The journey was designed to give Kim the experiences his family's financial struggles had denied him growing up.

A Day of Firsts

The trip began at Songdo Beach, South Korea's first-ever public beach, where the group soaked in the ocean views and shared lighthearted moments. Lee Se-hee, moved by stories of Kim's lonely school days, insisted on taking group photos in various poses — creating the kind of carefree memories he never had the chance to make as a student.

From there, the cast embarked on a Busan food tour that would make any local proud. They visited a 36-year-old restaurant beloved by Busan taxi drivers, where they devoured plates of grilled codfish pork neck. The culinary adventure continued at a 70-year-old intestine barbecue institution, where the group savored specialties including honeycomb tripe, rice intestine, large intestine, and heart — all while trading stories and laughter over the sizzling grill.

The Amusement Park Dream

The emotional centerpiece of the episode came when the cast finally took Kim to an amusement park — his very first visit in six decades of life. Growing up in a household where every won counted, amusement parks had always been a luxury far beyond reach. Watching the veteran actor experience the simple joy of rides and carnival games for the first time proved deeply touching for both the cast and viewers alike.

The episode also delivered plenty of the show's signature humor. When the conversation turned to romance, the 60-year-old bachelor revealed his ideal type with a characteristic deadpan delivery that had everyone doubled over. Kim also playfully told Choo Sung-hoon that despite being four years older, his early hair loss made people assume otherwise — a self-deprecating joke that perfectly captured his down-to-earth charm.

More Than Entertainment

Can't Do It Alone has built its reputation on pairing celebrities with experiences they cannot tackle solo, but this Busan episode transcended the usual variety format. It became a genuine act of friendship — a group of colleagues pooling their energy to fill in the gaps of one man's childhood, one meal and one ride at a time. For viewers, it served as a powerful reminder that some of life's simplest pleasures carry the deepest meaning when they arrive after decades of waiting.