Ahn Hyun-bin and Kim Soo-hyun celebrate record sales and second pregnancy

Actors Ahn Hyun-bin and Kim Soo-hyun are celebrating a double blessing: the restaurant operated by the couple recorded its highest sales following an appearance on the MBC variety show 'I Live Alone,' and they have announced the pregnancy of their second child. Notably, the couple chose the nickname 'Honsan' for the baby, a playful nod to their special connection with the program.

On the 31st of last month, Ahn posted a reflective message on his personal channel, saying, “To share a few thoughts on having spent the busiest July and August in my 47 years of life.” He explained that for him, as he balances his acting career and restaurant management, the past two months were busier than ever.

The couple's restaurant located on Jeju Island was introduced to the public through the July 10 broadcast of 'I Live Alone.' Interest in the restaurant surged when Girls' Generation's Kwon Yu-ri, who was living in Jeju at the time, visited and was seen enjoying octopus ramen.

The impact of the broadcast translated directly into sales. Ahn revealed, “We appeared on 'I Live Alone' on July 10, 2026. Thanks to that, we recorded our highest sales.” He experienced firsthand the 'media exposure effect,' where a scene from daily life on television leads to actual consumer visits.

Ahn expressed his gratitude to Kwon, the production crew, his family, acquaintances, and the customers who visited the restaurant. He shared his heartfelt thanks, saying, “Thank you for doing well and holding on, and finally, a sincere thank you to the customers who visited Cheongho Restaurant. I won't forget you.”

The good news surrounding the restaurant did not stop there. At the end of his post, Ahn personally announced the news of his wife Kim Soo-hyun's second pregnancy, writing, “Lastly, Haedam's younger sibling is coming. The nickname is 'Honsan.' See you in March next year.”

Following their first child, the couple adopted the name of the variety program for their second child's nickname. This is interpreted as a way to link the program that brought the restaurant its peak sales with the new life coming to their family, preserving these special recent moments as a family memory.

It is also noteworthy that the appearance on 'I Live Alone' went beyond simple media exposure to result in actual business success. In variety programs, when a celebrity's visit and the food they eat are naturally introduced, it is not uncommon for viewers' curiosity to convert into actual visits and consumption. Especially for restaurants operating in specific regions, broadcast content can function as a type of tourism and dining information, effectively expanding brand awareness in a short period.

However, at the time Ahn and his wife expressed their gratitude, separate controversies surrounding 'I Live Alone' were ongoing. The program had recently been embroiled in suspicions regarding whether Jeon Hyeonmu's impromptu trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan, involved prior preparation or staging.

The production team initially stated that they did not receive any filming support or sponsorship, and as the controversy continued, they clarified through an additional statement on the 31st of last month that there was no monetary sponsorship or production cost support. However, they added that filming cooperation was received to ensure smooth proceedings.

Because of this, Ahn's recent expression of gratitude is drawing attention as a personal reflection on a broadcast appearance that brought practical changes to him and his family, independent of the controversies surrounding the program. This implies that even if a program is at the center of controversy, it is difficult to interpret the relationship between the performers and the production crew—who received actual help through the program—through the same lens.

Based on their shared profession as actors, Ahn and Kim continue their respective acting careers while simultaneously building another foundation for their lives through running a restaurant. Recently, Ahn appeared in ENA's 'Dream to You,' while Kim appeared in tvN's 'Spooky Romance.'

Through this news, the lives of the two are once again highlighted in a realistic way that transcends the framework of a 'celebrity couple.' With the broadcast, the restaurant recorded record sales, and a new family member is arriving. For the couple, the summer of 2026 has truly become a time of unexpected turning points in both work and family.