Lee Soo Geun Appointed Principal for 'Welcome to Soo Geun School' – A Generational Empathy Variety Show in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk

An online press conference was held on the 24th for 'Welcome to Soo Geun School,' a new 8-episode KBS2 variety program scheduled to premiere on the 25th. Attendees included PD Lee Won-sik, host Lee Soo Geun, comedian Lim Woo Il, and entertainer Lee Mi-joo, formerly of the girl group Lovelyz.

'Soo Geun School' features children and elderly individuals with an age gap of up to 70 years learning and communicating together in one classroom, creating empathy that transcends generational differences. The show is set in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, a region facing the crisis of local extinction due to ultra-aging populations and low birth rates. Lee Soo Geun, Lee Mi-joo, Lim Woo Il, and 12 residents of Uiseong will appear together.

Lee Soo Geun will serve as the principal, while Lee Mi-joo and Lim Woo Il will act as instructors, sharing various experiences with the elderly and children and facilitating intergenerational communication.

This project originated from 'My Friend is Seven Years Old,' which aired on KBS as a Lunar New Year special 10 years ago. PD Lee Won-sik explained the intention behind the planning, stating, "We visited Uiseong back then, and now, 10 years later, the population of Uiseong has decreased by about 7,000 to 8,000 people. With the elderly feeling lonely and children lacking friends, I planned this with the hope that the three teachers could create new experiences and memories for them."

He continued to express his trust, saying, "Lee Soo Geun has a natural ability to care for children and embrace people. I thought he was the perfect person to lead the program." Lee Soo Geun joked about his height, saying, "Since the program carries my name, the pressure is great. Fortunately, physically, my eye level is similar to the children's, so we communicate well."

Despite his transformation into a principal—which might feel unfamiliar for someone who has played the role of a student for nearly 10 years on JTBC's 'Knowing Bros'—he showed confidence, saying, "I am probably the entertainer who has heard the title 'Teacher' the most. I played the role of a teacher for a long time in the 'Bongsunga Academy' segment of 'Gag Concert,' and I met many students during my time as a recreation instructor. I have also communicated frequently with school teachers and directors, so it isn't awkward at all."

Lee Mi-joo agreed with Lee Soo Geun, noting, "He wasn't called principal for nothing. He truly did everything well."

Beyond a generational empathy project, this program is expected to contribute significantly to promoting the charms of Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, to the nation. This is because filming took place throughout Uiseong, capturing the beautiful nature, the lives of local residents, and the community culture.

The cast promoted the strengths of the program, stating, "It is a show that families can watch comfortably while wrapping up their day. The pleasant episodes that occur as the elderly and children spend time together are the unique differentiator of 'Soo Geun School.'"