North Korean Defector Lee Soon-sil Transforms into IVE's Jang Won-young

Lee Soon-sil, a North Korean defector, is set to transform into IVE member Jang Won-young on the upcoming episode of KBS2's variety show 'The Boss Has Donkey Ears,' airing on the 6th.

In the episode, Lee reveals her unconventional hair-washing routine, which involves using 'laundry soap and dishwashing liquid,' sparking curiosity about her unique methods.

Lee, who uses a pet grooming clipper for her self-haircuts, impresses with her unexpected hairstyling skills. Jeon Hyun-moo comments, “The hairstyle resembles a Bichon, so the pet clipper seems like a great choice.” However, Lee's main concern isn't her hairstyle but her hair loss. She skillfully applies laundry soap to her hair, followed by dishwashing liquid, to wash her hair.

Kim Sook, shocked, asks, “You wash your hair with laundry soap?” Lee insists, “Shampoo doesn’t make that squeaky sound. In North Korea, everyone used laundry soap for hair washing.” Despite anchor Um Ji-in's concerns about the harshness, Lee confidently states, “It’s not harsh. You should try it.”

The laundry soap Lee uses is covered with black hair, raising suspicions of hair loss. Nevertheless, Lee claims, “I wash with dishwashing liquid because my hair falls out. In North Korea, using laundry soap prevented hair loss,” while admitting, “Lately, I’ve been losing a lot of hair,” revealing her stress-induced hair loss.

Eventually, Lee turns to wigs, finding humor in her new obsession. Jeon Hyun-moo jokes, “I thought you had a mushroom on your head. It’s a poisonous mushroom!” Choosing a wig styled like Jang Won-young’s hair, Lee exclaims, “Wow, it’s so shiny,” expressing satisfaction with her long-haired transformation. Jeon Hyun-moo responds, “You look like Chunhyang,” while Park Myung-soo adds, “Not Chunhyang, more like Wolmae,” unable to contain his laughter. Lee, pleased with her appearance in a selfie app, declares, “I’m just like Jang Won-young.”

However, when her husband, who also suffers from severe hair loss, tries on a wig, Lee objects, saying, “This is a capitalist hairstyle. It’s too expensive, absolutely not,” leaving her husband disappointed.

Whether Lee, who has delved into the world of capitalist wigs due to stress-induced hair loss, can escape the harshness of laundry soap and regain a healthy hairstyle will be revealed in the full broadcast of 'The Boss Has Donkey Ears.'

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr