MBC’s new variety show Sora and Jinkyung is fueling hype ahead of its premiere by dropping a candid interview with Lee So-ra and Hong Jin-kyung. Reuniting after 15 years, the duo bare their hearts as they set their sights on a bold new goal: Paris Fashion Week.
In the interview released on the 22nd, Lee So-ra explained why she decided to meet Hong Jin-kyung again: "We hadn’t been in close touch, but as time passed I grew curious about how she was living," she said. "Wanting to see her in person is what made me decide to join the show." Hong Jin-kyung added, "It turns out it was this easy to meet—so why didn’t I reach out first?" and confessed, "I felt regret over all the time that had gone by." Despite the long gap, their enduring bond adds an emotional punch.
On the show’s core challenge—Paris Fashion Week—their excitement came mixed with pressure. Lee So-ra, 56, admitted, "When I first heard the offer, I thought it wouldn’t be easy, realistically," recalling, "I still remember the intense experiences from my modeling days." Yet she shared, "Through this challenge, I felt that maybe some old wounds could finally heal," adding, "I want to value the act of challenging itself more than the result."
Hong Jin-kyung didn’t hide the weight of stepping back into modeling either. "I felt huge pressure thinking, what if I fail every audition on a show the whole nation is watching?" she confessed.
They also spoke about the gritty realities on the ground in Paris. Lee So-ra said, "The hardest part was the endless waiting until castings were finalized," adding, "Going through that helped me understand what my juniors face when they work overseas." Hong Jin-kyung noted, "Unlike other variety shows, this one demanded that I show my unfiltered self," and vowed, "I gave it everything I had every single day. Viewers will see a more serious and honest side of me than before."
Sora and Jinkyung is a reality variety show following first-generation supermodels of the 1990s, Lee So-ra and Hong Jin-kyung, as they return to the runway. The emotional arc of two veterans, who’ve long walked separate paths, reuniting to take on a world-class stage is the key draw.
More than just entertainment, their journey to break through age and limits to chase their dreams again is already sparking buzz over the impact it may leave. Sora and Jinkyung premieres on the 26th at 9:10 p.m.