“Mokdong Mom” Jang Young-ran: “A War of Retakes? The Immersion Is Beyond Words” [Teachers 3] [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.

‘Mokdong Mom’ Jang Young-ran joins once again as an MC for Channel A’s ‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes.’ Jang not only conveys the raw intensity of the fierce survival scene unfolding among 100 retake students, but also reveals her unique affection for ‘Teachers.’

‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes,’ which premieres on the 15th, is a mega-scale college entrance exam survival reality show in which 100 retake students challenging their final CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) in life undergo overwhelming missions and fierce competition to select one ultimate winner. Jang Young-ran, who was loved as the “Empathy Fairy” since the first season, returns as an MC for ‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes’ alongside Jeon Hyun-moo and Mimiminu. Regarding ‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes,’ which has returned with a new concept as Korea’s first college entrance exam survival show and on an unprecedented scale, Jang Young-ran shared the intense atmosphere of the first recording session, saying, “It was a sight I had never encountered in my 24 to 25 years of broadcasting. The desperation and urgency felt in the eyes of the retake students were overwhelming.” She then urged viewers to watch the live broadcast, adding, “Words cannot fully express it. You will feel it when you watch the show.”

Q. ‘Teachers 3’ has expanded into a college entrance exam survival show for 100 retake students under the title ‘War of Retakes.’ What were your feelings when you first learned about the concept?

▶Throughout my time on ‘Teachers,’ I was amazed to see teachers provide solutions tailored to each student’s study method, and how participants gained confidence and improved their grades using those solutions. Seeing that grades improve when studying according to individualized solutions made me think, “I wish I had found ‘Teachers’ sooner? I could do it too.” A few years ago, at a company dinner, Teacher Jeung Seung-je said that after watching the transformation of past ‘Teachers’ participants, we should teach retake students proper study methods. He stated that our ultimate goal is university, so we should join forces to help them perform well on the CSAT and send them off to good universities. Honestly, I thought, “There’s no way you can run a survival show with retake students. It makes no sense.” But in the end, Channel A’s CP Kim Seung-hoon and Teacher Jeung Seung-je pulled it off.

Q. How was the chemistry among the three MCs? Please tell us about the role you are playing in ‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes.’

▶The chemistry is excellent. Mr. Jeon Hyun-moo, as a “Mokdong Kid,” understands the pain and difficulty of retaking exams, so he speaks on behalf of the retake students. Mimiminu, who is on her fifth attempt, is well-versed in everything from past to present college entrance exams, providing valuable information to both retake students and viewers. I represent mothers as the “Empathy Fairy,” “Empathy Auntie,” and “Empathy Mom.” With a warm heart, I understand and embrace the retake students. I encourage those who want to give up and offer discipline and frank advice to those who are arrogant, playing the role of the neighbor lady very well. Since my own children will enter the college entrance exam war in a few years, the immersion is no joke.

Q. Following Teacher Jeung Seung-je, new teachers Yoo Dae-jong and Kim Ji-young have joined. As an MC, I am curious about the chemistry of the “NEW T-Bengers” as you observed them directly on site.

▶Teacher Yoo Dae-jong had a round, friendly first impression, so I assumed his personality would be similarly gentle. In reality, he is a sharp fact-bombardment machine. However, when the students follow along well, he is infinitely warm, making him a bundle of contrasting charm. I was truly moved by the teacher’s smartness in explaining Korean language, which one should not sell their house to study, in an easier and more fun way. Teacher Kim Ji-young is tall and has sharp features, so I thought she would be extremely intimidating. However, I was surprised to find that she is softer-hearted and affectionate than anyone else. I thought she was managing her image on the show, but it turned out she is genuinely warm and gentle, which was a pleasant surprise. Teacher Jeung Seung-je, having participated in the planning, has more affection for the project and is approaching ‘War of Retakes’ with his life on the line. The three “T-Bengers” are in a structure where they compete with each other within the survival show, so they also keep their guard up. However, they engage in good-faith competition and boast top-tier chemistry. Each teacher’s charm is so overflowing that retake students sometimes envy them. I would like to request Ji-woo and Jun-woo as well. (Laughter)

Q. I am curious about the atmosphere on site during the first recording session when 100 retake students gathered in one place. What were your honest feelings when you first encountered the students’ eyes and intensity?

▶It was an experience I had never encountered in my 24 or 25 years of broadcasting. When I saw that scene, it was so massive that words could not describe it. I felt burning passion, desperation, and urgency in the eyes of the retake students. Moreover, beyond being hotter and more passionate than any other survival show, it was actually overwhelming. Because these are friends who have staked their lives on this, I cannot fully express it in words, which is a pity. You will likely feel it when you watch the broadcast.

Q. You are widely loved as the “Empathy Fairy” who embraces students like your own children with a parent’s heart. After meeting 100 retake students, what was the most heartbreaking or memorable moment?

▶Honestly, I found the survival format very difficult. Even after the first recording ended, it was heartbreaking to see retake students who could not go home and could not bring themselves to leave due to regret. Also, as time passed and the retake students gradually became physically and mentally exhausted, my heart ached a lot. It must be hard for the retake students themselves, but their parents, who have to watch helplessly without being able to study on their behalf, are also struggling, so I deeply empathized with them.

Q. I heard that among the 100th retake students, there are diverse stories that bring tears. Please share the most shocking or heart-wrenching story during recording, or a memorable retake student.

▶The story that hurt my heart the most was about a student who could not take the CSAT because he had to donate an organ to his father. He was a good student, and it was heartbreaking to hear how much his parents felt sorry for him. Also, there is a friend I personally root for who achieved first place in her school without private tutoring. That friend’s performance is remarkable. There are many other diverse stories, but you will all empathize when you meet them.

Q. From the perspective of a parent with children, seeing kids who have faced their first major trial in life and are challenging retakes, is there a message you would like to convey to parents nationwide?

▶I believe that because they chose retakes not because someone pushed them, but because they regretted their results and wanted to go to a better university to achieve their dreams, the urgency and desperation are different. Today’s children lack a sense of “self.” Because parents tell them to study and instill dreams in them, they do not know why they should study, which seems to make studying difficult. What I feel watching retake students is that first, mental strength; second, physical stamina; and third, unlimited belief and encouragement from parents are necessary. Ultimately, studying is something the student does themselves. I believe parents’ role is to trust their children, find their talents, cheer for them, and help them discover their dreams. As a mother who still has much to learn, I am learning a lot from this ‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes.’ Please give lots of love to ‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes,’ which is even better when watched by the whole family.

Q. What are the key viewing points that viewers should most immerse themselves in for this ‘Teachers 3: War of Retakes’?

▶It is Korea’s first and only program of its kind. You do not need to deliberately immerse yourself; you will be immersed the moment you turn it on. Even when I watch VCRs that are one or two hours long, they feel like only five or ten minutes. It is not a fabricated story but sincerity itself, so the immersion will be no joke. Additionally, it contains all joys and sorrows: each retake student’s character, friendships with peers, competition, battles with oneself, physical endurance battles, and even their insistence on their own methods within the “T-Bengers’” solutions. Because they have staked their entire lives on this, it is truly spectacular.

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*This content was translated by AI.