Actor Heo Sung-tae touched hearts by sharing warm compassion with ethnic Koreans (Koryoin) in Uzbekistan, using his Russian language skills as his greatest asset.
On November 13, after successfully wrapping up his role as the live broadcast host for "2026 SBS Hope TV," Heo Sung-tae shared his candid thoughts through a Q&A session about visiting Koryoin families in Uzbekistan alongside Good Neighbors. It marked his return to SBS to share positive influence, 15 years after first connecting with the network through SBS's "Miracle Audition," the program that led him from an office worker's life to an acting career.
Heo Sung-tae said, "When I visited Central Asia for travel in the past, I enjoyed the fun of using Russian, but this time it had a very different meaning because I could contribute to a good cause. It was so rewarding and joyful that I even thought, 'Is this why I studied Russian?'"
As the most memorable place, he pointed to the home of a grandmother who was raising two grandsons alone. The older grandson dreamed of becoming a chef, but the living environment was so poor that there was a hole in the ceiling. Heo Sung-tae expressed his sorrow, saying, "The house looked so dangerous and unsafe that I felt they urgently needed help."
He also shared a delightful anecdote from his time there. When Heo Sung-tae attended a local Chuseok event, locals and Koryoin who recognized him from the Netflix series "Squid Game" warmly welcomed him. With a laugh, he said, "Every household I visited prepared such a lavish spread of food that I felt bad leaving anything behind. I kept eating and ended up gaining 5 kg before returning. Since coming back to Korea, I have been working to lose it again."
Even amid his busy schedule after returning home, Heo Sung-tae voluntarily filmed a promotional video, urging viewers to show interest: "What might be a very small amount of money to us turns into tremendously huge and meaningful help over there. If you open your hearts just a little, it will become a tremendous source of strength for them."
Having wrapped up his philanthropic mission, Heo Sung-tae will continue his active acting career through the ENA drama "Crash 2," which premieres on November 16, as well as films slated for release next year.
Meanwhile, the stories of the Koryoin whom Heo Sung-tae met in person in Uzbekistan were featured on "2026 SBS Hope TV" on November 13. "Hope TV" continues from 8:30 AM on November 13 through November 14.
[Heo Sung-tae's Full Q&A]
Q. How do you feel after returning from Central Asia?
"I had visited Central Asia for travel before. Back then, it was an enjoyable trip where I could see beautiful nature and directly use the Russian I had learned. But this time, it felt very different in meaning because I could contribute, even in a small way, to a good cause. Although it is a small talent, it was deeply rewarding and joyful to travel all the way to Uzbekistan to meet Koryoin people and talk with them. It was so meaningful that I thought to myself, 'Is this why I studied Russian?'"
Q. What was the most memorable episode?
"Visiting the home of a grandmother living with her two grandsons remains the most memorable. The older grandson was a child who dreamed of becoming a chef, but when I went to their home, the living conditions were so poor that there was a hole in the ceiling. Even to my eyes, it looked so dangerous and unsafe that I thought, 'This place urgently needs help.' That is why that family has stayed in my memory the longest.
There is also a fun memory. When I attended a local Chuseok event, there were people who recognized me after watching 'Squid Game.' It was fascinating and gratifying that people recognized me even all the way in Uzbekistan. Also, everywhere I visited, they prepared such lavish spreads of food. Because they prepared it with so much heart, I felt bad leaving anything behind, so I kept eating and returned home having gained a lot of weight. Since returning to Korea, I have been losing weight again."
Q. How did your connection with 'Hope TV' begin?
"I was contacted for the first time through this program. I had an advance meeting and met the people from Good Neighbors for the first time as well. Because the purpose was to take part in a good cause together, I joined without much hesitation."
Q. Are there any social activities you want to pursue or areas where you would like to help in the future?
"To be honest, I hadn't specifically kept these kinds of activities in mind on a regular basis. I also wondered whether I was the kind of person who could step forward on my own and say, 'I need to do good deeds.' But because they reached out their hand first this time, it gave me the courage to participate. If similar opportunities arise in the future where I can contribute even a small bit of my strength, I would love to open my heart and gladly take part anytime."
Q. What have you been up to recently?
"I am currently doing promotional activities for the ENA drama 'Crash 2,' which premieres on November 16. I am also preparing for films to be released next year. While there are projects that are difficult to speak about in detail just yet, I plan to continue greeting everyone through a diverse range of works."
Q. Any words for those considering making a donation?
"What may be a small amount to us can translate into tremendously large and meaningful help locally. Even if it is not a huge resolution, opening your heart just a little can be a tremendous source of strength for them. I hope many people can show a little bit of interest."
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)
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