Noh Hong-chul Moved to Tears by Ven. Pomnyun's Smile on 'Monk and Guest': "Reminds Me of My Father"

Noh Hong-chul, appearing on SBS's 'Pomnyun Road: Monk and Guest,' finds himself deeply moved as he sees his own father in the warm demeanor of Ven. Pomnyun.

The upcoming episode of SBS's 'Pomnyun Road: Monk and Guest' (hereinafter 'Monk and Guest'), airing on Tuesday, June 16, at 9 p.m., will feature a special day for the cast as they revisit Kolkata, the starting point of their journey in India.

On this day, the guests headed to Kolkata following a suggestion from Ven. Pomnyun to reflect on how their mindsets have changed since they first arrived in India. Woo-chan, the youngest member who joined the journey late, marveled at the dynamic atmosphere of Kolkata, remarking, "The tension is different from Bodh Gaya. This is definitely India." Meanwhile, Lee Ki-taek shed his usual clumsy image and showed off his reliable side as an 'India veteran' by skillfully explaining local information, bringing laughter to the group.

The cast then boarded a water taxi on the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges River known as the 'Mother River' to the Indian people. The sweeping views from the river and the vivid daily lives of locals washing clothes and bathing along the banks captivated the guests. In particular, Ven. Pomnyun surprised everyone by sharing an unconventional anecdote about how he had once tasted the water of the Ganges River himself.

A touching moment arrived unexpectedly. While traveling on the water taxi, the guests spotted Ven. Pomnyun in the distance, smiling brightly and waving while holding a camera amidst the crowd. Seeing the monk's affectionate gesture as he tried to capture precious moments with his guests on camera, Noh Hong-chul confessed he was moved to tears, saying, "He looks just like my father when I was young." The sincerity of Ven. Pomnyun conveyed through the camera lens highlighted the deepened bond between them, promising to leave a lasting impression on viewers at home.

Afterward, they visited the largest flower market in India near the Hooghly River, where they shared blessings by tossing flowers at each other amidst the beautiful, colorful scenery. When Noh Hong-chul made one of his signature quirky suggestions, the other members joined in one by one, instantly turning the scene into a sea of laughter. The chemistry of the group, which has grown stronger toward the end of their journey, is expected to provide delightful and heartwarming entertainment until the very end.

'Monk and Guest' will air on June 16 at 9 p.m.

(Reported by Kang Seon-ae, SBS Entertainment News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.