You probably remember Lee Jang-woo as that polished lead from weekend dramas like My Only One or Homemade Love Story. He was the quintessential "son-in-law material"—tall, handsome, and always wearing a suit. But honestly? That guy is gone. The 2026 version of Lee Jang-woo is a force of nature in the variety world, a man who traded his dandy image for a bowl of sundae-guk and a self-bestowed title: The Palm Oil Prince.
If you haven't been keeping up with lee jang-woo tv shows lately, you've missed a massive cultural shift. He didn't just join variety shows; he redefined them by being unapologetically obsessed with food.
The End of an Era on I Live Alone
It finally happened. In December 2025, Lee Jang-woo officially "graduated" from MBC’s I Live Alone. It was a bittersweet moment that felt like the end of a sitcom season. After six years of showing us his cluttered kitchen and his legendary "powder cooking" recipes, he left for the best reason possible: he got married.
He tied the knot with actress Jo Hye-won on November 23, 2025. Since the show is strictly for singles, he had to pack up his Wilson doll and head out. His final episode featured a tear-jerking VCR of his wedding, leaving his "Palm Oil" siblings, Jun Hyun-moo and Park Na-rae, in absolute shambles. They were actually sobbing on camera. It was a lot.
The legacy he left behind on that show is basically a blueprint for how to enjoy life. He pioneered the "Palm Oil Line," a trio of foodies who traveled to places like Vietnam, Taiwan, and Turkey just to eat until they couldn't move. Remember the "Palm Oil Seminars"? They weren't just eating; they were "researching." At least, that's what they told themselves while downing bowls of dalat noodles.
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Rural Village Lee Jang-woo: The New King of Regional Revitalization
While he might be off I Live Alone, his new solo venture is actually doing even better. Rural Village Lee Jang-woo just kicked off its second season on Ganghwa Island in late 2025, and the ratings are kind of insane.
In Season 1, he went to Gimje and literally spent a year farming rice. Most celebrities would do one episode and leave. Not Jang-woo. He stayed, brewed his own makgeolli, and turned a literal abandoned brewery into a local landmark. By the time he was done, the makgeolli he created was sold out across the country.
Now, in Season 2, he's basically the unofficial mayor of Ganghwa. He’s out there fishing for queen clams and volunteering for errands for the local elders. It’s the kind of wholesome content that Google Discover loves, but it works because he’s actually doing the work. PD Park, the show's producer, recently mentioned that the grandmas in these villages might not know who world-famous idols are, but they treat Jang-woo like a long-lost son because he helps them in the fields.
The Business Genius (and the Bankruptcies)
You can't talk about lee jang-woo tv shows without mentioning his real-life crossover into the restaurant business. He’s been heavily influenced by his time on Business Genius Baeksajang with the legendary Baek Jong-won.
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He’s had some highs and some very public lows.
- The Success: His "Uyuni Salt Walnut Pastry" at Buchang Bakery. They sold over 100 million pieces in six months.
- The Struggle: His Japanese curry restaurant, "Garae," actually closed down in September 2025 after only nine months.
He was incredibly honest about it on Park Na-rae’s YouTube channel, Naraesik. He basically apologized to the public, saying he made mistakes and learned a hard lesson about how difficult it is to sustain a business during an economic downturn. That kind of vulnerability is rare for a Hallyu star. He didn't blame the economy; he took the hit himself.
Where to Watch Him in 2026
If you’re looking for his acting roles, he hasn’t completely abandoned the craft. He’s currently starring in the ENA drama Doctor on the Edge as Do Ji-wi. It’s a departure from his usual romantic roles, leaning more into high-stakes medical tension.
But let’s be real—the variety world is where his heart is. Here is a quick look at his current and most recent rotation:
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- Rural Village Lee Jang-woo (Season 2): Airing weekly on MBC. This is the "healing" content you need.
- Doctor on the Edge: His 2026 acting comeback on ENA/Genie TV.
- 7-Eleven Collaborations: Not a show, but he’s currently all over Korean TV commercials for his "Sweet+Spicy" convenience store meals. He actually helped design the recipes for the "Chipotle Green Onion Chicken Wonbol."
Why He Matters Right Now
Lee Jang-woo is a fascinating case study in celebrity evolution. He realized that being a "perfect" actor was limiting. By showing his weight gain, his failures in the kitchen, and his genuine sweat in the fields of Ganghwa, he became more relatable than any "flower boy" actor could ever be.
He’s transitioned from someone we watch to someone we want to eat a meal with. That authenticity is why his shows continue to top the charts even as he enters a new chapter as a married man.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
If you're planning a trip to Korea in 2026, skip the typical tourist traps. Head to Ganghwa Island or the Gimje Brewery that Lee Jang-woo revitalized. Also, check out the 7-Eleven "Lee Jang-woo" line of meals; they're surprisingly high-quality because he’s obsessive about the ingredients. If you want to see his best variety work, go back and binge the Dalat and Taichung "Palm Oil Seminar" episodes of I Live Alone—they are peak entertainment.