Chef Lee Yeon Bok Reveals That He And BTS's Jin Are Still Close Friends Years Later

It seems like BTS‘s Jin can easily befriend anyone! From EXO‘s D.O. to Ji Suk Jin and even his boss Bang Si Hyuk, there’s no one who Jin doesn’t get along with.

He even makes friends with locals wherever BTS happens to travel to! Remember Charles, the owner of Cockney’s bar in BTS’s trip to Malta for Bon Voyage season 3?

Jin clearly doesn’t mind age differences, either. That’s especially evident with his friendship with Chef Lee Yeon Bok. Lee has become friends with many celebrities due to guesting on variety shows. But, he seems especially close with Jin ever since they met on Please Take Care Of My Refrigerator in 2017.

From left: Jin, Jimin, Chef Lee Yeon Bok on “Please Take Care Of My Refrigerator” | *JTBC*

Chef Lee Yeon Bok recently guested on Jo Se Ho’s Wine Bar and revealed that the two have kept in touch even after four years! He had previously shared that Jin had gifted him wine, hence Lee Yeon Bok’s appearance on the wine-themed program.

So, he had the hosts come over to his house to try wine gifted by Jin, along with some wines famously gifted from celebrity to celebrity, such as former United States President Donald Trump to South Korean President Moon Jae In. Chef Lee Yeon Bok also revealed that he has two bottles of wine from Jin, including a signed one!

After preparing a meal of tortilla pizza and marinated cherry tomatoes, they sat down to sample some wines. Of course, they were especially excited to try Jin’s selection.

Of the two Jin-gifted wines, they chose to try “The Federalist Cabernet Sauvignon,” a red wine from California made from blackberry, pepper, and ginger. They all said it was “very delicious,” and whether they intended it to be a pun or not, they described the smell as being like “butter!”

Chef Lee Yeon Bok then shared how their friendship was formed from their time on the variety show. He also explained that the wine gift came from when Jin had traveled abroad for a concert tour.

I was really touched by it. It started from the show Please Take Care Of My Refrigerator. We shared our contact numbers from there. He bought it from the States while performing there.

— Chef Lee Yeon Bok

He revealed that to this day, they’re still great friends. He’s even gone on fishing trips with Jin!

We became closer since then, going fishing together.

— Chef Lee Yeon Bok

He shared that he had actually seen Jin just a few days ago too. His grandson is a fan, so, of course, being the great grandfather he is, he asked his friend for an autograph to take home.

He came here a few days ago as my grandson wanted his signature. I asked him for an autograph, and he said, ‘I’ll go there by tomorrow right after my schedule.’

— Chef Lee Yeon Bok

It turned out that Jin’s schedule was none other than 2021 Muster Sowoozoo for BTS’s big FESTA event for their 8th-anniversary celebration. During that time, he had worn his iconic “apple hair.”

He came here right after the show with his hair tied…

— Chef Lee Yeon Bok

Chef Lee Yeon Bok added, “I’m really touched by his friendship.” He concluded by doing a tribute to Jin by singing a rendition of trot-singer Young Tak‘s song “JJINIYA.”