The July 24 episode of MBC’s I Live Alone followed Dawn as he went about his daily routine with his pet dog, Haetnim, giving viewers a closer look at his life four years after moving out on his own.
After enjoying a simple breakfast, Dawn started his workout by setting a stopwatch. Watching him perform bodyweight exercises with impressive precision, Jun Hyun-moo remarked, “He’s changed a lot,” while Kim Shin-young praised his excellent form.
Explaining his fitness routine, Dawn said, "It's a challenge where I finish everything within 30 minutes. I do one set every minute for 10 sets, rest for 10 minutes, and then repeat the routine once more during the final 10 minutes." During his breaks between sets, he unexpectedly began singing. Dawn explained that he uses the time to train his lung capacity for live performances. He also demonstrated sliding push-ups, revealing that he was inspired by actor Kim Mu-yeol's workout routine. "I thought it looked really cool, so I started doing it. I've been following this challenge for about two months," he shared.
Beyond fitness, Dawn also spoke about his passion for preserving Korea's intangible cultural heritage. While introducing his two-story home, he explained, "I like preserving original elements instead of throwing everything away." His house is filled with objects inspired by traditional East Asian aesthetics. During the episode, he even visited a custom frame shop to collect a specially made frame designed to preserve a traditional shield-shaped kite created by master craftsman Bae Mu-sam.
“I started looking for furniture and decorative objects because I thought they were beautiful works of art, but later realized many of them were actually Korea’s intangible cultural heritage,” Dawn explained. “Since then, I’ve been meeting these artisans. I heard some of these traditions could disappear, so I wanted to help by introducing their work to more people.”
Dawn also opened up about living with chronic adrenal syndrome. He explained that he enjoys eating breakfast near the entrance of his home because he has been advised to get more sunlight as part of managing his condition. The singer also showed affection for his beloved 1998 vintage car, affectionately nicknamed “Boldeok.” “I bought it for 5 million won,” he said. “There’s hardly a single part that’s in perfect condition, but I still love that car.”
His appearance quickly generated a wide range of reactions online. Some netizens commented, “Looking at Dawn now, it seems like the breakup was for the best,” while others wrote, “People first knew Dawn because of HyunA. Now they should just live their own lives.” Others focused on his personal growth instead of his past relationship. “I always thought Dawn looked fragile, but now he seems healthy both physically and mentally,” one viewer commented. Another added, “He has an unexpectedly artistic side.” Many also praised his home, saying they hoped to see him appear on I Live Alone more often.
At the end of the episode, Dawn reflected on his current life with a heartfelt message. “I’m just grateful that today passed without any problems. My favorite saying is, ‘No news is good news,'” he said. “Living alone can be difficult and lonely, but I think it’s only when I’m by myself that I truly get to know who I am.”
The episode highlighted Dawn’s disciplined workout routine, his dedication to preserving Korea’s intangible cultural heritage, his candid discussion about living with chronic adrenal syndrome, and his sentimental attachment to his first car. It also reignited public interest in how his life has changed since his highly publicized relationship and breakup with fellow singer HyunA.
Sources: Daum
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