The diet and health secrets of King Yeongjo, the longest-reigning and longest-living monarch of Joseon, were revealed on the TV CHOSUN variety program 'What Did the King Eat?'

Choi Tae-sung noted that the average life expectancy in Joseon at the time was mid-40s, meaning Yeongjo's lifespan of 83 would be equivalent to over 100 by modern standards. On this broadcast, various royal health foods and diets that allowed Yeongjo to live to 83 were introduced, capturing the cast's attention.

Yeongjo's diet included barley rice, grilled croaker, spinach, dongchimi (radish water kimchi), abalone gochujang, and tangpyeongchae (mung bean jelly salad). Oriental medicine doctor So Jae-young explained that this diet is a representative example of a 'slow-aging diet' that slows cellular aging, as it is balanced with dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein. In particular, tangpyeongchae, made by mixing various vegetables with mung bean jelly, was highly popular. Ji Ye-eun drew attention by going back for multiple refills, saying, "I want to make this for my boyfriend."

Yeongjo's obsession with longevity was also evident in his consumption of ginseng. Based on records that Yeongjo consumed 100 geun (approximately 60 kg) of ginseng over seven years, Ijunggeongongtang (a medicinal ginseng soup) and honey-preserved ginseng were prepared. Cast members Shingiru, Yang Sang-guk, and Ji Ye-eun tasted the Ijunggeongongtang and reported feeling warmth in their stomachs and an immediate surge of vitality. Yang Sang-guk marveled, "I could feel Yeongjo's greed. Drinking this every day shows he had a true obsession with his health," and Ji Ye-eun declared after tasting the preserved ginseng, "I want to be a crazy person about health too." Choi Tae-sung also praised it highly, calling it "the best ginseng I've ever had." In addition, pine mushroom dishes such as pine mushroom jeon (pan-fried dish), steamed pine mushrooms, and pine mushroom rice were introduced, showcasing a bountiful table.

Yeongjo's relentless obsession with health was evident throughout his daily life. He had his physician check his pulse multiple times a day and even employed an official to taste his stool to thoroughly monitor his bodily condition. Additionally, while Yeongjo issued the strongest prohibition on alcohol in Joseon history, it was revealed that he himself secretly drank 'songjeolju' (a type of rice wine) at night. Furthermore, he ordered that sweet rice wine be offered instead of actual alcohol on the royal ancestral memorial tables at Jongmyo Shrine. Seeing this, Shingiru and Yang Sang-guk pointed out with laughter, "He makes good excuses. It's classic double standards."

The broadcast also addressed the tragic conflict between Yeongjo and Crown Prince Sado. The two showed significant differences in their tastes in food, body types, and lifestyle habits, which ultimately led to the Imo Hwabyeong incident where Yeongjo confined Crown Prince Sado in a rice chest, resulting in a tragic end. Watching this unfold, Ji Ye-eun expressed her anger, asking, "Why is the dad like that? Why did he even have him?" and Choi Tae-sung evaluated it as "the most shocking event in the history of the Joseon dynasty." In relation to this, Yang Sang-guk left a lingering impression with a joke, saying, "If Yeongjo hadn't been so high-strung, he probably would have lived to 150."

The cast members showed deep interest in Yeongjo's longevity diet until the very end, fully immersing themselves in the healthy food experience. Meanwhile, TV CHOSUN's 'What Did the King Eat?' airs every Wednesday at 10 p.m.