By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Arirang TV's talk show ``Heart to Heart'' started back in 2001, and after eight years of colorful guests and heartwarming stories, it marked its 2,000th episode this month.
``I don't think anybody knew, or expected the 2,000th. It was a surprise,'' Ahn Jung-hyun, the host of the show, told The Korea Times during a telephone interview.
Ahn started out as a reporter and anchor at the English-language broadcaster, and when she was offered the chance to host a talk show, she accepted the challenge.
``When you work on news, you read a script written by somebody else, but on a talk show, you can give more input,'' she said. But she added that her experience as a reporter helped.
A total of 2,004 famous and inspiring figures around the world have paid a visit to Heart to Heart, including Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan, founder of the Body Shop chain Anita Roddick and writer Alice Walker.
The show has also given Ahn many opportunities, including her post as the English presenter for the 2010 and 2014 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic bids, and she recently published a book to repay the support her viewers and fans have showed her over the years.
``I have a great job and yes, narrowing down to 20 people for the book was hard,'' she said.
``Although (the guests invited on the show) are famous, they are down-to-earth and humble. Alice Walker was such a gentle person and she had such love and passion toward people. Dr. Lee Seung-bok from Johns Hopkins Hospital is also a really nice person and when I contacted him for the book, he said it would be a great honor to be featured in the book and it was so humble for him to say that.''
The book, which has the same title as the show, offers interviews from the show, key expressions and a "Touching Words" section where readers can find inspiring advice and thoughts from the 20 guests.
Even for a veteran interviewer, research is essential to make the conversation more interesting, and Ahn says she studies her guests beforehand.
``You have to know your stuff and be able to organize your thoughts. You have to know what you are talking about and listen to the other person. I've always liked people and listening to people,'' she said.
Does Ahn watch other talk shows aired on Korean channels?
``I do. But (the guests) are mostly celebrities and many of them are for entertainment. Heart to Heart is different because we talk more about the personal side,'' said Ahn.
Interviewing 2,000 people has been a great journey, but there are still guests the host would love to welcome in the future.
``There are many people I would like to invite! U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon would be a wonderful guest as it would be a chance to know him personally. And first ladies! We have always tried hard to have them on the show, but it's been difficult,'' she said, laughing.
A distinctive feature of ``Heart to Heart'' is that it doesn't have a live audience and focuses on Ahn and her guests. But the host isn't opposed to the friendly and lively atmosphere an audience can bring.
``It's not up to me to make a decision, but I would love to try a show with an audience, laughing and crying with the guests. We'll see,'' she said hopefully.
``During an interview four years ago, a reporter asked me what my next step was and I answered, `To go up to 2,000?' Now perhaps the next step from here is to go up to 3,000. I thank the viewers and would like to tell them to continue to keep an eye on the program.''
"Heart to Heart" airs Monday through Friday at 9:30 p.m. on Arirang TV.