On March 15, Lee Mi-joo posted a photo on her social media with the caption “Title: On the balcony.” The image showed her cooking the meat on a small grill with just two slices of pork belly, half a mushroom and some garlic placed on the outside. Interestingly, only two small pieces of pork belly were visible on the grill, along with garlic and mushrooms, creating what many described as a “mini meal.”
Friends and family initially reacted hilariously to the comments. STAYC member Jaeyun jokingly asked: “Why do you only eat two pieces?” while Mijoo’s sister joked, “Not even the fat will come out.”
Family members also left playful comments like “Two pieces of pork belly? How annoying,” AND “You shouldn’t have eaten it on the balcony.” Mijoo responded lightly “So what?” maintaining an informal atmosphere.
However, the post quickly spread through online communities and social media, sparking an unexpected debate.
Some netizens criticized the act, supporting it Grilling meat on the balcony of an apartment building could cause smoke and odors to spread into nearby homes.
The comments included observations such as:
“You don’t want the smell to come into your house, but is it okay if it goes to your neighbors?”
“Grilling meat on the balcony can be as stressful as the noise between floors.”
Others also pointed out that the smell could permeate neighbors’ laundry or enter homes with open windows.
On the other hand, many people felt that the criticism was exaggerated. Some defended Mijoo, saying:
“They’re just two pieces of meat. How much smell would they make?”
“It’s his balcony: criticizing him seems excessive.”
“If you’re that sensitive, maybe apartment living isn’t for you.”
What started as a simple photo of a small meal has now turned into a larger online discussion about the topic apartment etiquette and personal freedom.
Meanwhile, Lee Mi-joo continues to enjoy popularity as an entertainer following her stint with Lovelyz, gaining fans for her outspoken personality and entertaining presence on variety shows.
