'No plan' is the trend. Real 'mukbang' entertainment programs that are running without prior arrangements have recently gained great popularity. The real entertainment that jumps in with no script or preliminary arrangements, solely relying on spontaneity, centers around Jun Hyun-moo's 'Jun Hyun-moo Plan 2' on MBN and Channel S and 'Do You Know Home Cooking' on MBN and MBC Every One. These two programs, the vanguards of 'no plan' entertainment, blend the unpredictable charms of Jun Hyun-moo and Lee Jang-woo into something that delivers fresh fun to viewers.
▲ 'Genuine' no plan mukbang opens the door, now heading overseas!
Jun Hyun-moo's 'Jun Hyun-moo Plan 2' on MBN and Channel S, which sets off to find domestic restaurants without any prior arrangements, precisely hits viewers' tastes with its real on-site feel and delightful surprises. Jun Hyun-moo's unpredictable storytelling and the 'genuine' local restaurant discoveries that receive tips from locals and viewers showcase the true flavor of 'real entertainment.' As a result, 'Jun Hyun-moo Plan,' which began its first broadcast in October 2024, has achieved immense love and influence from viewers, even expanding to Japan and Hong Kong for its second season.
The biggest reason for the enduring popularity of the no-plan mukbang entertainment is the 'diving in headfirst' spirit of Jun Hyun-moo and Kwak Tube. The two, armed with a small GoPro, set off to find delicious restaurants with their unique friendliness, openly asking restaurant owners, "May I film for a moment?" and are not afraid to rub their palms together. Additionally, their ease in communicating with not just restaurant owners but also customers within the establishments resonated with the viewers. Even if they fail to secure a restaurant, their spontaneity in immediately searching for another spot offers unpredictable enjoyment, which paradoxically builds trust with the audience.
▲ 'K-home cooking' knocking on local kitchens represents successful 'Korean cuisine diplomacy'!
Premiering on July 9, MBN and MBC Every One's 'Do You Know Home Cooking' is also showing signs of a big hit. Just like Jun Hyun-moo in 'Jun Hyun-moo Plan,' Lee Jang-woo showcases his charm through the no-plan 'culinary traveling.' If Jun Hyun-moo is proud of 'gastronomy' and 'food reviews,' Lee Jang-woo demonstrates not only the fun of eating by consuming a wide variety of dishes but also showcases chef-like cooking skills, sharing enjoyment with locals around the globe. Notably, Lee Jang-woo, adhering to the theme of 'K-home cooking global promotion project,' treats locals to local versions of Korean dishes, improvising to invite local individuals to join the cooking experiences, allowing them to feel the charm of no-plan entertainment.
In the first episode, Lee Jang-woo and BamBam traveled to Thailand, embarking on securing local opportunities to personally prepare 'K-home cooking.' After failing to secure an invitation in Bangkok, the two took over an hour to travel to Nonthaburi, where they succeeded in securing a 'home cooking invitation' and presented 'K-Korean cuisine' at the home of a restaurant owner selling 'Pla Too' (local mackerel). Using ingredients from the owner's refrigerator, they prepared 'Pla Too Braised' and 'Papaya and Mango Salad,' successfully appealing to the family's tastes and delivering fresh enjoyment. In the second episode, they attracted the hearts of Thai mothers and MZ generation by making local-style dishes such as Korean-style spring rolls and tteokbokki.
Lee Jang-woo, who is promoting 'Korean cuisine diplomacy' to foreigners who were initially unfamiliar with Korean food, is reinterpreting home-cooked meals with a local twist and fostering warmth and connections through this medium, signaling the 'birth of fresh healing entertainment.' Above all, the popularity abroad is remarkable. The video clips of 'Do You Know Home Cooking' surpassed a total of 600,000 views just seven days after release, with 80% of viewers from Thailand. Providing Thai subtitles through AI, and coupled with the popularity of 'Thai Prince' BamBam, interest from locals in Lee Jang-woo's Thai-style 'K-home cooking' is pouring in. Following the last story of the Thailand episode airing on the 23rd, Lee Jang-woo's 'culinary travel' to Taiwan on the 30th is raising expectations.
▲ Real-life scenes richer than scripted plots... what explains the success of no-plan entertainment?
Both Jun Hyun-moo and Lee Jang-woo share the common trait of eliciting perfectly timed humor even within the flow of 'no plan' entertainment. Their ability to create laughter without flinching in unpredictable situations, along with their immediate rapport with others, is their strongest weapon. In particular, Jun Hyun-moo has established himself as the leading icon of 'unscripted entertainment' by generating broadcast-worthy moments the instant he opens a restaurant door. Lee Jang-woo also skillfully produces memorable moments with his unique cooking recipes. His 'barehanded cooking' approach, where he sources ingredients on the spot and jumps straight into cooking, astonishes viewers.
Thus, while being 'no plan,' the genuine yet reliable real entertainment of these two figures is becoming a new trend in broadcasting. It is a time when raw experiences that show true stories resonate more than elaborate planning. The unpredictable situations occurring on-site elicit greater empathy than scripted plots. It raises curiosity about how far the 'no plan' entertainment wave led by Jun Hyun-moo and Lee Jang-woo will spread and where their next destination will be.
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