Choo Sung Hoon, Kwak Jun Bin (Kwak Tube), and Lee Eun Ji embarked on an extreme group assignment.
On the morning of the 23rd, a production presentation for the new ENA and EBS entertainment show "Choo Sung Hoon's Must Pay" took place at the Two IFC building in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The presentation was attended by Choo Sung Hoon, Kwak Jun Bin, Lee Eun Ji, Producer Song Jun Seob, and Producer An Je Min, who shared their thoughts.
"Choo Sung Hoon's Must Pay" is a realistic survival travel documentary in which "uncle" Choo Sung Hoon challenges extreme jobs around the world and enjoys the value of the meals he earns through hard work. Producer Song Jun Seob from EBS explained, "Our program features three individuals experiencing extreme jobs around the world while earning their own money to eat. It's not just about working; it shows the joys and sorrows of ordinary individuals, the chemistry between the three, and a new form of entertainment that allows viewers to see hidden local places." Producer An Je Min from ENA noted, "These days, travel program formats are common and numerous, but I believe viewers wonder if celebrities truly earn their meals while creating the program. This is a show that showcases those genuine experiences rather than traveling for free on a broadcasting station's budget, so please look forward to it."
Regarding the intent behind the project, Producer Song Jun Seob shared, "We've traveled a lot in past programs. While traveling the world, I've encountered many fascinating uncles. I thought it would be fun to bring together those interesting uncles and a representative character from Korea. In the previous program, I focused a lot on taxi drivers, but this time I wanted to capture diverse occupations and dramatic moments, so I chose extreme jobs. I felt that the typical travel show doesn't engage viewers enough, so I wanted to find a way for the participants to immerse themselves meaningfully. The expression of paying for meals indicates that they each contributed their share. We aimed to help the three of them immerse themselves in their roles while traveling."
Producer An Je Min noted, "I think all producers in South Korea would agree that these are the three individuals we'd most like to recruit. It's not easy to have them all in one place, so I believe it's significant that we managed to gather them here. Even when I direct, I often remind participants to pay for their meals when the cameras aren't rolling. Isn't that what this program practically embodies? Lee Eun Ji often asks if they paid for their meals after finishing each day. Eun Ji has done a lot, but I feel like I haven't done enough on site, so I think I need to try harder."
Choo Sung Hoon, who launched a program named after himself, said, "To be honest, on the first and second days, I talked to the producers. I said, 'This is not a program I want to put my name on.' It felt too burdensome, and I struggled with what I should show you all and how to lead the two others. I asked if we could just call it 'Must Pay,' but the producers said they've already filmed some interesting content, and with both of them helping a lot, I shouldn't worry; it would definitely succeed. So I decided to trust that and give it my all."
He continued, "This time, I just came back from China. Honestly, I've been working hard; I still do, but I've also been having fun while working hard and earning my meals. Initially, the chemistry between the two was off, but as we progressed, I think you'll find the gradual improvement of our relationship to be an interesting story, so I hope you enjoy our program."
When asked why he chose such a challenging program, Choo Sung Hoon stated, "I haven't done many programs like this, but the reason I decided on it is that the two participants meeting for the first time creates a unique experience. It's easier when you're always meeting familiar friends, but I wanted to challenge myself and explore what chemistry might emerge between strangers. As a fighter, I have the stamina, which is necessary for some jobs, but not for others. I had a lot of curiosity about how things would unfold in a foreign country, so I enjoyed filming it."
Kwak Jun Bin, a travel creator, said, "Travel is my profession, and I've been to various countries, so I was worried because China is a place I haven't visited much and it's difficult to experience jobs related to travel. When I suggested, 'I'd like to try this job,' there were no opportunities for work, so I wanted to embark on a trip where I could attempt something different. Experiencing uniquely Chinese jobs felt much more immersive and realistic, and I believe that was all captured in the show, making it a wonderfully entertaining program."
When asked about his experience traveling with Choo Sung Hoon and Lee Eun Ji, he said, "I knew Eun Ji, but I met Choo Sung Hoon for the first time. I hadn't filmed with Eun Ji for long, so it felt like the first time. When I heard I would be going with Choo Sung Hoon, I was terrified because I was scared of fighters. He really stood out as a leader throughout the program. He was both careful and gentle. He felt more like a warm uncle than a fighter. I usually get along well with uncles, but he brought a refreshing vibe. Eun Ji was quite energetic and could have been intimidating, but I think her presence was crucial. Choo Sung Hoon and I are both shy, and she helped create a lively atmosphere. Even though we did a lot of hard labor, Eun Ji's comedic energy made things fun and lifted the overall mood."
Lee Eun Ji remarked, "I've participated in many overseas travel programs. The differentiating factor here is that it's a survival program for overseas travel. That point drew me in. The chemistry among the three of us is gradually maturing. It feels more relatable to viewers when people become friends slowly rather than instantly, like when you transfer to a new school. I believe viewers will resonate with that. Choo Sung Hoon and Kwak Jun Bin have a dynamic similar to Tom and Jerry – they seem like a perfect match yet don't at the same time, like some mysterious fusion dish, but in a delicious way. I think Choo Sung Hoon is Tom and Kwak Jun Bin is Jerry. There are a lot of comedic moments, so please keep an eye out for them!"
When asked when the chemistry began to align, Lee Eun Ji explained, "As the program title suggests, we were in a situation where we had to spend our own personal money rather than producing funds. We had to take our supplements in the morning, but we weren't given a sip of water. It made me very angry. At that point, I wondered if we were the only ones paying for meals while the production team was just enjoying their time. I held back those feelings, though. I think the chemistry started to emerge at moments when we were discussing the production staff behind their backs. I believe the chemistry among the three of us has a group assignment vibe – arguing, laughing, crying, and sharing a variety of emotions, ultimately getting it done together at the end."
He added, "I would give it an 80 out of 100. About a grade A. The 20 points are for improvement, and if given the chance, I hope to carry it on to Season 2." When asked if he would participate in Season 2 if produced, he joked, "I would if you just give me water."
When asked about his toughest moments, Choo Sung Hoon shared, "I'm not great at English, but at least I can manage to communicate a little if I try to use it here and there. No one helped us in that regard; we had to figure everything out ourselves. Even when hailing a taxi, Google Maps didn't work. We had to rely on various apps, but we weren't even sure if we were getting in the right one. I talked to the driver, but he didn't speak any English. We did our best to communicate. Other shows have staff to assist them, but we weren't provided with help or even water. We had to buy water from the money we earned, and the small bottle on site cost about 3,000 won. I hesitated to buy it, but if I were in Korea, I would have bought it immediately. I remember a lot of experiences like that. It was tough, but we had fun filming it."
Kwak Jun Bin also noted, "After working hard, we had to buy water, but the only available water was overpriced. My salary wasn't large. Since we weren't working all day long, paying for expensive water from our small budget was stressful. Looking back, it reminded me of my college days when I worked part-time jobs to save a little money for travel and spending money. Throughout various travel programs, I've relied on the production team's credit card, so I often forgot about managing money, but this program helped me reconnect with my initial intentions." Lee Eun Ji added, "Every moment was challenging and tough, but I remember the times when we conversed with each other after work. I think we did well and had fun."
However, communication was critical during work hours. Producer Song Jun Seob mentioned, "We used public transportation while traveling, but I helped out when it was work time since it was a learning experience for them. However, it's not like we were 100% attached, so language barriers did affect the chemistry. Eun Ji used body language to communicate." Lee Eun Ji added, "Considering the different ethnicities and vastness of China, we often found ourselves in situations where we couldn't understand each other due to each person speaking their own dialect, which was surprising. Yet we overcame those challenges well with eye contact, intuition, and body language."
Notably, "Choo Sung Hoon's Must Pay" is a collaboration between the educational broadcasting channel EBS and the entertainment channel ENA. Producer Song Jun Seob explained, "I believe that enjoyment and meaning are not mutually exclusive. There's no experience that evokes emotions like work does. It contains joys and sorrows. The participants' joys and sorrows, as well as those of the people undertaking those jobs silently, add an interesting dimension to the show. I think our cooperation with EBS and ENA creates a synergy that can shine in that regard." Producer An Je Min added, "I also think the chemistry among the production staff is important. In music, it's about heavenly harmony, while in entertainment, it's about cherishing discord. We might have our own discord during the editing process, but I hope viewers anticipate the new and enjoyable content that emerges from the harmony between EBS and ENA."
In conclusion, when asked about highlights, Producer Song Jun Seob pointed out, "We're planning to visit one more country aside from China. Please focus on the chemistry as the three of them become friends, family, and a group project." Kwak Jun Bin expressed, "I believe there are many shows highlighting occupations, but not many have effectively shown real experiences of local jobs through direct participation, so I think emphasizing immersive local job experiences would make it even more entertaining." Lee Eun Ji added, "I wondered what it would be like to merge ENA and EBS, entertainment and documentary, but after filming and returning, I found it entertaining yet emotionally moving. It seems to be a program filled with authenticity that people truly enjoy, so I hope many will watch it and find happiness and joy in it."
Producer An Je Min remarked, "When I think of the three participants, I see the essence of entertainment in South Korea. I believe the show with ENA has a bit of a spicy flavor, while EBS brings in a warm fondue-like softness. It's like the cheese-bulgogi-flavored noodles from 'JaGangSeCheon,' and it has made viewers curious about what's next." Meanwhile, Choo Sung Hoon closed with a humor-filled note, saying, "With my child (Choo Sa Rang) abroad, I'm spending an enormous amount of money. I have to work hard and give them an allowance." Producer Song Jun Seob confidently added that it's "a hundred times more entertaining" than his previous work, "Restaurant of the knights."
"Choo Sung Hoon's Must Pay" is set to premiere on the 26th at 7:50 p.m."
[Photo] OSEN reporter Park Jun Hyung
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