PD Shin So-young, who directed "Really Good People," revealed her intentions for the program, behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot, the casting process, and plans for Season 2.
The new tvN entertainment show "Really Good People" (directed by Shin So-young), which premiered on the 3rd of last month, features celebrities as matchmakers introducing genuinely good friends. It is a reality show where celebrities guarantee the pairing of their close friends, and it offers a differentiated enjoyment compared to existing dating shows, with a lineup of eight celebrities including Cho Sae-ho, Kang So-ra, Kim Nam-hee, Heo Young-ji, Lee Mi-joo, Ji Ye-eun, Kim Young-kwang, and Lee Kwan-hee introducing their friends directly.
First, PD Shin explained the conceptual intent, saying, "I have thought for decades, 'My friend is really great, but why are they single?' I have been living for nearly 20 years saying, 'Isn't there a nice person around?' Then, it started with the idea of connecting 'your friend and my friend.'" She added, "Even among close friends, there are many parts that we do not know about each other's dating styles. I thought it would be interesting for the viewers, and it would be more fun for friends to watch it together."
She also shared the reason for choosing the accommodation 'Rub House' on Geoje Island as the shooting backdrop. PD Shin said, "Since it is a dating program and the season is summer, I wanted the ocean to be visible at a glance when you open your eyes. To enhance the romantic feelings, there should be walking trails and things to enjoy around the accommodation. I thought it would be better to bump into each other often in a smaller space rather than in a glamorous and large accommodation, and that's when I discovered the current place, which has bamboo walking paths, pebble beaches, infinity pools, and jacuzzis. Furthermore, it also has a secret space called the heart room, so I determined it was optimal."
Filming took place over a total of 5 nights and 6 days. PD Shin stated, "I thought it would be better if it were longer, but I was careful about the condition so that friends could fully focus on love. While 5 nights and 6 days might be short to fall in love, I don't think it's a lack of time," and regarding the eight-episode format, she explained, "Dating programs need to be monitored over a longer duration to see emotions and narratives. I didn't decide beforehand on the broadcast length, but I judged that 5 nights and 6 days could convey an impactful story."
She spoke about the 'casting behind the scenes' for participants, stating, "I really put in a lot of effort. I searched for celebrities known for their connections or those whose friends I was curious about for a long time." She continued, "In cases where someone suddenly starts a relationship, burdens from broadcasting, or work issues often lead to cancellations. Even if the conditions match, we went through the process of checking again whether the program's outcomes coincide."
She particularly recalled the cases of Oh Hyun-jin and Kim Nam-hee. PD Shin emphasized, "On the day we were supposed to have a second meeting with Oh Hyun-jin, her friend Kim Nam-hee surprisingly came along without informing the production team, just like a manager. After seeing the two together, I was convinced. The distinctive feature of our program is 'Rub.' The key is how close and friendly one can guarantee their friend."
Regarding casting ordinary participants, she said, "I believe that authenticity is the most important in dating programs. When celebrities participate, viewers might find it difficult to watch with authenticity, so I wanted non-celebrity friends or those I've known since childhood as much as possible. I think that alone already contains authenticity. The production team conducted various processes, including preliminary investigations, listening to stories, and checking social media, before proceeding with meetings," adding, "There were actually cases where I liked them and had meetings, but it ultimately did not match the program. (After all) ordinary participants often feel the burden of broadcasting. In fact, there was a case where a participant withdrew for the reason 'I don't want to show my romance to my friend.'"
Regarding the filming process, she said, "There might not necessarily be someone the participants feel attracted to, so my biggest worry was, 'What if there's no attraction?' However, everyone naturally fell into the situation."
She continued, "We gave the participants just two guidelines: 'Feel free to fall in love' and 'Do not contact your friends.' I particularly remember the first recording day. Seeing my friends' dating, everyone was nervous. From the first appearance, they were excited and completely immersed; the audio never stopped. It was like a live broadcast of baseball or soccer." She added, "Because they were close friends, their reactions were possible. They were amazed at their friend's flirting, and when they weren't chosen by their desired love interest, they felt disappointed as if it were their own situation."
The absence of a 'catfish' character, which usually creates conflict in many dating shows, is another point of differentiation. PD Shin explained, "Five nights and six days is already tight for getting to know each other. I judged that it was better for participants to focus entirely on romance than to introduce variations through a catfish character," and about the final couple's formation, she refrained from commenting. PD Shin said, "I will not disclose it so that you can enjoy 'Really Good People' even more," adding, "The participants are still getting along well together."
Regarding plans for Season 2, she stated, "Since the range of friends is wide, it might be possible to narrow it down to age groups or focus on members who want to get married. I also want to attempt casting celebrities who were disappointing this time and pursue the participation of stars who contacted us saying they found 'Really Good People' entertaining."
Finally, PD Shin expressed her gratitude for viewers' interest, saying, "For those who have not watched yet, it will be fun to see it with the mindset of 'I am watching my friend's romance.' The pure reactions of the panelists are also points of enjoyment, so we are adjusting them moderately. Soon, romance narratives will build up, and love lines will form, allowing you to enjoy it even more," and she cheered, "Good luck to 'Really Good People!'"
Meanwhile, tvN's 'Really Good People' seeks viewers every Sunday at 7:50 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by tvN
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