'Overly Immersed Club' ignited its ambition for regular programming even in a competitive time slot.
On the morning of the 2nd, a press conference for TV Chosun's new entertainment show 'My Way - Overly Immersed Club' was held at the TV Chosun Gasan Studio in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Tak Jae-hoon, Chae Jung-an, Yunho, Lee Teuk, Mi Mi Mi Nu, and Producer Kim Hana, who shared their thoughts.
'My Way - Overly Immersed Club' is a reality show that observes the daily lives of people who are immersed in a particular subject. Tak Jae-hoon, Chae Jung-an, Yunho, Lee Teuk, and Mi Mi Mi Nu will join as hosts to reveal immersive moments in everyday life.
When asked about the planning intention, Producer Kim Hana noted, "Being overly immersed means being excessively engaged in something. It's not negative; it can be viewed positively. Everyone has something they are overly immersed in, whether it's a hobby or the direction of their life. The energy of people who are immersed is positive. When I asked those around me what they are obsessed with, the responses were intriguing. I thought it would be nice to share the energy of those who are immersed with the viewers, which led to this project." She added, "The strengths and differences lie in focusing on immersion, allowing us to discover unexpected charms. It provides an opportunity to understand someone's perspective on life and their values closely. I hope such energy can be well conveyed to the viewers."
Regarding the reason for gathering the host team, she said, "I am very grateful that they agreed to participate, as they are difficult to bring together. I appreciate that they joined voluntarily. Tak Jae-hoon is a genius in entertainment. He knows how to identify characters and comedic elements, and he contributes great ad-libs. I couldn't imagine what he would be immersed in. I was curious how he would react to seeing other people's immersion. He showed tremendous interest in others' immersion during the studio shooting, looking at it with warm eyes," and continued, "Chae Jung-an is the nation's first love and an ex-girlfriend. She has a beautiful presence and a down-to-earth quality that allows her to share relatable stories easily. She is well-regarded as a host and is very curious. As she has many things she is deeply engaged in, she is well able to describe other participants and their objects of immersion and empathize with them.
Next, Yunho is noted to be an icon of passion. He is playing the role of the tank-like heart of 'Overly Immersed Club.' He has a lot of things he wants to get deeply immersed in. The production team reflected a lot after the preview ended. It seemed that Yunho lives like that, and it prompted us to live diligently. The production team is receiving intense lessons," adding, "Lee Teuk's performance as a host has been enlightening this time. Other guests introduce and recommend the idea of immersion, while Lee Teuk observes, listens, and absorbs. His performance as a host has been well-done in that light, and he will later share insights about his own immersion that will be surprising. It is an aspect of him that has not been seen before and will be something to look forward to." She also mentioned, "Mi Mi Mi Nu might have generational differences. As someone from a different generation, she can explain immersion from that perspective. After all, she is the MZ President, and I feel that she exudes enough charm to understand why MZ people get overly immersed.
The MC team also shared their reasons for participating. Tak Jae-hoon stated, "The theme was excellent. The idea that anyone can be overly immersed is intriguing. As you will see in the show, I found it fun while filming as well. Strangely, I initially tried not to be immersed, but midway through, I found myself immersed. By filming this, I discovered new aspects of myself," adding, "As for the format, I believe there are trends in broadcasting. They often aim for a format that involves talking while watching video clips. I thought such a format would be comfortable for me. Since I spend a lot of time outdoors, it felt like a good opportunity. TV Chosun also provides generous payment. I wanted to try it, although it was only for six episodes. Even if it's difficult, I can manage six episodes, right?" He joked. He continued, "We had our first recording two weeks ago. The dynamics are unique; apart from Lee Teuk, everyone is new to me. Since I have been in this business for so long, I found the atmosphere during the filming incredibly fun. I remember telling the producer that it would turn out well and that it was enjoyable. The viewers will make their own judgments, but among ourselves, we were immersed during the recording and remember it fondly."
Chae Jung-an said, "Life can get so busy and repetitive that you fail to notice you are overly immersed in something. I have lived thinking that I am someone who cannot be immersed. I wanted to participate out of curiosity about what others are immersed in and to observe myself in that light. People might perceive me as someone who is immersed in something, but I have never been enthusiastic about immersion myself. However, as I go through life, I realize there must be something, right? I think this program will reveal that. While filming, one interesting fact I discovered is that everyone lives diligently and passionately. Particularly watching Tak Jae-hoon, I felt he is overly immersed in his role as a host while also being deeply engaged in observing others. I felt proud without even realizing it as Tak Jae-hoon appears changed. Watching a senior I've seen on screen next to me reveals his strengths and adds a new layer of fun. Observing the immersion of others raises questions about what I might get immersed in; it piques my curiosity, and I believe we can empathize as we watch together."
Yunho stated, "This is my first time greeting you as a variety panelist. I believe there are many people who love one specific field. I think there are aspects that are different about me from others. Those differences are what make it distinct from generic observation shows," adding, "What piqued my interest initially was the slogan. The idea that everyone is somewhat crazy about something isn't wrong just because it's different from others. I believe everyone has their own set of values they pursue. Such exposure hasn't happened in pure observation entertainment before. Sometimes those who appear different from others might be seen appealingly. That's why I decided to start. The second reason is that initially, I thought that Tak Jae-hoon might be someone very different from me, but the more I filmed, the more I felt attracted to him; he seems pure and, in fact, might have more in common with me than I initially thought, and I believe there are many lessons to learn from him. I am confident that this program can challenge all the values I hold."
Lee Teuk expressed, "Among health clubs, nightclubs, and others, this club is probably the healthiest and most beneficial in daily life. The thrill of feeling alive comes when we are immersed in something. I hope viewers feel inspired to see what they want to immerse themselves in while watching this program," adding, "The broadcasting industry is experiencing a downturn these days. When a new program launches, it needs to make its mark quickly, which is how this came about. I found 'My Way' appealing because it's about being 'my way.' In the past, adults stressed the importance of immersing in studies, but the times have changed. Now, if you get immersed in games, you can become a professional gamer, or if you love entertainers, you can take photos and edit videos—things have changed. I have many things I want to do, and this opportunity felt like a challenge I needed."
Mi Mi Mi Nu shared, "There are two main reasons for my participation. First, I have been appearing on TV since last year, and I considered whether my appearance would be easily accessible to my mother, who often watches TV alone at home. I think TV Chosun is popular among viewers over 50. She may watch and feel proud, thinking, 'She has succeeded,' while following my journey," adding, "To transition from being a YouTuber to a broadcast MC, I believe it is vital to have an interest in others and understand their thoughts and values. While I am familiar with students' daily lives, this program allows me to learn about celebrities and others, making it a valuable experience, which is why I decided to participate."
When asked about areas in which the MCs are immersed or want to be immersed, Tak Jae-hoon joked, "There are many things I want to do, but there are limits when filming a program," and continued, "In the past, I had things I wanted to do but couldn't because such programs didn't exist, and now that they do, I will consult well with the producer to make it happen. Right now, I am deeply immersed in paying taxes. I have to do it somehow."
Chae Jung-an noted, "It's about anti-aging, health, and anti-aging," while Yunho explained, "I originally had a lot of interest in stage-related aspects such as lighting and production. I think a great deal about how to make clips more effective. Nowadays, I'm trying to learn a lot through the vlogs and lives of ordinary people. For me, the lives of ordinary people felt unreachable. Since there are things I cannot do easily, I explore these through travel and information, sharing my experiences, and that has captured my interest. I feel like I've exhausted everything I can showcase as an idol for 20 years. By studying ordinary people's lives, I'm discovering things I can't do while aiming to find a better compromise together."
Lee Teuk mentioned, "For the past 10 years, I have been immersed in cleaning, laundry, and health. I'm always contemplating how I can do them better. With raising a dog, I think about its health a lot, including grooming and spas. Personally, I enjoy golf, but I also engage in weight training and health to explore how I can age gracefully while working. Viewers might be surprised to see Lee Teuk immersed in these areas. I hope to convey that through the broadcast," and Mi Mi Mi Nu added that she is immersed in entrance exam education, K-pop, and role-playing games.
Producer Kim Hana discussed the theme of immersion, stating, "My understanding of immersion is that in today's age of declining attention spans, being captivated by something is precious and valuable. It would be great to talk about how everyone has such moments. I realized through this program that when I think of immersion, I typically think of hobbies or specific exercises, but each person's immersion reflects their life values. It seems to be about finding what kind of life they want to lead and seeking out the focus of their immersion. I wish to convey these deeper stories brightly, openly, and lightly."
She also touched on the observational entertainment elements, saying, "I do not pursue revealing celebrities' or participants' intimate lives, such as those within their homes. I do not think of it as showcasing their private lives. I feel exhausted by the typical exposure of private lives, so I'm focusing on the more immersive aspects we can reveal without that. " Lee Teuk added, "I believe viewers will feel encouraged to indulge in the categories of immersion they want as they watch the program and that people often go along with the trends even if they have something they want to immerse in." He expressed hope that viewers can understand their true wants without being trend-followers or worrying about others' opinions, becoming immersed in their own preferences.
In the midst of fierce competition from programs airing on Wednesday nights like 'The Return of Superman,' 'You Quiz on the Block,' 'Radio Star,' and 'I Am Solo,' when asked about the pressure, Tak Jae-hoon remarked, "It's the worst time slot. What's the point of being overly immersed if people don't watch?" This drew laughter. Producer Kim Hana commented, "Although it may not be an easy time, we gathered these individuals to create a new channel flow for the program. I'm hopeful that if we showcase something new amidst the competition, we can settle in successfully."
When discussing potential guests they wish to invite, they expressed, "We want to invite anyone who can immerse themselves in something without limiting the participants," and added about Director Kang who created 'K-pop Demon Hunters,' "I have heard that he spent seven years contemplating it. I wonder how immersed he must have been during that time as a producer. We want to invite such individuals, and we wish to invite anyone who gets overly immersed in something," Mi Mi Mi Nu suggested. She also mentioned that it would be good to see YouTubers who are active on short-form or social media as many viewers now discover shows through such platforms. Lee Teuk added, "I really hope Lim Young-woong will appear. If our star, Young-woong, made an appearance, his immersion would surely be appreciated by his fans. If there's a chance, I hope he comes on board."
Finally, Tak Jae-hoon expressed, "We filmed it in a fun way and produced a good program. I hope you enjoy it. I am unsure what the future holds for the program, but I believe that if we put in hard work, we will get a good reaction. There's no time. We only have six episodes. Everything needs to be decided in that time frame. These days, viewers don't wait. We must ensure it is rich, enjoyable, and memorable for many people, so we will show everything within those six episodes. After that, I will wait eagerly for the results."
Chae Jung-an expressed her faith, saying, "I thought it could become a long-running program," and added, "I will support many people in their quest to find subjects they can be overly immersed in." Yunho stated, "Since observational entertainment has elements, starting with who you are with is vital. Being alongside these wonderful seniors and individuals here seems to convey that energy. Looking at the filming points briefly, I saw many positive aspects and warm gazes. I believe it highlights the authenticity of the broadcast. I think many people would resonate with that."
Lee Teuk acknowledged, "I know that Wednesday at 10 p.m. is a challenging time slot. I believe TV Chosun has its own viewer demographics. I couldn't shake the concern that if ratings don't come in well after airing, articles about 'poor ratings' might arise. However, if you trust us and continue to support us, I hope we can achieve good results," while Mi Mi Mi Nu shared, "I believe it's a miracle that new entertainment shows are regularly scheduled for more than six to eight episodes. I hope to be part of that miracle."
Producer Kim Hana added, "The cast has been genuine, cheerful, and straightforward while expressing themselves naturally, which has created a great program. While there are fears and worries, I am confident about certain aspects and hope that viewers will tune in at 10 p.m. on Wednesday nights."
Meanwhile, 'My Way - Overly Immersed Club' will premiere on the 3rd at 10 p.m.
[Image] TV Chosun
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