K-pop Hunter has inspired new dreams.
On the 4th, the MBC program "Save Me! Homes" depicted a journey to explore the K-pop entertainment district in Seoul, a city drawing global attention for K-pop.
This K-pop entertainment district expedition featured Red Velvet's Wendy, singer Lee Seok-hoon, and Yang Se-hyung exploring the city as "K-pop Hunters." The first stop was Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong in Seoul, where Lee Seok-hoon remarked, "Our first newlywed home was in Seongsu-dong. I wish I had some money back then," sharing a poignant recollection that brought smiles. Notably, Seongsu-dong is the location of SME, where Wendy was affiliated, utilizing floors 2 to 19 of their building. The reported land price is around 100 million won per pyeong, and Seongsu Station is also famous as "SM Town" station. Wendy became nostalgic, recalling her commutes while affiliated with SME.
Yang Se-hyung, Lee Seok-hoon, and Wendy began their exploration at Seongsu Station and ventured through "SM District." The advertising costs displayed on the subway walls vary by station, with cheaper stations at around 1 million won and more expensive ones exceeding 4 million won. The station was bustling with events like "Birthday Cafe." Especially since Lee Seok-hoon and Wendy were together, a unique scene unfolded with bodyguards accompanying them, which made Kim Sook, Jang Dong-min, and Joo Woo-jae express their past grievances, invoking laughter.
While moving, they encountered the artist worldview of SME, "Wilderness." Wendy said, "I still don't understand what Wilderness is," prompting Lee Seok-hoon to comment, "It's something the higher-ups are adamant about," which elicited laughter. The three then traveled to Acro Forest, known as the "Three Greats of Seongsu-dong." This residence is valued at over 10 billion won, reportedly housing Jeon Ji-hyun, Lee Je-hoon, and Choi Hwa-jung. Joo Woo-jae shared, "My closest friend lived there for about two years, but the security is so tight that it causes stress every time he enters." The property they visited, Acro Forest, has a market price of 13.5 billion won.
The second entertainment company they would visit is CUBE Entertainment, located in Seongsu-dong, which has produced groups such as 4Minute, Beast, BTOB, and (G)I-DLE. The first floor of the building has a café accessible to everyone and was filled with international fans. Notably, there was a stage for monthly evaluations in the café. Wendy recalled her own monthly evaluation, saying, "Just thinking about it makes me nervous. Only high-ranking officials attend the truly important evaluations, and on those days, I prepared with hair, makeup, and styling as if it were a real stage. If I make a mistake and try to brush it off humorously like I used to, I'd be told, 'Do you think this is acceptable?'" In the studio, Park Na-rae, Yang Se-hyung, and Yang Se-chan humorously remarked that "Comedians also get evaluated" referring to "Monthly Evaluation" as "Face Evaluation" which drew laughter.
Lee Seok-hoon, who debuted in 2008, and Wendy, who debuted in 2014, both joined their companies through auditions. Lee Seok-hoon recounted, "I auditioned in the president's office without any camera test or microphone; I sang without backing vocals. Moreover, it was all glass, so all the staff watched. I debuted just two months after passing. I lost weight for a month and recorded for another month. My original weight was 100 kg, so I debuted at 64 kg, having lost 15 kg in a month. I just had to hold on, and it happened like that." Wendy said, "I went along with a friend to a global audition and got accepted. I was also chubby back then, and they said they'd see how hard I worked as a trainee, which motivated me to become a trainee."
In the practice room, they met NOWZ. NOWZ shared, "Nowadays, we receive character education, where we do dictations and history quizzes." Especially, NOWZ mentioned, "Lee Sang-jun comes into the monthly evaluation too. He comments next to the president," which elicited laughter, and Wendy reflected, "It was hard for all of us as trainees. If I were asked to go back, I couldn't. That was only possible then."
In the studio, discussions continued about the entertainment company buildings. Kim Sook mentioned the VIVO building in Sangam-dong, Yang Se-chan referenced the Antenna building in Nonhyeon-dong, and Joo Woo-jae mentioned the former YG building in Hapjeong-dong, where he had previously worked. When Joo Woo-jae mentioned he left YG to transfer to a company where singers are affiliated, Jang Dong-min humorously remarked, "You'll probably be treated like Lee Sang-jun," poking at Joo Woo-jae's pride.
The third company they will visit is YG Entertainment, located in Mapo-gu, Seoul, which has housed artists such as Jinusean, One Time, Gummy, Lexy, Se7en, BIGBANG, BLACKPINK, WINNER, TREASURE, and BABYMONSTER. Wendy noted, "At SME, the concept is established beforehand, so it doesn't have that free feeling no matter what we try to do, but at YG, starting with 'Hello,' it was full of individuality." In response, Joo Woo-jae quipped, "SM is our company's best, YG is our kids' best, and JYP is the best." Lee Seok-hoon analyzed that in terms of vocals, SME is traditional while YG is appealing.
The outdoor advertisement of a convenience store in front of YG Entertainment costs about 3.5 million won a week, and the branch is named "YG Family Store." Yang Se-hyung, Lee Seok-hoon, and Wendy visited an apartment located right next to YG Entertainment's building, which is reported to have a market price of around 1.3 billion won. They then explored a 55-pyeong apartment in Sangsu-dong with a view of the Han River, with a market price of 2.5 billion won and a jeonse of 1.25 billion won. After the exploration, Wendy expressed, "I have developed a dream to work even harder," while Lee Seok-hoon said, "I contacted my wife to tell her I've gained a dream. My motivation has been solidified."
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