"Why is SEVENTEEN mopping?" Popular idol group SEVENTEEN member Seungkwan (real name Bu Seungkwan) becomes the manager of the Filssung Wonder Dogs in New Director Kim Yeon-koung.
MBC held a press conference for the new entertainment show New Director Kim Yeon-koung on the afternoon of the 24th at Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Former volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung, SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan, former volleyball player Pyo Seung-ju and producer Kwon Rak-hee attended and, under the moderation of broadcaster Park Kyung-rim, talked about the program.
New Director Kim Yeon-koung is an entertainment show that depicts volleyball emperor Kim Yeon-koung's project to establish a club as she returns as a rookie director. It is expected to portray world No. 1, the unique volleyball god Kim Yeon-koung returning as a zero-year "new" director.
In particular, SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan was selected as the team manager "Bbu manager" who will lead the team with coach Kim Yeon-koung. Bu Seungkwan, known as a long-time true volleyball fan, is actually a fan of the women's professional volleyball team Jeong Kwan-jang Red Sparks. He even drew attention for getting emotional when the women's volleyball team reached the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics.
About becoming the volleyball team manager, Bu Seungkwan said, "My MBTI is the ultimate 'N'. I have lived imagining only this day. I was happy to be able to work with coach Kim Yeon-koung, Seungju and many volleyball players. I was glad to be able to support them as a manager. To me they were like celebrities. I was so excited before going in. I was happy throughout the filming. I am still happy," he said, overcome with emotion.
Bu Seungkwan said, "First of all, as someone who liked volleyball since 2005 from the start of pro volleyball, I have been known as a fan of various teams. I was a fan of that team even until the last season he played. Because of that, I always felt like I was doing something wrong to Yeon-koung. But when I decided to do this show, I thought I should show that I'm a fan of volleyball, not just a fan of the team," he said, commenting on coach Kim Yeon-koung as a manager.
He also said with a laugh, "As you can see in the teaser video, it was a failure from the start. How annoying it must have been — constantly cheering for the opposing team and coming and going. While managing the Wonder Dogs, I worked hard to score points. Every time we filmed, I think our chemistry would blend in. Actually, she may seem prickly and grumpy, but I feel that she cares for me. If she says something warm, I cringe and it feels even stranger," raising expectations for chemistry with coach Kim Yeon-koung.
What will Bu Seungkwan show as a volleyball team manager rather than an idol? He explained the manager's role: "Being attached to the volleyball team, I support the players as much as possible when they train or play. From locker room uniform setup to preparing with the coaching staff on how to handle training, notifying times, boosting during games, wiping sweat and doing mind coaching beside them. I'm not at a level to talk about tactics, so I tried to help from the side without getting in the way, saying they're doing well."
As a volleyball fan, he described the sport's appeal: "When I said I used to watch volleyball, people often reacted, 'You watch volleyball?' There may be people who have never watched it, but no one watches it only once. During the Tokyo Olympics semifinal run, SEVENTEEN members all watched together at the dorm. The rules are hard, but once you watch, you're hooked. There are many sports entertainment shows, but volleyball itself has charm. With players like Kim Yeon-koung and Pyo Seung-ju and many coaching staff, I'm really excited for the show. Please give it lots of love," he said emphatically.
It was hinted that Bu Seungkwan's love for volleyball was extraordinary inside New Director Kim Yeon-koung. When Bu Seungkwan said, "Even while doing concerts my voice didn't hoarsen, but during the recording season my voice went once," even Kim Yeon-koung marveled, "During the recording season he prepared for concerts, filming then went to prepare for concerts, and once he dragged his pelvis. He did things like catching the ball. For volleyball," she said in admiration.
Producer Kwon Rak-hee added, "Kim Yeon-koung's struggles themselves are entertainment, and manager Bu Seungkwan plays a great supporting role right next to her. He was really busy but made a lot of time. He came to actual training often and cheered more passionately than anyone during games, which brought out the entertaining moments."
Bu Seungkwan said firmly, "I said 'You have to fight' a lot. When I see the players I don't know why I feel so much affection. While doing a volleyball show, I came to love volleyball more. I'm not a veteran senior, but I thought if I could say even one word the players might get more exposure. Watching players' style plays, I end up talking to myself, bringing them water. Actually, taking off SEVENTEEN and Bu Seungkwan, this is the sport I loved most in my life, so I really enjoyed doing this program."
He added, "New Director Kim Yeon-koung is about 'yearning.' Everyone's yearning comes together into passion and emotion. And there's also a lot of fun in it. I really hope this program New Director Kim Yeon-koung does very, very well. I hope many people understand why I love volleyball and say this is why it's fun. People might ask, 'Why is SEVENTEEN's Bu Seungkwan mopping over there and why is he giving water?' but from this moment on I'm just Wonder Dogs manager Bu Seungkwan. If I can help even a little, I won't have regrets," adding to the poignancy.
New Director Kim Yeon-koung, in which Bu Seungkwan appears as a manager, premieres on the 28th at 9:10 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Jo Eun-jung.
[OSEN]