Broadcaster Kim Sook expressed gratitude to the 'Do-Driver' members.
KBS2's 'Hong Kim Dongjeon' and the Netflix 'Do-Driver' series that spiritually follows it. The two programs are content that recently have shown the most dramatic narratives in Korea's entertainment scene. That is because a program that had ended under the old terrestrial standard of poor ratings was revived brilliantly on a massive global OTT platform and rose to the top.
'Hong Kim Dongjeon,' which first aired in Jul. 2022, is a variety show that captures the joys and sorrows of members whose fates change through the simple concept of 'coin flipping.' The fresh yet stable combination of Hong Jin Kyung, Kim Sook, Cho Sae-ho, Joo Woo-jae and Jang Woo-young produced a powerful synergy with each episode, recording high levels of buzz, and as a result an unusually strong fandom formed for a variety show. But low ratings held them back, and the show ultimately ended after about 1 year and 6 months.
This process further united the fandom. Opposing petitions flooded viewer petition boards, and they voiced their opinions with truck protests. Amid enthusiastic support, 'Hong Kim Dongjeon' moved to Netflix and was splendidly revived as 'Do-Driver: In Search of the Lost Screw,' and two days after its release it soared to No. 1 in Netflix Korea TV shows. It was a clear moment proving how solid the 'Hong Kim Dongjeon' fandom was and that the success of this content was not confined to ratings numbers.
Following 'Do-Driver: In Search of the Lost Screw,' the members meet viewers every Sunday at 5 p.m. with 'Do-Driver: In Search of the Lost Steering Wheel.' They continue to deliver laughs with their still-tight chemistry.
Although she is the oldest sister among the members, Kim Sook shows a soft leadership that embraces the whole team without a sense of privilege or authority, to the point of giving up the very front of the program title to Hong Jin Kyung during 'Hong Kim Dongjeon.' With warm tolerance she acts like an adhesive that binds the members together and plays a central role in team chemistry, and with Kim Sook the 'Do-Driver' remains solid.
But Kim Sook said she does not feel the burden of leading the team as a 'leader.' On 4th, a day before the Chuseok holiday, Kim Sook, who met OSEN at a studio in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, said, "Since we are all friends who already know each other, I don't have the burden of thinking that because I'm the oldest sister I have to hold the team's center. I was just a little lacking in information about Wooyoung, but in fact I trust these friends, so rather than thinking I had to sort out a situation, I was more curious because these friends were all top in their fields. To be honest, I really didn't do much, and I think I laughed watching the younger members. So when I come to 'Do-Driver' all my stress is relieved."
Although Kim Sook appears on numerous programs such as 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny,' 'Save Me! Homes,' 'The Boss Has Donkey Ears,' 'Midnight Ghost Story Club,' 'Reporters 25 Hours' and 'Problem Child in House,' she chose 'Do-Driver' as the most comfortable program. Other programs heavily involve her role as MC, but perhaps because 'Do-Driver' lets her act as a player. Kim Sook said, 'Both "Hong Kim Dongjeon" and "Do-Driver" have no scripts. Other programs at least have guidelines or scripts, and MCs are quietly informed, but here there is nothing at all. So we don't know what the next segment will be. So it's the least stressful of the programs I do.'
What does a comfortably approached 'Do-Driver' mean to Kim Sook? Kim Sook showed strong affection, saying, "For example, if it's someone's birthday it's like a gathering of close friends who all come together. At that time you really come with a joyful heart, don't you?"
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