Spike War, which chronicles the growth of a celebrity volleyball team, unveils its curtain.
On the 28th in the afternoon, MBN sports variety show Spike War held an online production press conference that was streamed live. The production press conference was attended by producer Yi Yujeong, Director General Kim Sejin, coaches Shin Jinsik and Kim Yohan, captain Lee Soo-keun, Boom, player representatives Seonghun, Yoon Seongbin, Lee Yongdae, An Seonghun, Lunait Kael and others who talked about the show.
Spike War is a sports variety program that captures stars' volleyball battles on an 18X9m court. Volleyball legends Kim Sejin, Shin Jinsik and Kim Yohan formed a mixed-gender celebrity volleyball team and began a long journey aiming for an international competition against a Japanese celebrity volleyball team.
When asked what prompted her to plan the program, producer Yi Yujeong said, These days sports variety shows are so dominant in broadcasting that various programs are being made for each sport, but it was puzzling that there wasn't a particularly prominent sports variety show for volleyball. I wondered why and found there is a perception that volleyball is difficult. If The Wonder Coach Kim Yeon-gyeong is a sports show that appreciates the polished advantages of perfected volleyball, we wanted to show that volleyball has the appeal of a recreational sport that can expand its base and be enjoyed together. From absolute beginners to former players, a variety of participants learn volleyball together, fall in love with it, and feel its sincerity. We wanted to create a show that shows that process so viewers might think, Maybe I'll try this too, and be led to participate in community sports themselves.
He added, In fact, coach Kim Yohan spent a long time persuading and proposing the idea. When we went to the Jeongseon volleyball school, it had not only natural scenery but also a good system for training. Seeing people from their teens to their 70s learning and enjoying volleyball, I thought its appeal as an enjoyable sport was clear. Also, the Jeongseon community's devotion to volleyball generously supported production, which played a big role in the program's birth.
Kim Yohan said, After I retired I did a lot of sports variety shows. Because I played football on The Gentlemen's League for three years, some people who don't know me well thought I was a soccer player. I wanted to let people know that I played volleyball. Volleyball is attractive. As a volleyball player, I hoped for a volleyball variety show to exist. There were parts I couldn't do alone, so I kept asking the producer to help. Now that volleyball variety shows are finally emerging, I'm very happy.
When Director General Kim Sejin was asked about Spike War's unique appeal compared with The Wonder Coach, he said, If I compare them, while other shows focus on competition among players, ours can be a family variety show that shows how accessible volleyball can be, and I think viewers will agree. I'm grateful just to have volleyball represented. Since I work at the volleyball federation, I hope many people will see volleyball rules and come to the courts, so I'm thankful to everyone appearing on the show. If you ask about the color of the program, there is a sense of rivalry inside. It's not just a variety show but a sports variety show. You can feel that when you watch. What might be entertaining for some viewers can be a desperate struggle for someone on the court. That struck me and is one of the viewing points.
Coach Shin Jinsik, who joined as a coach, said, It's been a long time since I left volleyball. I was doing other work when Sejin hyung contacted me and asked if I wanted to be part of a volleyball variety show. I said yes. I had been away from volleyball a long time, so I gladly accepted the chance to step back onto the court. Training and playing matches with the players, I felt Spike War's charm: even those who were first exposed to volleyball found it fun, which made me realize volleyball is a truly enjoyable sport. Seeing players enjoying it more than I did and falling for its charm made me happy.
Kim Yohan said, As a volleyball person, I'm grateful and pleased that a volleyball variety show has emerged. Without coaching experience, I wanted to try the challenge, so I became a coach. Our program includes people who are new to volleyball — men and women of all ages, young and old. I wanted to create fun points that anyone can enjoy. After the first match, it felt rewarding because in a team sport almost all players played without much rest and finished the game, and their expressions were so entertaining. The winning team felt joy and the losing team felt regret. The joy and emotion volleyball can provide were shown in the first match. Viewers can feel those emotions and enjoy Spike War with us, and I hope it becomes a program that leads people to play volleyball in their neighborhoods later.
On his impression of being a first-time coach he said, It's not easy. It's difficult. Teaching players who know volleyball and teaching those who don't is like heaven and earth. At first I didn't know how to teach amateurs, so I studied more. It made me think a lot about volleyball and gave me time to study it. No matter how much of a coach you are, competitive spirit rises and you don't want to lose. It shows without me realizing it. The Director General and other coaches have the experience to control that, but as a rookie coach I showed a lot of that, which was challenging.
Producer Yi Yujeong described the composition of the celebrity team, saying, Pro matches have their charms. If you want to see polished high-quality play, watch professional matches. I wanted to show that even those without experience can enjoy it and join in. So we selected about 70% who know nothing about volleyball and about 30% who are former players or have volleyball experience so the matches could be properly run. I wanted to show their growth as they learn volleyball. I wanted to convey the feeling of searching for an un-scratched lottery ticket, and among those here today there are people who proved from the first episode that they were indeed an un-scratched lottery ticket.
She continued, Although it starts as a variety show, the participants have achieved notable results in their fields. Perhaps because of that, they succeed even in new challenges. First, they are people active in diverse fields, even if they don't have volleyball talent. Also, sincerity: we chose people who would lead and participate with their best effort. Finally, perhaps because the players were selected by that standard, they showed astonishing results from the first match. They practiced so hard that some came with bruises and injuries. It shows volleyball is a genre that once you fall for it, you can't get out.
Team captain Lee Soo-keun said, With shows like Our Neighborhood Sports and Run to Live, I did very well whenever I touched sports variety. Inside, it shows competition fiercer than intense war. The celebrities are mixed gender and more than 30 people, so there is intense tension. My personal wish is for young people playing volleyball now to see the show succeed and dream that volleyball can be a popular and great sport, which I hope reaches many volleyball hopefuls. If you want to see high skill, watch professional volleyball. Spike War has laughter, emotion and various fun elements. There are many strong personalities. As it continues people will grow and add value.
Boom, who had no prior connection to volleyball, said, The CP always talked about meeting viewers at their level. I wondered if I could do it, but they said there needs to be someone who matches viewers' level. Volleyball has an image of being difficult. Since I matched the viewers' level, I learned volleyball, felt its fun, and realized volleyball can be greatly loved as a recreational sport. I felt that in the first episode, so I think viewers will be completely absorbed too.
Producer Yi Yujeong said of the two captains, I saw one team as experienced and the other as having growth potential. Mr. Lee Soo-keun formally learned volleyball. I had thought volleyball players had to be tall, but for liberos smaller can be advantageous. He is doing the libero role excellently.
Lee Yongdae said, Because I played badminton I thought volleyball would be easy since it's played with many people, but I was surprised the net is higher than a badminton net. While mastering the basics was difficult, the thrill of spiking was more exhilarating than a badminton smash. When we scored points and did high-fives with members, it was fun, so I thought volleyball is attractive and enjoyable while filming.
Yoon Seongbin said, It was difficult because while some sports focus only forward, this one requires you to pay attention to your surroundings. When I first came, if I didn't receive well, wouldn't I be passing responsibility to others? Those things bothered me each time I received and made me focus on receiving well. When those processes worked well, seeing the team's atmosphere and morale rise had its charm.
Seonghun said, Many people misunderstand that I don't have great athletic ability. When something happens I work hard to reach the basics; I don't have talent. When I was first approached, a volleyball sports variety was so unfamiliar. I had never experienced volleyball and didn't know much, so I wondered why I was recruited. Since they called me, I thought trying an unfamiliar sport as a variety show would be really fun, so I gladly agreed immediately.
An Seonghun, who also challenged running through Run to Live, said, I don't have athletic talent and I'm bad at ball sports. Apart from middle school gym class, I only watched volleyball. Through Spike War I want to show that even people like me who lack aptitude for ball sports and are not tall can enjoy and participate funly. I like nicknames, and while spiking gives me thrill, I feel more when I receive. My goal is to become volleyball's "spider hands."
Lunait Kael, who is also a former volleyball player, said, After quitting volleyball I always felt regret and longing for the brilliant moments when I used to fly on the court, so I'm honored to have the opportunity to show those brilliant past moments to fans and viewers as an idol rather than as a volleyball player. He added, There were many problems. After a long break my jump wasn't good and after practicing once I would have body aches the next day and couldn't do well. But the coaches and players helped so much that my skills improved.
When Director General Kim Sejin was asked about Spike War's final goal, he said, We have to see the players grow. I always think we must win matches, so for now I am the Director General setting up both teams, but ultimately we aim for an all-star Korea-Japan match. Even now I'm exchanging schedules with the coordinator by text. As someone who works at the Korea Volleyball Association, beyond making a volleyball variety show I plan to support whatever is needed to raise the atmosphere for playing volleyball, whether it's a Korea-Japan match or other needs, so depending on viewer reactions and the opinions of the players and coaches, we'll move quickly. I will make the two teams compete to the end. There will be comprehensive tests, invitations to other teams, and matches with students, but ultimately depending on how the two teams' players grow, the team that wins the final victory will be prioritized for benefits.
Finally Lee Soo-keun said, Spike War has emotion, fun and growth. I think Spike War will make a big contribution to revitalizing volleyball. Kim Yohan added, We're working so hard you could say we're pouring our souls into it. The producer helped a lot, but there are many behind-the-scenes staff working tirelessly. Since it's our first volleyball variety, there have been many trial-and-error moments and difficulties, but we're filming hard through these tough processes, so please watch it with affection and enjoy it.
Producer Yi Yujeong also said, We prepared this because we wanted to give viewers a cheerful and refreshing variety show gift to melt away their daily fatigue. During production the players showed astonishing skills beyond expectations and intense competitive spirit delivering real matches. We are creating it with one heart and sincerity, so please watch our program as it grows, develops and deepens.
[Photo] MBN
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