"Extreme 84" PD directly revealed the background behind planning the program.
Today (30th) the new MBC variety show "Extreme 84," which premieres today, is an ultra-extreme running variety show that depicts Kian84's journey as he challenges a "marathon in extreme environments." Following Kian84's challenge and growth from a "runner who ran alone" to "crew leader 84," it contains a human narrative about surpassing limits.
Park Su-bin, the PD in charge of directing, said through the program's planning background and production behind-the-scenes that "Extreme 84" is not a simple marathon variety show but a journey that explores the human inner self and the essence of challenge.
"Extreme 84" will premiere tonight at 9:10 p.m.
The following is the full Q&A with the "Extreme 84" PD.
Q. What prompted the planning of "Extreme 84"?
Seeing up close the authenticity of running and the spirit of challenge that Kian84 showed through domestic and international marathon filming, we wanted to create a stage where he could expand his own limits. Although he is someone who has endured and run alone, moments when his expression and breathing change when he is with someone were particularly impressive. Because he enjoys running consistently despite a busy schedule and has such deep passion that he even attempts mountain running, we planned "Extreme 84" to portray a "journey that expands challenges," not merely participation.
Q. How does it differ from the marathon episode of I Live Alone?
If I Live Alone focused on Kian84's personal "first full marathon challenge," "Extreme 84" is a project that realizes the curiosity and adventurous spirit he has spoken about toward a "marathon he has never seen before" through extreme races around the world. We structured it so viewers can experience the fear in unfamiliar environments and the emotional flow of overcoming it together, and this time we wanted to add a crew journey rather than a solitary fight by having him not run alone.
Q. What "Kian84 narrative" did you most want to show through this project?
It is the essence of being a "person who does not stop challenging." Kian84 has a strong drive of "let's just try it!" for anything, and there is a message I wanted to convey in the very act of him constantly seeking unfamiliar goals and challenges beyond the challenges he has already undertaken. The complex emotions that arise when Kian84, born in '84, throws himself into new challenges; the turbulence from the desire to do well that prevents fully enjoying the present; the change that occurs when a race he has always fought alone becomes different when shared with crew members—these are the core of the Kian84 narrative. Above all, because Kian84 does not hide raw emotions such as human instinct, desire, fear and joy, that honesty is precisely what viewers love, and it is the story we most wanted to portray richly in "Extreme 84."
Q. Why did you recruit hidden runner Kwon Hwa-woon?
It was important that the person could both stimulate and lead Kian84. Unlike Kian84, who still has goals he wants to break, actor Kwon Hwa-woon drew attention in the running world by achieving a sub-3 time just six months after starting running, breaking big goals in a short time, so his perspective and approach to extreme marathons differ from Kian84's. Because of that, within a race run together rather than alone, the tension and moments of growth created by different paces and perspectives will be vividly shown to viewers.
Q. What scenes should viewers pay attention to in the first broadcast?
The marathons Kian84 challenges this time are extreme courses you've never heard of. They are characterized by difficulty beyond imagination and environments that make you wonder, "Can you really run in a place like this?" Among the three extreme marathons, the first broadcast will reveal which marathon Kian84 wanted to challenge first. If you pay attention especially to the brutal courses that make you gape and the emotions and expressions Kian84 shows in front of them, you will vividly feel how intense and human his challenge is.
Q. A message to viewers waiting for "Extreme 84"
Through "Extreme 84" you can see marathons that are hard to experience anywhere else. When he surpasses self-imposed limits and advances toward his goals, and in the process of running with a crew rather than alone, encouraging and leading each other, you will feel a side of Kian84's authenticity that you have not seen before. I hope you look forward to Kian84's sincere challenge that is not a simple run but a human challenge and growth, running steadily even in extreme environments.
[Photo] Provided by MBC.
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