A travel variety show that fully charges dopamine instead of healing is coming. Singer Bi, actor Kim Moo Yul, creator Panibottle, and WINNER's Lee Seung Hoon even signed written pledges to take on the challenge of "Crazy Tour."
The production press conference for cable channel ENA's new variety program "Crazy Tour" was held on the 27th at 2 p.m. at the Sangam DMC Prugio S-city Shocking K-pop Center located in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The production press conference was attended by cast members Bi, Kim Moo Yul, Panibottle, and Lee Seung Hoon, as well as PD Oh Dong In and PD Song Ga Hee, who introduced the show in person.
"Crazy Tour" is a spin-off program based on the world of ENA's representative travel variety show "Earth Marble World Tour," and it is a travel variety show that goes in search of only crazy experiences. Four people hungry for dopamine and thrills — Bi (Jung Jihoon), Kim Moo Yul, Panibottle, and WINNER's Lee Seung Hoon — will seek out "crazy" places hidden around the world and challenge activities and missions to deliver intense catharsis.
Panibottle, who is sincere about activities and challenges, will act as the linking element connecting "Earth Marble World Tour" to "Crazy Tour" as part of the spin-off chain.
First, Panibottle said, "First of all, there are the former "Earth Marble" winners KwakTube and Wonji, and although we didn't receive the program because of that, I felt like we did, so I think fans of KwakTube and Wonji might feel a bit disappointed. Because of that I also worked a little harder," asking viewers to look forward to the show.
Through "Crazy Tour," Panibottle met new travel partners Bi, Kim Moo Yul, and Lee Seung Hoon. He said, "I thought Bi hyung might act like 'I'm a world star' since he's a world star, but working with him there was no such tank. That's the most important element. Seeing unexpected people do things, just now Seung Hoon made a slightly mocking pose but he accepted everything. That amazed me and I felt, 'indeed, a superstar is different.'"
He continued about Kim Moo Yul, "He has aura and presence, so I thought he wouldn't talk much and would be serious. Personally, he said so many silly things that I worried about his future career, and he often reminded me of Gwe-do. It was a trip that constantly delighted my ears without a break."
He added, "Seung Hoon and I became close after meeting on another program, so we had traveled together before. Back then I felt like I was assisting the elders, but this time I became a 'kkondae hunter' and whenever there was even a little gap I dug in."
Panibottle, along with Bi who does not shy away from challenges and Kim Moo Yul, who is trying variety for the first time, plus the youngest Lee Seung Hoon who will show honest and confident charm, join to create anticipation that the four men's bromance and team spirit will generate new dopamine.
Kim Moo Yul is trying variety for the first time through "Crazy Tour." He said, "Following friends to Gangnam, I think that was the feeling when I heard Jihoon might do this. Actually, before casting decisions were made I spoke on the phone with Jihoon. When I asked if he would do it he didn't hesitate much and said things like 'let's do it, let's go' casually," explaining how he decided to appear.
He said, "When I met with the production team and they told me about the dopamine-filled, thrill-filled experiences, I don't think I had much sense of reality at that time. After actually traveling, I realized I had been living forgetting what a sense of reality was, and I once again felt alive. Because the experiences are hard to have easily, in conclusion I don't regret following my friends to Gangnam."
Bi also said of this trip, "At first when I saw the proposal I thought it would be very new, to experience all the craziness in the world. Among the members going, I personally liked Panibottle a lot. Lee Seung Hoon is in the same industry but we hadn't crossed paths; I felt he was very steady and sincere, but as you will see there were many moments that surprised me. Still, if Seung Hoon hadn't been among these four members, I think the trip would have been really boring."
He continued, "Kim Moo Yul and I went to the same school since we were young and are classmates with many shared memories. Going together this time brought back old memories and it was a grateful journey," adding, "Actually I had many concerns about starting this. I wondered if it would be a clichéd trip, but after doing it it was physically exhausting, and the director often asked things with a smile. It's fun, the planning is fresh and innovative, but I got quite angry at times," asking viewers to look forward to it.
Lee Seung Hoon also said, "I became much closer with Panibottle while doing 'Taegye Ilju' season 4. I always watched in the studio thinking 'When will I be able to travel too,' but no one ever asked me to join. When this casting came in I impulsively thought I could excitedly go on the trip and show them, so I appeared," expressing his excitement.
In particular, Lee Seung Hoon introduced himself as a 'kkondae hunter' and revealed with laughter, "Among the kkondaes, the kkondae is Bi hyung. He is a senior directly above me in the music industry so it was difficult. He was also an idol when I was young, but he kept talking about old stories — riding a private plane to attend a show, stories from the music awards era." He added about Kim Moo Yul, "He treated me like a friend and like a lover. He was warm," and about Panibottle, "He is MZ. His personal time is really important to him."
"Crazy Tour" focuses on the bromance and team spirit that come from a 'team trip' of four men traveling together as its key viewing points. Unlike "Earth Marble World Tour," which had a competitive structure, the four men's unity toward the same goal is expected to deliver new synergy and fun.
Bi said of this trip, "It's completely different from other programs," adding, "We really suffered a lot. The written pledge we signed before filming was no joke. It said, 'We will not hold anyone responsible even if you actually die.'" He later corrected himself, drawing attention by saying, "I wrote a pledge saying 'It's okay to get a little hurt.'"
PD Oh Dong In said about this, "It was that we guarantee minimal safety," and explained, "It was a signature we obtained to ensure a certain level of resolve."
Lee Seung Hoon also said, "We wrote a lot of written pledges. People say 'celebrities get paid and travel abroad and have it easy,' but we will sound the alarm about that," adding, "It wasn't a trip, it was a survival training," raising expectations. He meant the show offers a different kind of fun from existing celebrity travel programs.
Panibottle mentioned not only the trip but also the chemistry between classmates Bi and Kim Moo Yul. Panibottle said, "If Bi and Kim Moo Yul hyung hadn't been there it would have been difficult. It was a rare scene to directly witness the two hyungs' bickering rather than their usual give-and-take, so it was fun."
Bi, Kim Moo Yul, Panibottle, and Lee Seung Hoon will star in "Crazy Tour," which premieres on the 28th at 7:50 p.m.
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