Easy and accessible cultural entertainment show "Manhakdo Jee-ssi" seeks viewers.
On the 27th, at a cafe in Sangam-dong, Seoul, a press conference was held for the Netflix daily entertainment show "Manhakdo Jee-ssi" (directed by Jeong Dodam, produced by TEO). The event was attended by Jee Seokjin, Oh My Girl member Mimi, and PD Jeong Dodam.
"Manhakdo Jee-ssi" is a reality-focused knowledge exploration entertainment show that breaks down the threshold of knowledge with raw questions. Broadcaster Jee Seokjin and Oh My Girl member Mimi serve as MCs, exploring light but broad knowledge with guests each episode to relieve viewers' intellectual curiosities.
On that day, PD Jeong Dodam explained the program's planning intent and casting behind the scenes: "I usually like watching knowledge programs, and I thought it would be nice to have a light program to watch while doing dishes or showering, so I wanted to start light and easy. So I wanted curious cast members. And I hoped they would bravely ask any question. I thought it would be good to have someone with a wide range of experiences and questions, and then I thought of senior Seokjin. To bridge generations, I thought Mimi could create synergy. That's how the combination came about."
He continued, "Senior Seokjin, because our production team is younger than him, even if we bring expected questions, our experience is lower than his. Questions that come from life are different. When questions come from experience, they are certainly different. I felt that distinction. Also, Mimi asks many questions that unexpectedly strike a chord to the point that I felt she is intermittently a genius. I was often surprised. Should I say she digs into the essence?" he said, expressing anticipation.
When asked about consideration for recruiting other cast members, he said, "It wasn't that we didn't worry during the casting stage. Rather, there was an idea of 'let's carry the two of them as characters.' So we tried to bring questions that are closer to everyday life. From the two's unexpected questions, I expected experts might answer more sharply. So sometimes they responded in a fun way. There were many times the two asked sharp questions, which surprised me. And a distinguishing feature is that we don't give the two scripts. We only give keywords and continue the talk through questions. We do give scripts to experts in advance. Expected questions have set difficulty levels, but occasionally they ask very high-difficulty questions. The teachers were surprised and said, 'This is at the level of a thesis,'" he said.
PD Jeong added, "More novel questions than expected did come out. While filming, I felt more that that could be our distinguishing feature. Many questions touch on everyday life. Questions also arose like, 'So entertainers think about that too.' An expert's recent answer was, 'You could think about it from that aspect.' I liked that. They threw questions in directions I hadn't considered. In that sense, the answers given could be a differentiator from other programs," he explained.
Regarding topics under consideration for the future, he said, "We're thinking about various topics. We're considering medical aspects for health. I want to talk by linking psychology, everyday consumption, and neuroscience, so I want to invite a neuroscientist. But my recent worry is that everything is becoming science. So it tends to keep going toward science, but I want to invite experts from as many fields as possible," expressing his hope and adding, "I remember the first conversation with the Netflix manager during the planning stage. When we thought about a 20-minute length, it's a length you might just pass by, but I wanted people to feel like they watched something worthwhile afterward. That was the start. The current goal is to be light and easy but leave viewers with something they can say to someone they meet, 'Hey, did you know that?' I wanted to start from relatable topics but avoid clichéd stories," he said, describing viewing points.
Jee Seokjin, who will appear as the main MC, was asked about his impressions of his first Netflix appearance and acquaintances' reactions: "First of all, I'm very happy. It would be a lie to say otherwise. Jaesuk also liked it the most. This has to do well for us to smile. I didn't talk with other members. I recently talked about this with Jaesuk, and he liked it. He said he hopes it does well. Personally, it's an honor. I have a goal that it should do well. Netflix has rankings. And being mentioned by people. That seems important," he said, expressing his ambition, and added, "Seeing this title was also very burdensome but felt very good. Anyway, you have to take on challenges in life. If I put my name on it and succeed, I'll be proud. There's pressure, but I'm enjoying it. I was nervous for about a week, but maybe that's a cocky thing to say, but I've gotten used to it," he joked.
He continued, "When the offer came, my first feeling was that they wouldn't require knowledge from us. That basic assumption proved correct. It could be a burden. Other knowledge programs have knowledgeable people telling the story, but we have one knowledgeable person and people who want to have knowledge making the show. And Mimi asks questions without mercy. She asks absurd questions. People are surprised, saying, 'That question?'" He added, "I call myself an 'IT guy,' but I have many shortcomings. I was among the first celebrities to ride an electric car, and it's hard to keep up with the MZ generation, but I'm trying. This is also a life character for me. I think this approach suits entertainment. Actually, there's no opportunity to show off knowledge through this. I'm reflecting on that. Still, I have some knowledge. I often get misunderstood as being intellectual, but doing this makes me feel I'm lacking," he reflected.
Especially after winning the grand prize through "Punggyego" and once again hitting a period of being 'hot,' Jee Seokjin began, "Isn't the award 100% voting? The production staff did a post-talk, and they said they were worried it might not happen even though they'd be very happy if it did," he said. He continued, "Sincerely, I'm not saying I must receive grand prizes on other broadcasters, but it's not that important in my life. If I'm given an award, I'm grateful. But awards carry weight. I dislike that pressure. It's an enormous honor to receive a grand prize, but I didn't live life coveting it," he confessed.
He said, "In the past, I thought you should live in a way that deserves awards, but as you live, you realize all of this is something to be grateful for. It changed like that. From that perspective, it's not a lie to say the weight exists. So I think I met this program. I should live earnestly," he vowed. Regarding his feelings about becoming the main host, he confessed, "It feels different. When I first received the proposal, it was burdensome, but I felt very good. I've come a long way. The original proposal was 'Manhakdo Jee Seokjin,' so I was embarrassed. When it changed to 'Jee-ssi,' it fit perfectly. I felt very good. Accordingly, I don't feel weighed down. But I just want to do it comfortably. I'm also embarrassed," he said.
Mimi, who has recently shown strengths in talk through on-site entertainment and as a judge, was asked about expectations for talk directed at her. She replied, "Rather than pressure, I feel people have very low expectations of me. Those expectations come from a person's usual behavior, but I show it sporadically. Everyone seems to expect, 'She'll show up occasionally.' I'm always living as usual, just doing well today," she joked, adding, "I'm not particularly literary. I'm quite empty, clean, and clear. For viewers seeing this program or professors meeting me for the first time, I might feel the same. Many viewers are more knowledgeable than I am, but I think I still asked curious questions well," she said.
She also talked about the on-site experience. Mimi said, "(Because there is no script) I can't rehearse. There's nothing to do. We ask questions that come up on set. There's some chitchat before filming, and from there filming already begins. Throughout filming, without script rehearsal, we ask things we've been curious about in life. Experts answer them, and that's all a learning time," she said, and Jee Seokjin added, "Mimi's strength is that. 'You're going to ask that? That must be embarrassing?' she does it," prompting laughter.
Mimi also spoke about her chemistry with Jee Seokjin. Mimi said, "Our rhythm matched so well. He led the conversation so well and created the atmosphere, so I followed. Because it's not a vertical relationship but a horizontal one without discomfort, he led so we could be comfortable, so the filming was very fun and enriching the whole time," she boasted. In response, Jee Seokjin said, "I told her to treat me like a friend," and Mimi added, "We're about to speak informally," prompting laughter. She continued, "It's like a mountain. There's always a mountain wherever you go. But you can run around comfortably and be embraced. That aspect feels like a senior," she said affectionately.
Regarding differences from other cultural entertainment shows, Jee Seokjin said, "There are several knowledge entertainment shows. Those people give lectures and react. There's usually one host and several experts. We have many curious people. Our approach to getting closer is different. We really go in unprepared. The rawness will be well expressed," and added, "There are things Mimi's generation is curious about, and there are things I'm curious about from my generation. In the past, when you bought a car, you also bought a map, and you had to wait until the width came out. Back then it seemed unbelievable. Curiosities differ by generation. I think the questions will be broad."
When asked if there is someone he especially hopes will watch the program, Mimi said, "People around me are all smart. I want them all to watch. I want to watch the program once and then discuss it. I can ask professors on set, but others might watch and become curious, so I'd like to do a post-talk," she said, while Jee Seokjin said, "I hope Song Ji-hyo and Lee Kwangsoo watch it a lot. They're very unique friends," leaving a suggestive(?) remark that drew laughter.
Finally, about viewing points, Mimi said, "If the people filming are having fun, I think the viewers will also find it fun. As much as we gain usefully, I hope many watch and enjoy gaining useful information," and Jee Seokjin urged viewing, saying, "When I don't want to think about anything, I watch movies I've already seen. It's called a 'meal friend.' I want to say (that 'Manhakdo Jee-ssi') is a new meal friend," he said.
"Manhakdo Jee-ssi" will release episodes 1 and 2 on Netflix on Mar. 30 (Mon) at 5 p.m. After that, one episode will be released sequentially every Monday at 5 p.m.
[Photo] provided
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