The returning 'Documentary 3 Days' delivered the lingering sentiment of that era to viewers exactly as it was.
The KBS 'Documentary 3 Days,' which made a sudden comeback on the 6th, captured 72 hours of the 'Bus 273' that crosses university districts in Seoul.
It began with passengers laughing happily at the sight of the camera. Along with passengers who were pleased about the revival of 'Documentary 3 Days,' the production crew naturally started conversations, and the narration was also handled by singer Yoo Yeol, who comes to mind when people think of 'Documentary 3 Days.'
True to its moniker as the "youth bus" that passes by 10 universities in Seoul, the broadcast showed several college students revealing their faces to the camera and opening up about their worries. From college student Jo Yeong-ho, who said he took the bus to meet friends for a meal, to 32-year-old graduate student Yoo Seong-jong, who laughed at a college student saying they were going shopping for clothes, to Ferdinand, a German who said he came to like Korea after watching Squid Game. Bus 273 was a space that carried the dreams and hopes of various people.
A man who drew attention also appeared. Lee Hyuk-in, who boarded Bus 273 after missing three buses while taking his girlfriend home, said he is scheduled to marry in September this year. Lee Hyuk-in, who shed tears seeing the girlfriend he had just broken up with, said he planned to give her a 'D company' bag as a wedding gift, but added that he has to work harder because of a stock that turned green.
A computer engineering student lamenting about concerns in the AI era also caught attention. Li Chae-ryeong, who was reading a book even during her commute, admitted, "I transferred schools to get in. Since I came to Korea University by transferring, I set a goal and thought I should live earnestly, so I seem to be worrying about what to study."
When the production crew was surprised that she was a first-year university student, Li Chae-ryeong confessed, "The computer engineering department is in crisis now because AI has developed so much that they say there are no jobs... I worry that if I only play around, I might become unemployed," adding that for her youth is "drifting along and missing out on things."
An unexpected 'meal date' was also arranged on the bus. Freshman Park Byeong-jae missed orientation and had no chance to get close to upperclassmen and underclassmen, and his dream of meeting a senior who would buy him a meal also did not come true.
Fourth-year student Im Chan-ju, who sat in the front seat and heard this, approached him saying, "Are you from Hongdae? I'm a fourth-year; I'll buy you a meal," and the two exchanged Instagram IDs and parted to set up the plan. Im Chan-ju explained why he spoke up, saying, "The freshman looked pitiful, unable to get a meal...," and told Park Byeong-jae to pick a menu before leaving.
With the return of 'Documentary 3 Days,' a heartbreaking episode was also shared. Driver Kang Du-hwan, who called the production crew, confessed a special bond, saying, "My father didn't do an interview but appeared briefly on screen. I remember the three seconds of him sitting in the car. I'm the son and now I'm driving."
Kang Du-hwan, who is driving Bus 273 as part of a family tradition, said he often watches the broadcast from 14 years ago. He said, "My father's death anniversary is on the 7th of every month, and I watch it once each time to remember my father. I'm afraid I'll forget, so I try to remember."
On the last day of filming, he unexpectedly met a familiar person again: Park Byeong-jae, who had spontaneously arranged a meal with a senior. He said he had lunch with the senior and showed a satisfied smile, saying, "I had lunch yesterday. We ate together. It was so delicious. I don't know if it's because of the food, but it was delicious."
Thus, the 72 hours of 'Bus 273' came to an end. 'Documentary 3 Days,' returning after four years, preserved that very sentiment and once again conveyed to viewers what power a fleeting ordinary moment and an incidental event that is not surprising to pass by can hold.
With the returning 'Documentary 3 Days' raising expectations for the stories it will show going forward, the episode airing on the 11th will feature the Jinhae Naval band and honor guard as protagonists, with actor Park Bo Gum providing the narration.
[Photo] Provided by KBS 'Documentary 3 Days,' broadcast capture
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