The PD of "My Little Old Boy," which marks its 10th anniversary on air this year, shared his thoughts.
SBS "My Little Old Boy" first aired in August 2016 and will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary. On the 19th, PD Jeong Seong-won, who directed the show, described the 10th anniversary by saying, "In an era when trends change and memes emerge by the day, for one program to be loved unchanged for 10 years is a dream for the production team and a once-in-a-lifetime glory that is hard to encounter."
In particular, PD Jeong credited "the mothers who have guarded the studio every week for 10 years, the cast and crew's efforts, and above all, the viewers who have laughed and cried with us for a long time."
PD Jeong explained that the reason "My Little Old Boy" has been loved for 10 years is, "Family may scold flaws more harshly than others, but in the end they cheerfully embrace even those shortcomings. I think the 'warm and honest family perspective' that is completely different from outsiders' views has been the biggest differentiator and secret that allowed "My Little Old Boy" to exist over the past 10 years."
So far, various cast members such as Kim Hee-cheul, Kim Jun-Ho, Heo Kyunghwan, Lee Dong Gun, Han Hye-jin, Kim Seung-soo, Choi Jin-hyuk and Yoon Hyun-min have appeared, and PD Jeong said about casting criteria, "In the past we focused on the 'pitiful daily life of unmarried old bachelors,' but now we focus on how self-directed and honest they are about their lives and whether there is any gap between their appearance and their actual daily life."
Meanwhile, PD Jeong named singer Shin Seung Hun as someone he would like to work with for the "new My Little Old Boy." "I really want to invite senior Shin Seung Hun, who has a unique color in both music and life. I want to show viewers his human and witty charm hidden behind his characteristic warm and subtle smile," he said.
Below is the full interview with Jeong Seong-won, PD of "My Little Old Boy"
Q. "My Little Old Boy," which has consistently received love as Korea's representative observational variety show, has marked its 10th anniversary. As a director, how do you feel?
A. In an era when trends change and memes emerge by the day, for one program to be loved unchanged for 10 years is a dream for the production team and a once-in-a-lifetime glory. I want to say that it was possible because of the efforts of the Movenjers mothers who have warmly guarded the studio every week for 10 years, the cast, and the production team who worked around the clock. Above all, I sincerely thank the viewers who have always watched over the cast's unseemly daily lives with affection and have laughed and cried with us over the long 10 years.
Q. What is the secret to "My Little Old Boy" being consistently loved for 10 years?
A. Over the past 10 years the cast has done truly varied unlovable things. But no matter how immature or unlovable the cast's actions are, "My Little Old Boy" has the power to make them not look entirely hateful. I think that is the mothers' perspective, the 'Movenjers' who guard the studio. Mothers sometimes sigh deeply, offer affectionate nagging, or at times laugh incredulously. That reaction, added in, transforms scenes that could have been seen as merely 'strange behavior' into moments that are deeply understood and empathized with. That is the biggest strength unique to "My Little Old Boy."
It seems the same when we look at our own families. Even my seemingly perfect brother can be clumsy among his friends, and even my efficient mother can forget small things. There are bound to be shortcomings in front of others, but family looks at my flaws with a completely different perspective. Sometimes they scold more harshly than others, but in the end family cheerfully embraces even those shortcomings. I think the 'warm and honest family perspective' that is completely different from outsiders' views has been the biggest differentiator and secret that allowed "My Little Old Boy" to exist over the past 10 years.
Q. Was there a moment or episode after broadcast that drew bigger attention than expected or surprised the production team?
A. Every episode produces unexpected memorable scenes, but if I had to pick the most impressive recent moment, it would be the "billiards special" that captured the breathtaking duel between seniors Shin Dong-yeob and Tak Jae-Hoon. Filming Shin Dong-yeob not in the studio but on an outdoor site was unusual, and it was a great honor to witness the "match of the century" between the two in person, but what surprised me more was the mothers who watched that footage.
Actually, billiards as a sport is somewhat unfamiliar to the mothers, so from the production team's perspective we worried whether they would be able to immerse themselves and enjoy it. So that day, I was really nervous inside until just before we played the footage for the mothers. But as soon as the video started, at some point the mothers were clasping their hands and completely absorbed in the screen. When a ball narrowly missed, the mothers' heads tilted back with disappointment, and seeing that was truly surprising and touching. I also sincerely thank seniors Shin Dong-yeob and Tak Jae-Hoon, who made billiards, which could have been boring, so entertaining at the mothers' level.
Q. Is there anyone you definitely want to appear on the "new My Little Old Boy"?
A. We have consistently sent love calls to senior Shin Seung Hun, who has a unique color in both music and life, and I would really like to invite him to "My Little Old Boy." He does not often appear in variety shows, so I think viewers would be very curious. I had a few brief opportunities to meet and talk with him at several filming sites. When I met him, behind his nice and gentlemanly demeanor I sensed a subtle desire to make people smile. I want to show viewers his human and witty charm hidden behind his characteristic warm and subtle smile.
Q. What is the most important factor you look for when casting for the "new My Little Old Boy"?
A. In the past we tried to look into the 'pitiful daily life of unmarried old bachelors,' but now we focus on 'how self-directed and honest they are about their lives' and 'whether there is a gap between appearance and daily life.' We are looking for people who seem perfect to others but at home obsess over odd things, or who insist on a firm personal taste that leads to amusing flaws (unlovable acts) in their communication with others. We prioritize charm that is annoying but impossible to hate, and authenticity that shares similar concerns with viewers living in this era.
Q. Having worked with Shin Dong-yeob and Seo Jang-hoon for a long time, are there strengths or charms unique to them?
A. Senior Shin Dong-yeob is like the 'mother' who is responsible for the harmony and peace of the family that is "My Little Old Boy." Even on set, before a take he eases the mothers' tension with warm small talk, and when the talk veers off course he gently steers it back, making him a dependable presence. The reason the cast can play around freely and the Movenjers mothers can speak confidently in front of the cameras without being nervous is more than 90% thanks to Shin Dong-yeob's considerate hosting.
If Shin Dong-yeob is the mother, senior Seo Jang-hoon is like the 'father.' Based on deep affection, he delivers fact-packed blows that no one else dares to, a 'warm but strict' presence. From his deep understanding of single life, he grasps the cast members' feelings better than anyone and does not hesitate to give refreshing, cathartic advice that scratches viewers' frustrations. Seo Jang-hoon's real sighs and realistic advice are a core pillar that keeps the studio talk's tension taut.
Q. Is there an image you want to show viewers through "My Little Old Boy" going forward?
A. It seems that social norms and values have changed a lot since "My Little Old Boy" first started 10 years ago. We want to guard against the 'inertia' that long-running programs can fall into and be a program that always breathes with the ever-changing flow of the times. In line with an era in which single-person households and being unmarried are becoming more natural, we plan to expand the show's scope by respecting diverse lifestyles and tastes rather than confining the cast's daily lives to merely 'pitiful and sad.' We will steadfastly keep our place as a "young and trendy human sitcom" that can discover new surprising charms every week and make the whole family laugh across generations.
Q. Please say a word to the viewers who have been with you for 10 years
A. Over the 10 years, it is because viewers welcomed the cast of "My Little Old Boy" into their homes every Sunday night and laughed with us that today's "My Little Old Boy" exists. Even when you clicked your tongue at the cast's immature actions, your broad hearts that found small warmth inside moved our production team the most. Beyond 10 years, we will be a reliable friend-like show that can comfortably and pleasantly conclude your tired Sunday nights. We are always grateful and ask for your continued interest and love.
[Photo] SBS
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