Baek Jong-won, 8 years of tvN’s lazy planning

‘Seo Jin’s appearance’ can already be seen in tvN’s new entertainment show ‘Business Genius Baeksajang’. Also, the shadow of ‘Youn’s Kitchen’ is still dark.

tvN's 'Business Genius Baeksajang' (directed by Lee Woo-hyung), which is set to air for the first time on April 2, is a program in which Baek Jong-won, a Korean restaurant management expert, starts a business and runs it in a wasteland of Korean food. It is also called 'Baek Jong-won's challenge to become a global rice seller.'

‘Business Genius Baeksajang’ will show the process of Baek Jong-won carrying out tasks to capture the tastes of locals in Morocco, Africa, a wasteland of Korean food, and Naples, Italy, the city of gastronomy.

However, unfortunately, 'Business Genius Baeksajang' is not free from the impression that it is similar to 'Seojin's', which is currently airing. The process of selling food overseas and observing the reactions of the people of that country is repeated. The same was true for ‘Youn’s Restaurant’, which was headed by Yoon Yeo-jeong.

In addition, the process of dividing roles between the CEO, employees, youngest member, and part-time worker is also similar. It is by no means a new point of observation. 'Business Genius Baeksajang' features Baek Jong-won, along with actor Lee Jang-woo, singers BamBam, John Park, and Kwon Yuri. The only difference between ‘Seojin’s’ and ‘Youn’s Kitchen’ is that they are different characters.

Baek Jong-won made his name known through MBC's 'My Little Television' in 2015 and has appeared in more than 10 cooking entertainment shows so far. And that too with his own name in front of it. Baek Jong-won's cooking entertainment shows have appeared countless times, such as 'Backpacker', 'Back Father', 'Back Split', and 'Baek Jong-won Class'.

Baek Jong-won cooked customized food within a limited time or place. When the co-stars were on the verge of failure, they were able to revive them and always maintained the same concept.

The emphasis on the chemistry between teacher and favorite student was also the same. In each broadcast, a new ‘Baek Jong-won disciple’ is created. The only favorite students mentioned so far are Kim Dong-jun, Andy, Yang Se-hyung, Sung Yu-ri, Kim Hee-chul, Kyuhyun, Kwak Dong-yeon, Nam Sang-mi, Baro, and Son Ho-jun.

In this episode of 'Business Genius Baek Jong-won', Lee Jang-woo is expected to become his favorite student from the teaser. The phrase ‘video without even looking at it’ comes to mind.

Baek Jong-won has been replicating himself with the same look for 8 years since 'Maritel' in 2015. This is a point that can feel boring to viewers as well. If Baek Jong-won remains stagnant for a long time, it is difficult for Baek Jong-won to achieve qualitative growth in broadcasting. Because there is no more freshness.

The problem is not just with the actor Baek Jong-won. Even broadcasters who repeat boring and unreasonable patterns cannot escape controversy. As if it were stuck in a routine, the same format as other entertainment shows, with only the cast and location changed, is being mechanically repeated.

tvN made the same plan without much thought, relying on the success and familiarity of similar works as collateral. The number of viewers voicing their dissatisfaction with entertainment shows that are easily made with lazy planning skills is increasing.

The producers emphasize that they have created their own ‘distinctive point’ by varying the food, sales location, and cast lineup. Although the overall framework is the same, only small details have been changed, which is justified as a 'difference point'.

In the end, it is an endless variation based on the success of ‘Youn’s Kitchen’. Although the number of tvN entertainment programs has increased, the criticism that similar formats are flooding in cannot be avoided.

tvN chose safe viewership ratings rather than taking on new challenges. Even if it is not a huge success, a certain level of viewership and topicality can be guaranteed. However, if similar format entertainment shows are mass-produced within one broadcasting company, there is a high possibility that development will be hindered. Sometimes courageous investments or experimental content are needed rather than repetition of existing formats.

Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr