TV
"Why did you cast Lee Sang-yeop, Hwang Kwang-hee? He looks good and speaks English"
'I Am Ground', which is scheduled to air simultaneously on ENA Channel and Channel S on the 23rd, depicts the process of becoming one with friends from all over the world with different languages and nationalities through 'K-Games'. The production team revealed their intention, saying, “We wanted to create a program that would vicariously satisfy the romance of traveling to travel destinations and hanging out with local people.”
Lee Sang-yeop, Hwang Kwang-hee, Kim Min-gyu, and Son Dong-pyo, four 'K-handsome men', have completed a sweet combination, raising curiosity about the casting criteria. Regarding this, the production team explained that they had three criteria for casting, including friendliness with strangers, English skills and sociability, and appearance that can be recognized around the world. He also shared the behind-the-scenes story, saying, “All the cast members had a relationship with Hwang Kwang-hee, so we were able to easily become friends with him.”
The production team emphasized the difference from many existing travel programs, saying, "'I Am Ground' is not a travel program that only shows travel destinations or a game program where only the cast members get along." He also expressed confidence, saying, “There has never been an overseas travel program like this before.” The following is a Q&A with the production team of ‘I Am Ground’.
Q. I’m curious about the planning process. What prompted you to choose ‘K-Games’ as a subject?
This program was first planned at a time when COVID-19 was subsiding and many people were longing to travel abroad. “What kind of overseas trip is everyone dreaming of?” As someone who dreamed of traveling to travel destinations and hanging out with local people, I wanted to create a program that would vicariously satisfy this dream. In addition, when I was a fresh-faced 20-year-old college freshman, I remembered how I first met friends from various regions at MT and became close friends while playing games. “With a game like this, wouldn’t it be easy to become friends with foreigners even if the language and culture are different?” arose my curiosity, which led to the planning of the program.
Q. What were the criteria for recruiting performers? If you have any episodes from the recruiting process, please tell us.
‘A person who can easily get along with strangers on the street and be interviewed’ ranked first. So, we recruited Hwang Kwang-hee and Son Dong-pyo, who have proven their abilities on YouTube. Also, I thought, 'It would be nice to have a cast member who is capable of general communication in English and has good sociability,' and based on recommendations from many people, I proposed to Lee Sang-yeop. Lastly, based on the belief that good looks are popular all over the world, Kim Min-gyu, an 'emerging women's heart killer' with attractive dimples, was recruited and a complete group was created. After recruiting people like this, everyone had a connection with Hwang Kwang-hee. Thanks to this, I was able to become friends with the cast members in a short period of time. Lee Sang-yeop was also the first to be the big brother in the group, and Kim Min-gyu was also the first to not be the youngest, so he felt a bit awkward about his role, but he quickly got used to it and thanked the cast for working so hard.
'I Am Ground' is not a travel program that only shows travel destinations or a game program where only the cast members socialize with each other, but a variety entertainment program that travels to travel destinations and plays games with local people met there. Through filming overseas this time, I felt that ‘K-culture’ is really loved. Thanks to such interest, many foreigners welcomed us warmly and learned ‘K-game’ more quickly and easily. The locals enjoyed the 'K-Game' much more than we expected, and it was touching to see the cast members interact with the locals in this setting. I hope that these scenes will feel fresh to viewers.
Q. What were some difficulties during the production process?
Because there were no similar content references, there were many difficulties for the production team preparing the game and the cast who had to meet foreigners in person. Everyone had a little bit of anxiety, and choosing games to play with locals wasn't easy. Since the games we have played so far were games played with Koreans, there were many difficulties when playing with foreigners who had different languages and cultures. From the tempo that I took for granted to the rules, I had to look at everything from a foreigner's perspective. Even a simple game had to go through a lot of thought, practice, and countless modifications. These games had to be transformed into easier and more friendly games for foreigners who are not familiar with them. Sometimes, I think the most difficult part for the production team was having to give up a game that promised 'big fun' if it was difficult for foreigners to accept.
Q. Please tell viewers why they must watch ‘I Am Ground’.
I can definitely say this. There has never been an overseas travel program like this before. If you've ever wanted to travel abroad and mingle with local people, but couldn't, now 'I Am Ground' will make your dream come true. And if this program continues with the love of viewers, you will soon find yourself ‘introducing yourself as I Am Ground’ with new friends while traveling abroad.
'I Am Ground', which makes friends around the world through 'K-games' that will make everyone's dream of traveling abroad and hanging out with locals of different languages and cultures come true, will be aired simultaneously on ENA and Channel S at 8:30 pm on the 23rd.
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
