“I’m sick of it, I’m sick of it” The entertainment industry urgently needs ventilation… Park Bo-gum plans to invigorate

Actors who were difficult to meet in fields other than work took on the challenge to bring new excitement to the entertainment industry. As if responding to the critical view that entertainment casts are one-size-fits-all, production crews are also making efforts to diversify the composition of the cast. Examples of actors such as Yoo Hae-jin and Cha Seung-won, who were active in entertainment shows, are also said to have led to positive changes in perception.

Go Min-si joined Season 2 of tvN's 'Seojin'. 'Seojin's' is a program that follows actor Seojin Lee, who was promoted from director of 'Youn's Restaurant' to president, and sets up a small snack bar overseas and runs the store. 'Youn's Kitchen' ended in March 2018, and filming for Season 1 of 'Seojin's' ended in May last year. 'Seojin's 2', in which Go Min-si joins the cast, is scheduled to be filmed in Iceland, and the broadcast date has not been set.

Previously, Park Bo-gum and Ji Chang-wook also announced their appearance on the entertainment show. The two actors announced that they will appear in JTBC's 'My Name is Gabriel' (hereinafter 'Gabriel'), which is being prepared for broadcast in June. ‘Gabriel’ is a program where you go abroad and experience the lives of others. This is a new work by producer Kim Tae-ho, who directed MBC's 'Infinite Challenge', and there is a lot of interest even before it starts.

'Seojin's 2' and 'Gabriel' are similar in that they are directed by a famous producer who boasts star-level popularity and that they go overseas. Add to that the news of the appearance of young actors who are rarely seen in entertainment, and you can see what the trend of entertainment is these days.

After the pandemic, viewership on OTT platforms and YouTube has increased, and the public is enjoying TV broadcasts less than before. The reduced programming and lower viewership ratings prove this. With the creation of various platforms, the quality of content has improved, the public's expectations have risen, and it is an environment where viewers can feel the limitations of TV programs.

The cast also played a role in this sense of boredom. If you compare the programs broadcast in the 2000s and 2024, you can see that the celebrities appearing on the screen have not changed much. A whopping 20 years have passed, but there has been almost no generational crossover in the broadcasting industry. Of course, it is said that the people who occupy the main roles are outstanding both then and now, but the public cannot help but feel that it is a cliche.

This characteristic is especially noticeable in entertainment programs. Even if a new program is launched, it is difficult to get a fresh feeling because celebrities who have appeared before are in important positions. It used to seem fun and loyal to form their own 'line' through friendship with main celebrities or PDs, but now it seems boring and cliché. As programs launched with familiar cast members repeatedly failed to meet viewers' expectations, the public lowered their expectations for TV programs and gradually increased their dependence on OTT platforms and YouTube channels.

However, it is impossible for the broadcast production team to create a completely new and fresh cast for the entertainment program. Even if it feels cliché, veteran entertainment celebrities have irreplaceable capabilities and popularity. The production team also sensed viewers' boredom and took action. That's how actors and idol singers who are rarely seen in entertainment can join the program. Park Bo-gum, Go Min-si, and Ji Chang-wook, who recently announced their appearance in entertainment programs, are also included in these cases.

This is not the first time that an actor or idol has become a regular on an entertainment program. There were many of them before, including SBS' 'Running Man' and KBS2's '2 Days & 1 Night'. The programs cited as examples are good examples of positive synergy between entertainers and actors, but on the contrary, there were many cases where this was not the case. Rather than the cast harmonizing together, in an effort to be considerate of celebrities who are somewhat awkward in entertainment, they forcefully gave characters and boosted them, causing discomfort to viewers.

It is not easy for actors who are fresh but inexperienced in entertainment to demonstrate synergy with entertainment veterans. However, I believe that if they work faithfully with a sense of responsibility, they will be able to receive recognition for their new charms and create a unique personality for the program, just as they were loved through their work.

Ten Asia Reporter Lee So-jeong forusojung@tenasia.co.kr