'Unnie's Farm Direct in Calape' Delivers Laughter and Chemistry in Debut Episode

'Unnie's Farm Direct in Calape' has captivated audiences with its first episode, showcasing the hilarious and chaotic survival journey of Yum Jung-ah, Park Jun-myeon, Dex, and Kim Hye-yoon, who find themselves in a laborious nightmare instead of a vacation. The fresh chemistry between Dex, born in 1995, and Kim Hye-yoon, born in 1996, is receiving a warm response from the public.

On Thursday, the 16th, the first episode of tvN's variety show 'Unnie's Farm Direct in Calape' aired, featuring the adventurous journey of the four siblings as they traveled to Bohol, Philippines. What was supposed to be a vacation turned into unexpected labor and hardships, yet the undeniable chemistry among the siblings shone brightly, bringing genuine laughter to viewers.

The episode recorded an average nationwide household rating of 3.0%, peaking at 3.7%. It also ranked first in its time slot among cable and general programming channels in the metropolitan area. tvN's target demographic of men and women aged 20-49 also saw the show achieving the top spot across all channels, including terrestrial networks, showcasing the show's consistent strength. (Nielsen Korea, based on paid platforms)

The opening scene featured a delightful pre-meeting of the siblings. Close friends Yum Jung-ah, Park Jun-myeon, and Dex continued their banter even after a three-month reunion. Notably, Park Jun-myeon revealed a noticeably changed appearance after losing 10kg. Joining them as the new youngest member was Kim Hye-yoon, a professional recognized by Yum Jung-ah. Kim expressed her determination to accomplish anything, while Dex humorously shared his mixed feelings about transitioning from the 'eternal youngest' to an 'older brother.'

The production team promised the cast a vacation abroad as a reward for their hard work over the summer and winter seasons. However, the revealed itinerary was shocking, filled with 'labor.' The siblings protested, questioning, "How is labor a vacation?" This led to an intriguing mission where they could change their vacation schedule by succeeding in the 'Outstanding Worker Verification Test' to earn coins.

Proven powerhouse worker Dex successfully split three apples with his bare hands in just 14 seconds, earning one coin. Kim Hye-yoon, despite her sisters' concerns about her being a 'romance actress,' showcased her quick reflexes by catching a piece of toast with her mouth, earning another coin. Park Jun-myeon, who passed the 'absolute taste test,' helped the siblings earn a total of three coins, allowing them to partially change their schedule.

The much-anticipated vacation destination was Bohol, a hidden gem in the Philippines known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Upon arrival, the siblings briefly enjoyed the exotic scenery before starting their first labor task at 6 a.m. After an hour's journey, they arrived at a mangrove swamp, where their first task was to catch the local delicacy, 'alimango' (crabs), a challenging task even for locals. The siblings had to catch four alimango to earn one coin, diving into the mud for a fierce battle.

However, the situation was far from smooth from the start. In the treacherous environment of deep mudflats, the siblings struggled to maintain their balance, frequently exclaiming, "How is this a vacation?" and "I want to go home," likening the task to "finding a needle in a haystack." As they blindly dug through crab holes, they became increasingly covered in mud and exhausted.

After over an hour of struggle, Park Jun-myeon was the first to catch an alimango. Dex followed suit, catching two more, showcasing his ace skills. However, earning coins was no easy feat. Yum Jung-ah, who caught none, felt apologetic towards her siblings, while the youngest, Kim Hye-yoon, humorously showed signs of 'darkening.' The episode ended with a teaser of Yum Jung-ah's relentless final struggle, leaving viewers curious about whether the siblings could turn their 'labor' into a 'vacation.'

'Unnie's Farm Direct in Calape' captivated viewers from its first episode with the unpredictable survival story of the siblings, who thought they were on vacation, and their struggle to change their schedule. Led by the reliable 'big hand' Yum Jung-ah, the upgraded 'laughing spoon' Park Jun-myeon, the versatile worker and flirting master Dex, and the meticulous treasurer and new youngest Kim Hye-yoon, the siblings' genuine family chemistry shone brightly, eliciting enthusiastic responses from viewers. Audiences praised the show, saying, "The siblings' chemistry is amazing," "It was worth the wait," and "It's incredibly entertaining."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr