Adrenaline-Packed Debut: 'Real Men Travel in Kyushu' with Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook, and Daesung

'Real Men Travel in Kyushu' featuring Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook, and Daesung exploded with adrenaline and chemistry from the very first episode, marking the birth of a must-watch show.

Aired on Tuesday, the 21st at 8:40 PM, SBS Plus's 'Real Men Travel in Kyushu' recorded a peak household rating of 0.9% (Nielsen, metropolitan area, paid broadcast), making it the highest-rated original program launched this year. The episode reunited Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook, and Daesung, who first met as guests and MCs on the hit variety show 'Family Outing' in the early 2000s, for their first travel adventure in 17 years.

Gathering at the airport on the day of departure, Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook, and Daesung created a lively atmosphere with their cheerful synergy. Daesung, who debuted in variety shows with 'Family Outing,' showcased his comedic flair with over-the-top gestures and nonstop banter towards Kim Jong-kook. Meanwhile, Choo Sung-hoon and Kim Jong-kook reminisced about the legendary 'Kim Jong-kook throw' incident from 'Family Outing,' sparking playful bickering.

Upon arriving at Kumamoto Airport in Japan, the trio visited an unmanned gym. Fitness enthusiasts Kim Jong-kook and Choo Sung-hoon marveled at the equipment, while Daesung, following their lead, volunteered as a personal trainer. Choo Sung-hoon humorously donned a 'mouthpiece' for a self-whitening service, while Kim Jong-kook demonstrated a 'hair removal show' by pulling out leg hair with his bare hands, claiming, "Real men pluck hair with their hands."

The trio then headed to Kumamoto's top-rated steakhouse, indulging in premium cuts like the 'Chateaubriand' priced at 120,000 won per kilogram. Kim Jong-kook, who even chewed on clam shells in his tofu stew, boasted, "I've never been to a dentist," earning the title of "crazy real man" from Daesung. Choo Sung-hoon added to the hilarity by claiming, "Real men don't brush their teeth," and jokingly suggested using a jump rope as dental floss.

The trio then visited Japan's top sauna, where Choo Sung-hoon encouraged Kim Jong-kook, who was wary of people secretly taking photos, to embrace the attention. In a sauna room with a club-like atmosphere, they faced a heatwave performance with temperatures soaring to 100 degrees Celsius. Daesung recreated the Coachella vibe with his original dance to 'Look at Me, Gwisun.' Exhausted from the heat, they sought true relaxation in the baths, with Daesung experiencing his first cold bath and waterfall under the guidance of his older brothers.

However, their journey wasn't without challenges. The trio encountered a 'bug vending machine' filled with edible insects, a future food source in Japan. Despite trying to avoid tasting the insects due to their high price, they ended up playing rock-paper-scissors to determine who would eat silkworms, edible scorpions, and water bugs. Kim Jong-kook, tasked with eating silkworms, cringed at the crunchy sound and old sock smell. Daesung, faced with an edible scorpion, squirmed at the sight.

Lastly, Choo Sung-hoon, who drew the short straw with the water bug, protested, "Let's not do this!" and clung to Kim Jong-kook in fear. Despite his reluctance, he ate the water bug, trembling at the taste and exclaiming, "This isn't right!!" The 'insect mukbang' filled with expletives marked the beginning of their 'dopamine party,' promising more excitement to come.

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