Surviving in a Dystopia: Yoo Seung-ho and Bibi Must Watch EBS' 'The Last of Us' [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

From actor Yoo Seung-ho to singer Bibi, they travel to 2038, when the Earth's system began to collapse due to climate disasters, to survive.

On the afternoon of the 1st, the EBS special program 'The Last of Us' production press conference was held at the Glad Yeouido in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. In attendance were PD Lee Mi-sol, actor Yoo Seung-ho, comedian Lee Eun-ji, singer Bibi, neuroscientist Jang Dong-sun, and Jang Hong-je, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Kwangwoon University.

Supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, 'The Last of Us' is the world's first 'science survival reality' set in the near future of 2038, when the Earth's system began to collapse due to climate disasters. It features seven cast members who challenge themselves to survive in extreme environments using science.

On this day, PD Lee stated, "It may feel somewhat like science fiction, but it takes place at the actual historical site 'Biosphere 2.' While creating a program with science, I felt that explanatory content had its limits, so this time I wanted to emphasize the reality aspect."

The stage for the program is the actual closed ecosystem experimental facility 'Biosphere 2.' Built in 1991, it is the world's largest closed ecosystem experimental facility, where eight crew members once conducted a self-sufficient survival experiment for two years, completely cut off from the outside world. 'The Last of Us' does not start as a simple science fiction fantasy but begins its story on the continuum of the climate crisis we are currently experiencing.

PD Lee explained, "The 'Biosphere 2' experiment started with the question, 'If we design an environment like space, can we live in space too?' However, the crew members who completed the experiment realized how sophisticated this 'universe' was and finished the experiment. Although it was labeled a 'failure,' I do not think so."

The final seven selected were Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Eun-ji, Bibi, Jang Dong-sun, Lee Nak-jun (Han-sang-i), an otolaryngologist and web novel author, Jang Hong-je, and NASA Earth scientist Kim Han-gyeol (Dr.). The seven will cross the vast desert of Arizona, USA, and enter a historic survival base to test the possibility of survival outside Earth.

Regarding the seven-person team, PD Lee explained, "I knew Yoo Seung-ho was very interested in environmental issues. Lee Eun-ji also serves as an environmental ambassador. I did some background research to cast people who would take the program seriously. Bibi's case is a bit more special. We consulted with scientists, and one of them recommended Bibi."

He continued, "The setup may look like variety entertainment, but we approached it from a documentary perspective. It will end like a grand documentary. EBS is good at documentaries, isn't it? The message itself is very EBS-like. We hope viewers will enjoy it more happily and easily."

Yoo Seung-ho said, "I was truly happy to meet the other six members. It was a great relief and joy to be with such smart people," sharing his thoughts on the chemistry with the cast.

Lee Eun-ji expressed her affection for the program, saying, "As a variety entertainer, I thought that collaborating with educational content was both a challenge and a good experience. Since the new perspectives of experts and non-experts were interesting, I think viewers will enjoy it too. All the processes of completing missions to survive in 'Biosphere 2' are memorable."

She added, "It was not an environment where I could display my usual variety entertainment performances, but despite that, we filmed it very happily. I am glad to have met this program while walking the path of variety entertainer Lee Eun-ji."

Bibi laughed, saying, "Since the location was a very hot and dry area, finding water itself was the first mission. I think I'm a 'story addict.' I enjoy cause-and-effect relationships and plot resolutions, so I filmed with a happy heart."

Jang Dong-sun said, "I thought about whether this meeting would be advantageous for survival, and I thought the combination was interesting, so the survival probability would be high."

Jang Hong-je said, "I thought they were a motley crew more than expected. But I thought this was real. Isn't it not just about matching the combination to survive? It was a fun experience," eliciting laughter.

Yoo Seung-ho is well known for his strong interest in environmental issues. He stated, "I am just interested in the environment. I am not doing anything as hard as great environmental activists. As an individual, I am practicing what is possible. After filming this program, I realized how convenient our lives are and felt gratitude for small things. I once again firmly decided that I must consistently do the things I set my mind to for the sake of a beautiful Earth."

He continued, "I studied hard but was not good at studying, and I exercised hard but was not good at exercising. There are many different people, so surely there must be ordinary humans like me. Everyone has at least one talent. It is a pity that my talent happened to be unnecessary for survival, but I think I can show that even an ordinary person like me can survive well."

Bibi, who heard this from the side, teased Yoo Seung-ho, saying, "I do not think so. Just seeing your beautiful face makes me want to live one more day," bringing laughter.

When asked how it felt to return to reality after finishing the program, Yoo Seung-ho said, "I thought what was truly needed was 'people.' After facing reality again, I thought people must love and embrace each other. I returned to reality with the thought that we must understand each other more."

Bibi recalled, "The Earth is so big that we don't even recognize our existence and just live. But in 'Biosphere 2,' it felt like viewing a small Earth from a third-party perspective. After being inside and coming out, and returning as an Earthling, I actually felt hope and a refreshing feeling."

Finally, when asked about the viewing points, PD Lee urged, "Please watch until the end," and Jang Hong-je said, "I can't watch the broadcast either, so I am curious."

Bibi confidently stated, "I am curious about how the cast's chemistry will turn out, and I think it will be fun," while Yoo Seung-ho added, "There are not only scientific aspects but also fun moments, so please watch it with enjoyment."

Lee Eun-ji confidently said, "It does not matter if it is variety or documentary. If it is fun, that is the best. I realized that if viewers find it interesting, that is the best. The American Arizona scenery filmed by the best EBS filming team will be amazing."

Jang Dong-sun urged, "If you watch our program until the end, it will truly help with survival. Please watch it with the question, 'If I were the last human left on Earth, how would I live?'"

Meanwhile, 'The Last of Us' will premiere on the 4th at 10:50 PM.

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*This content was translated by AI.