[Exclusive]"I thought Dahyoung would succeed; Park Ji-hoon is a born star." — What PDs Lee Yeon-gyu and Park Chi-heon saw regarding star potential and production realities [★Research Institute][Interview ④]

*This content was translated by AI.

[Editor’s Note] [★Research Institute] StarNews meets people who drive the entertainment industry, uncovering their unique know-how and success strategies. We introduce the practical experience and philosophy of those who quietly pave the way behind the scenes of glamorous stars.

-Continuing from Interview ③.

PDs Lee Yeon-gyu and Park Chi-heon continued to ponder what stories to tell and how to convey them amid a rapid shift in content consumption patterns. With the boundaries between broadcast, OTT, YouTube, and short-form platforms blurring, they noted that the content production environment itself has changed significantly. They also shared their thoughts on market changes, the difficulties of the production environment, and projects they hope to take on in the future.

The two stated that the content market has become far more competitive than ever before. PD Lee said, "In the past, competing programs aired in the same time slot were rivals, but now we live in an era where we must compete with numerous platforms, including YouTube."

He continued, "With so many innovative plans and content being produced, it has actually become more challenging for producers. We constantly worry about how to make our program stand out among the vast amount of content."

PD Park also cited the rapidly changing trends as his biggest concern. He said, "Trends have become so fast that they can no longer be called trends. It is no longer easy to catch a trend in an instant and turn it into a single program. Often, by the time a program goes through planning and editing and airs, the trend has already passed."

He also noted, "Production costs keep rising while the content consumption environment changes. Securing competitiveness is the biggest challenge."

Even amidst a fiercely competitive production environment, the two PDs have watched the potential of stars with their own unique perspectives after spending long years working with countless artists and programs. Naturally, the conversation turned to "stars they sensed would succeed."

PD Lee said, "I always thought WJSN member Dahyoung would make it. I had a feeling she would one day step onto the stage wearing the perfect outfit for her. Even when we worked together on previous programs, she remained strong-willed even in difficult situations and was an artist who worked harder than anyone else. I believe the current success is also a result of her own efforts."

Regarding Park Ji-hoon, he recalled, "When I saw the wink scene, the reaction on set was incredible. Everyone said, 'Wow.' No one told him to do it. That is true talent. It was excellent. I felt he was someone with a born star quality."

Amid a rapidly changing environment, the two PDs are also sketching out blueprints for the content they hope to take on in the future. PD Lee stated, "I want to challenge a new form of survival program that is not a music audition."

PD Park said he dreams of creating content with a calmer atmosphere. He explained, "These days, there is a lot of sensational content, but I want to try a healing program where someone travels with a single song. I want to show a new visual that was rarely seen in existing music variety shows."

Advice for junior colleagues who dream of becoming PDs was also shared. Both PDs agreed that the starting point of good content is ultimately interest in people and the world.

PD Lee said, "It is important to try various experiences. You must experience many people and diverse environments by traveling and working part-time. Things that come out from within seem to require direct experience, curiosity, and feeling. You must internalize what you see and feel. Good content emerges only when you have diverse curiosity. If you are curious, viewers will be curious too."

PD Park advised, "If you dream of music variety, I hope you don't watch only music variety. It is important to maintain a sense of the public by encountering various content and experiences."

He added, "Just as the best service in the service industry is offering something before the customer requests it, a variety PD must be able to present what viewers will like before they even ask for it."

-End.

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*This content was translated by AI.