'Heart Signal 5' PD: "Park Woo-yeol♥Kang Yu-kyung's 'I Like You' Confession, Too Exciting Beyond the Rules" [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Heart Signal 5' leaves only the long-awaited "final choice," as co-planner and director PDs Park Cheol-hwan and Kim Hong-gu shared their thoughts.

'Heart Signal 5,' directed by Park Cheol-hwan and Kim Hong-gu, will air its final episode on Channel A this coming Monday at 9 p.m., showing the residents who have lived in the "Signal House" for a month making the long-awaited "final choice."

Regarding this, PDs Park Cheol-hwan and Kim Hong-gu stated, "The final choices filled with the residents' true feelings will finally be revealed. We would be grateful if you could stay with us until the end," while sharing their reflections on the journey so far.

◆ Q&A with PDs Park Cheol-hwan and Kim Hong-gu.

Q. With the final choice approaching and the mystery-solving atmosphere heating up, was there any point in viewers' reactions that surprised you?

A. On the first day, when Woo-yeol walked confidently toward Yu-kyung in the kitchen and she took three steps back, I saw a 3-second cut of her reaction, and I remember seeing a comment saying, "I've decided on these two." It was surprising and fascinating. In fact, we also felt inexplicably good about that moment, and it made us realize anew that this "goodness" was being conveyed directly. There is no existing romantic drama context or mood in Woo-yeol and Yu-kyung's date. Yet, watching them just makes you laugh and your heart rate rise together. I once saw a YouTube comment saying, "Yu-kyung feels it," and it truly seems so.

The moment Jun-hyun bought hotteok for Yu-kyung was also thrilling, and we were glad to receive such a strong response (as of the 16th, the clip had about 5.08 million views). The hotteok purchase without asking or questioning made us feel that "this is love." We also felt deeply moved by the reaction that Do-kyung and Sung-min's Tokushima bicycle date was beautiful and touching, which reflected our production team's own feelings. We were also grateful that viewers immediately recognized the chemistry between Seo-won and So-yoon. "Seo So-yoon" started late, making it even more poignant, and we are encouraged by how much you cherish them. We have carefully preserved those moments because there is joy in discovering them, and we will share them. Additionally, the final choices filled with their true feelings will be revealed in the last episode, so we hope many viewers will watch warmly with a supportive heart.

Q. Are there plans to release unreleased footage such as self-talks from this season later?

A. Yes, of course. Around the final episode, we plan to show each participant's meaningful unreleased moments.

Q. There were many memorable lines from the participants, such as "Romance comes with waste," "It's decided in 3 seconds," "Let's walk even if it's a thorny path," and "Can we keep riding the roller coaster?" If there was one quote that resonated most deeply, which would it be?

A. All the quotes mentioned above remain in our hearts, and every scene brought us either excitement or emotion. I thought So-yoon's "Nasajosi" (a play on words meaning "good time with a bad person") was genius. Another line that resonated deeply was from unreleased footage where Woo-yeol said, "I'm like my original self." As we go through social life, we often develop multiple versions of ourselves. I felt moved thinking that perhaps when Woo-yeol met Yu-kyung, he regained the sense of being his "original self."

Q. This season of 'Heart Signal 5' had many dramatic moments. In particular, there were many surprised reactions regarding Episode 8, where Woo-yeol and Yu-kyung's theater date location overlapped with Seo-won and Gyu-ri's. When the production team learned they were at the same theater, what was your reaction?

A. First of all, this was not a situation we created. Of course, we thought the timing was incredibly coincidental. Woo-yeol first informed us that he had booked tickets at a theater in Gangnam, and Seo-won shared his booking details around 3 a.m., so we were very surprised they were at the same theater. We could not recommend another theater. Doing so would be interference and planting thoughts in one of the residents. "What if these four think we deliberately set this up?" was my first worry throughout the night, and "How do we secure that theater for tomorrow?" was my second worry. In fact, it was impossible, but we were truly fortunate and grateful that the theater staff helped us.

Q. In Episode 8, there was a scene where Woo-yeol and Yu-kyung sent text messages side by side in the love room, which many viewers said was unprecedented for the season, calling it "typical of Z-generation love" and "amazing." Did the production team feel the same emotion on site?

A. We felt novelty in many moments. While we were grateful that these participants are naturally honest, it also made us nervous. As they raced forward with their own honesty, nothing could be predicted. The statement "What's so important about text messages?" is actually somewhat correct. The excitement conveyed from those words was good in itself. The confession of "I like you" is a sincere outburst that transcends the rules, making it inevitably too exciting.

The adult and boy within Woo-yeol, Yu-kyung's purity and courage, Do-min's warmth and insight, Sung-min's gentleness and diligence, So-yoon's fun-loving nature and girlish softness, Jun-hyun's gentleness and purity, and Seo-won's depth and strength. All these charms were exactly as they are, making the production process happy and a great learning experience for us.

Q. The Valentine's Day "Truth Game" episode was also tense. There must have been many parts you struggled with while editing; which aspects did you focus on?

A. It was the hardest night for the residents and marked the beginning of various changes and conflicts. We held our breath, watching with hearts in our throats, and everyone stayed awake that night. We felt we had to convey the tension and chaos of that scene vividly. Only then would the sincerity and strength of the residents who overcome this process and find their true feelings be transmitted.

Q. Season 5 received many positive responses for actively incorporating feedback from previous seasons, such as rapid fish-in-a-barrel insertions, self-talks (interviews), fast-paced editing, and releasing behind-the-scenes photos. Was there any memorable viewer feedback this season?

A. We were worried when we saw reactions finding the interview appearances in the first episode awkward, but it was a relief that viewers later looked forward to both self-talks and interviews. As episodes progressed, I think we found the golden ratio for revealing the residents' inner thoughts. We should continue doing so. Although it is a mystery game, there are moments when the participants' true feelings are essential. Conversely, there are also moments where expressions and actions matter more than words. Moving forward, we plan to further refine 'Heart Signal's' unique balance of inner thoughts. We will also consider and incorporate the feedback given this season as we return.

Q. It was said that Kim Hyun-woo designed the interior of this season's "Signal House," making it very Suga-worthy. Are there any other hidden contributors who helped 'Heart Signal 5'?

A. This collaboration came about during a meal with Hyun-woo after a long time, and we were extremely satisfied and had fun. We felt the same way during his restaurant "Messiah," but he is precise in his work, and thanks to his outstanding aesthetic sense, we could create a house with a new feel. I would also like to thank Studio "Eum" Lee Seon-hong (CEO), who beautifully constructed the self-talk space, and Lee Mi-ja (Chairman), who lent us the Itaewon mansion. In addition, there are many staff members who worked hard to make this season possible, as well as experts from various fields and brands. If opportunities arise, I would like to express my gratitude.

Q. Participants such as "Fox Man" Park Woo-yeol, "Underdog Woman" Kang Yu-kyung, and "Rosé Lookalike" Kim Do-min received much love. What charms impressed you during casting that led to their selection? Also, are there any memorable episodes from the casting stage?

A. Do-min was a participant candidate we first met in Season 4 and remembered ever since. Her sophisticated feel combined with honesty and liveliness kept our team remembering her for years. When she finally joined us this time, we felt, "As expected, it's fate." I remember everyone getting excited when they saw Woo-yeol after the interview, checking his life record; he looked surprisingly handsome. He was steady and mature, yet there was a potential that hadn't fully shown itself, which he revealed upon moving in. Yu-kyung was first seen through a photo from her first interview, and even that single photo conveyed her unique atmosphere. Moreover, when we met her in person, the addition of "Jang-kku-mi" made us think her charm is unpredictable.

Jun-hyun struck me as having a rare Tetu face and charm at first sight. Yet he was also subtly funny and delicate, making me look forward to how their romance would unfold. Sung-min had the kind of gentle, somewhat innocent, and sweet charm that Do-min described. Seo-won's handsome looks and purity completely changed the atmosphere around him; I remember his interview scene being full of laughter from the start. And So-yoon, who resembled actress Shim Eun-ha, walked in and showed off her fearless wit, which was both fascinating and charming. The politeness and maturity viewers appreciated also moved us. They were sincere and humanistic people, so we grew very fond of them over six months.

Q. As this season concludes, what are the points you are grateful for, any regrets, and your thoughts on the direction 'Heart Signal' should take in the future?

A. While there were some shortcomings in initial buzz and viewership ratings, I am ultimately glad that the buzz grew significantly, and above all, that participants were loved so much. We are truly grateful. 'Heart Signal' is a program created together with viewers' immersion and support, so I want to emphasize that every piece of feedback is appreciated. One of our future concerns is the early progression. Deep emotions and genuine chemistry built over a month are one of the core elements of 'Heart Signal,' but the first four episodes may feel somewhat slow, which is my current worry. We will find a good answer to this.

Finally, what I am most grateful for is that the freshness and heartbeat of love in our twenties, which we wanted to convey this season, seems to have been transmitted somehow. Everyone who watches 'Heart Signal' likely holds or anticipates their own feelings of love around their mid-twenties, and we wanted to let them feel that. We also want 'Heart Signal' to start anew from that feeling. We will prepare for a better season and return without delay. Please look forward to the final episode featuring the residents' final choices with great anticipation and support. Thank you.

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*This content was translated by AI.