'Bonjour Bakery' Production Team: "Kim Sun-ho = Real-life Hong Ban-jang... SEVENTEEN Dino = True 'Servant' Who Works Hard" [Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Bonjour Bakery' production team revealed behind-the-scenes details of the program.

'On the morning of the 27th, an interview with Coupang Play variety show 'Bonjour Bakery' PD Park Geun-hyeong and writer Kim Ran-ju was held at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

'Bonjour Bakery' is a healing baking variety show set in Korea's first 'senior dessert café' opened in a quiet rural village, where elderly people who know the taste of life and the bakery family who know the taste of happiness share sweet comfort and warmth. PD Park Geun-hyeong, known for 'You Quiz on the Block' and 'Spanish Houseguest', and writer Kim Ran-ju, known for '2 Days & 1 Night', 'Infinite Challenge', and 'Spanish Houseguest', joined forces.

'Bonjour Bakery' kitchen chef team is led by Cha Seung-won and Lee Ki-taek, while the hall serving team is handled by Kim Hee-ae and Kim Sun-ho. The 8-episode 'Bonjour Bakery' premiered on the 8th and can be watched every Friday at 4 p.m. on Coupang Play.

'-Actor Kim Sun-ho could not appear in the early episodes due to scheduling conflicts, and SEVENTEEN's Dino, Ong Sung-woo, and others made brief substitute appearances. Even so, what was the reason for casting actor Kim Sun-ho?

▶Writer Kim: Originally, all schedules aligned, but our schedules changed, leading to that outcome. When we filmed 'Three Meals a Day' and other programs, we often cast actors as the main focus, but we were recommended someone from a completely different genre, and many mentioned Dino. He has many older brothers, so he was called a 'servant,' and he worked very well.

'-What were the casting criteria for the participants?

▶Writer Kim: We wanted the bakery to look like an existing one, so we defined roles before finding people. I remember a 95-year-old regular customer asking Kim Hee-ae, "Who are the talents here?" Later, grandmothers and grandfathers visited our bakery twice a day.

▶PD Park: Most of our customers were 65 and older, and seniors like Cha Seung-won and Kim Hee-ae treated them very well.

'-Actor Lee Ki-taek also became a fixed member on KBS 2TV's '2 Days & 1 Night'. How did you first recognize Lee Ki-taek's variety sense?

▶Writer Kim: At first, we just wanted him to assist senior Cha Seung-won well, but he spoke his lines well despite being nervous. He was very immersed, and his slightly lacking moments were amusing. You keep watching him. He's always there at the right timing. His diligence is his charm.

▶PD Park: We had no prior information about Lee Ki-taek during our first meeting. While typical meetings last about 30 minutes, Lee Ki-taek's meeting went on longer. He shared his mindset, asked many questions, and showed great interest in the participants, giving us a fun impression. He also asked many questions while filming.

'-In this variety show, actor Cha Seung-won shed tears, which is rare to see.

▶Writer Kim: Senior Cha Seung-won held back his tears a lot, and I thought, "He has this side too." There is a story about a grandmother who sings. It was difficult for the actors' schedules to align, but we are grateful that the actors participated after seeing only our proposal.

▶PD Park: Later, everyone became regulars and shared big stories.

'-Actor Kim Hee-ae showed elegance and composure even in chaotic situations.

▶Writer Kim: Then, there was a moment when she lost her composure significantly. I felt she was controlling herself while filming. She showed a mental breakdown (mental collapse) beyond what was seen in 'The World of the Married'.

'-Actor Kim Sun-ho seemed to have a particularly good rapport with the elderly.

▶Writer Kim: Kim Sun-ho quickly became close with the elderly, and later even told passing seniors, "Come anytime!" Senior Kim Hee-ae also naturally said such things.

▶PD Park: I liked 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha', and he was the real-life Hong Ban-jang.

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*This content was translated by AI.