"Why is Byun Woo-seok so 'careless'?"... 'Yoo-camp' production team was even more surprised, untold stories of the 'Byun Woo-seok Camp' [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

The production team of 'Yoo-jae-seok Camp' conveyed the magical charm of actor Byun Woo-seok, who inevitably became the 'Byun Woo-seok Camp.'

Global OTT Netflix's 'Yoo-jae-seok Camp' (hereinafter 'Yoo-camp') is a group camp variety show where 'novice camp leader' Yoo Jae-seok and unpredictable 'staff' Lee Kwang-soo, Byun Woo-seok, and Ji Ye-eun chat, play, and boast with guests to complete an escape from daily life. This is a new program launched by PD Jung Hyo-min's team, which previously created the JTBC 'Hyori's Homestay' series and last year's Netflix hit 'Daehwanjang Gihanjang.' It was released on the 26th of last month and the 2nd of this month, totaling 10 episodes, and reached viewers worldwide.

'Yoo-camp' topped Netflix's 'Today's Top 10 Series' in South Korea just two days after its release and has maintained its position in the top ranks since then. It secured the number one spot in three countries, including South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and simultaneously entered the top 10 in eight major Asian countries, sparking a global box office phenomenon.

In particular, Byun Woo-seok topped the May 4th week TV-OTT integrated non-drama actor buzz ranking released by Good Data Corporation's Fundex, driving the hot popularity of 'Yoo-camp.'

Even 'National MC' Yoo Jae-seok praised him as the 'Byun Woo-seok Camp,' and within 'Yoo-camp,' Byun Woo-seok firmly won the hearts of the guests. He swept through 'Yoo-camp' with a surprising charm different from his roles in dramas such as 'Jumping Over the Moon' (hereinafter 'Jumping Over the Moon') and '21st Century Grand Duchess.'

Lee So-min PD, the co-director of 'Yoo-camp,' and writer Yoon Shin-hye recently revealed untold stories about this legendary lineup and Byun Woo-seok's casting in an interview with StarNews. First, PD Lee stated, "We approached Byun Woo-seok after 'Jumping Over the Moon' ended. We thought he had a youthful beauty, but when we actually met him, his honesty was our first impression."

Writer Yoon placed great significance on 'Byun Woo-seok's very existence' and brought smiles. She expressed her affection by saying, "Doesn't Byun Woo-seok's very existence represent the refreshing beauty of youth? We cast him expecting such a side in 'Yoo-camp.'"

However, the production team was also surprised by Byun Woo-seok's unexpected variety talent. Writer Yoon exclaimed, "He even had a surprising clumsy charm. In the second season, it became even more of a 'Byun Woo-seok Camp.' It seems his charm came out even better than expected."

PD Lee also praised him, saying, "Unlike the first impression, while filming 'Yoo-camp,' I thought, 'Why is he so careless?' I saw this as another charm of Byun Woo-seok. He is very kind. Even when it was tough, he didn't show it much and tried to find the enjoyable parts within it, which was impressive."

Moreover, Byun Woo-seok displayed top-tier chemistry with Lee Kwang-soo as 'door-frame brothers.' Regarding this, PD Lee expressed satisfaction, saying, "I often thought Byun Woo-seok would get along well with Ji Ye-eun and Lee Kwang-soo. Especially with Lee Kwang-soo, since they are similar in height, just standing together would give a 'door-frame brothers' vibe. We expected a gentle chemistry among the four, and it actually came out very well."

Additionally, Writer Yoon mentioned Byun Woo-seok's diligence, saying, "Everyone worked hard, but Byun Woo-seok also did his best during the two-night, three-day shoot. We were grateful for his hard work."

So, what was Byun Woo-seok's reaction when 'Yoo-camp' was first proposed? Writer Yoon shared, "Our program's title is 'Yoo-jae-seok Camp,' isn't it? When we presented the proposal, I think he chose it based on trust and affinity for 'Yoo Jae-seok.' However, since it was his first fixed variety show, he seemed to have some concerns. He might have thought that having a camera on him for the entire duration of two two-night, three-day shoots would be unfamiliar. Nevertheless, I think Yoo Jae-seok's influence was a big factor in Byun Woo-seok's courage."

PD Lee pointed out Byun Woo-seok's misconception that he expected a 'healing camp,' causing laughter. He said, "No one told Byun Woo-seok that 'Yoo-camp' was a 'healing camp.' He came thinking so on his own. It seems he had a certain image in mind," and smiled.

Soon after, PD Lee added, "Byun Woo-seok immersed himself more than expected. The expressions he showed in 'Yoo-camp' were so genuine that it looked like he was truly participating in a training camp. He showed such honesty. We didn't expect any carelessness at all, but he showed a clumsy charm, which created the four's clumsy chemistry. He really handled it better than expected."

They also shared Byun Woo-seok's reaction after the release. PD Lee said, "Byun Woo-seok contacted the 'Yoo-camp' production team to say 'thank you.' He said through 'Yoo-camp' that he truly healed and that it was his own 'healing camp.' He sent a message saying he didn't know how time passed and thanked them. He never once complained about the production team; he only said he had fun."

Writer Yoon recalled Byun Woo-seok's surprising side of being scared of games. She said, "Byun Woo-seok worried, 'Do you play a lot of games? I'm not confident in games.' So, he secretly practiced games from existing variety shows. Because he was so nervous, he made many mistakes on site. Afterward, Byun Woo-seok came to the production team and said, 'I messed up the multiplication table because I was too nervous.' I want to say that anyone can make mistakes in that situation," and shared the cute anecdote.

PD Lee also shared his wish, saying, "While filming 'Yoo-camp,' I realized once again that accommodation variety shows definitely change the program's color according to the host's philosophy. 'Yoo-camp' was a camp possible because of 'Yoo Jae-seok.' So, I thought I'd like to try making a 'Byun Woo-seok Camp.' Not just 'Byun Woo-seok Camp,' but we production team members thought about things like 'Lee Kwang-soo Camp' and 'Ji Ye-eun's Holy Bible Camp,' etc."

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*This content was translated by AI.