[Exclusive]'Best Mountain' PD's Declaration of War: "I'll Beat the Ratings of '2 Days & 1 Night' and 'Running Man' at Least Once" [Interview ③]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Best Mountain' PD Kim Myeong-yeop expressed his ambition to beat the ratings of KBS 2TV's '2 Days & 1 Night' and SBS's 'Running Man,' which compete in the same time slot, at least once.

PD Kim Myeong-yeop recently spoke directly to StarNews about the MBC variety program 'Best Mountain.'

'Best Mountain' is Korea's first rugged mountain variety show featuring intense competition toward the summit through various missions set in the mountains. The production team behind 'Radio Star' and 'Around the World with Kim' has come together. The cast includes '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' Best Male Variety Performer winner Yoo Se-yoon, along with fellow nominees Jang Dong-min, Boom, and Yang Se-hyung, plus 'catfish' Heo Kyeong-hwan as a new member.

'Best Mountain' was originally scheduled for five episodes. It began broadcasting on May 3 and completed its pilot run through May 31. With a sensitive production team and cast, 'Best Mountain' secured a 'golden lineup' and competed against KBS 2TV's '2 Days & 1 Night' and SBS's 'Running Man' in the Sunday 6 p.m. prime-time slot.

'Best Mountain' initially showed disappointing ratings in the 1st–2% range due to insufficient word-of-mouth within its short run, but it gathered a dedicated fanbase on YouTube and other platforms, leading to a confirmed extension of seven episodes. The show will continue from episode 6 on the 28th through episode 12 on August 9.

'Best Mountain' featured members climbing mountains of varying difficulty levels, from familiar Achasan and Yongmabong to Mangwusan, Daedunsan, the rugged Geumgangsan, and the Jirisan Baemudong course. At the mid-mountain points, chefs Kouji, Imokase, and patissier Hwang Ji-oh made surprise appearances, presenting the members with a fantasy meal—a unique scene. Most notably, in the variety world, the lineup of Yoo Se-yoon, Jang Dong-min, Boom, Yang Se-hyung, and Heo Kyeong-hwan, all professional entertainers, formed a 'caviar combination' that had never existed before, delivering chemistry beyond expectations.

'Best Mountain' is a rare variety show with a format that breaks away from conventional patterns, drawing even greater expectations for its extended episodes.

-There are many opinions that the variety industry also needs a generational shift, and MBC's 'Anhadun Jigeul Hago Geurae' featuring members Lee Yong-jin, Jo Se-ho, Choi Si-won, Ju Woo-jae, and Yoo Byung-jae was launched in 2023. In that sense, 'Best Mountain,' which brings together 1.5-generation talents, is a program of great significance.

▶I have respected and wanted to work with Yoo Jae-suk since the 'Infinite Challenge' days, and now I want to meet him after trying various adventure programs. I always want to work with Korea's top MCs. Rather than 'generational shift,' I believe everyone has their own strengths. Since 'Radio Star,' the direction I have pursued has been 'finding people who are not famous but have potential.' Just as (Im) Woo-il and (Heo) Kyeong-hwan have shone, I want to continue approaching in that way.

-Are there any variety stars you are currently watching closely?

▶I have liked Lee Se-nu's Won-i for a long time and want to invite her. Kim Ki-yeol, who is a senior of Kyeong-hwan, is also fun, so I want to invite him. Jung Hee-soo, who recently appeared on 'SNL Korea,' also seems destined to become a variety star.

-In the 'Best Mountain' ending, you guide viewers to watch unreleased content on YouTube via a QR code. It seems like a good idea to secure both TV ratings and YouTube views.

▶I even created separate YouTube content during 'Radio Star,' and this time I have embedded QR codes in 'Best Mountain.' I want to try various things that are possible.

-Where do you personally get inspiration for variety items? Your editing sense feels trendy and your taste is excellent.

▶Actually, I try not to watch variety shows when I rest and watch many dramas. The movie 'The Back Room' was well-made among the ones I recently watched.

-What criteria or motto do you have when producing content?

▶I want to do things 'just right,' regardless of ratings or results. Recently, the phrase 'Even doing just right, my life is fine' resonated with me. It's not about being complacent; I believe we should not just follow others but do what we can do.

-Since 'Best Mountain' gathered the '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' Best Male Variety Performer winner and nominees, all members are variety professionals. Are there any awards you hope to receive at the '2026 MBC Entertainment Awards'?

▶It seems that variety shows that perform well in the second half of the year receive good awards. We will broadcast until episode 12 on August 9, and I hope the remaining seven episodes go well so we can extend again. As long as our program remains alive until the Entertainment Awards, that itself could be considered an award.

-Is there anything you want to say to viewers?

▶We have shown the mountain theme without regret over five episodes, but for the upcoming seven episodes, we plan to prepare well not just limited to mountains but focusing on what the seniors do best. One comment I liked was, 'It's not easy to watch TV together these days, but we watched Best Mountain as a family.' I want to create a program that families can watch happily on Sunday evenings. I want to become a 'rice companion' or 'rice side dish' like Jang-jorim. I also want to beat '2 Days & 1 Night' and 'Running Man' in the same time slot at least once and show them a clear distinction. Please watch our friendly competition well.

-End

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*This content was translated by AI.