[Exclusive]'Choi Su-san' 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.

'Choi Su-san' 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 are competing programs in the same time slot, at least once.

PD Kim Myeong-yeop recently spoke directly to StarNews about the MBC variety program 'Choi Su-san.'

'Choi Su-san' 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. For the '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards,' Yoo Se-yoon, who was nominated for the male Choi U-su-sang (수상) award, joins members Jang Dong-min, Boom, and Yang Se-hyung, along with 'shark' Heo Kyeong-hwan as a new member.

'Choi Su-san' was originally scheduled for five episodes. It began its first broadcast on May 3 and completed its pilot run through May 31. With a sensitive production team and cast, 'Choi Su-san' secured a 'golden LINE-up' and competed against the fixed Sunday 6 p.m. prime-time variety programs, KBS 2TV's '2 Days & 1 Night' and SBS's 'Running Man.'

'Choi Su-san' showed disappointing ratings in the 1-2% range due to insufficient word-of-mouth within its short episode count, 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.

'Choi Su-san' 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, creating a unique scene where the members enjoyed a dream meal. Most notably, in the variety world, the lineup of Yoo Se-yoon, Jang Dong-min, Boom, Yang Se-hyung, and Heo Kyeong-hwan formed a 'caviar combination' that had never existed before, delivering chemistry that exceeded expectations.

'Choi Su-san' is a rare variety show with a format that breaks away from conventional methods, garnering even more anticipation for its extended episodes.

-There are many opinions that a generational shift must occur in the variety industry, and MBC's 'Anhadun Jiseul Hago Geurae' featuring members Lee Yong-jin, Jo Se-ho, Choi Si-won, Ju Woo-jae, and Yoo Byung-jae was released in 2023. In that sense, 'Choi Su-san,' which brings together 1.5-generation talents, is also 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 have the desire to work with Korea's top MCs. Rather than a 'generational shift,' I believe everyone has their own strengths. Since 'Racket Boys,' 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 'Choi Su-san' ending, you guide viewers to watch unaired content via QR codes on YouTube. It seems like a good idea to secure both TV ratings and YouTube views.

▶I also created separate YouTube content for 'Racket Boys,' and this time I embedded QR codes in 'Choi Su-san.' I want to try various things that are possible.

-Where do you personally get inspiration for variety items, PD-nim? Your editing sense also feels trendy and stylish.

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

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

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

-Since 'Choi Su-san' gathered the '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' Choi U-su-sang (수상) winner and nominees, all members are variety athletes. Is there any award you expect 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 12 episodes until August 9, and I want the remaining seven episodes to go well so we can extend again. As long as our program stays alive until the Entertainment Awards, that itself could be considered an award.

-Is there anything you want to say to the viewers?

▶I think we showed the mountain theme without regrets for five episodes, but for the upcoming seven episodes, I want to prepare well not 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 Choi Su-san as a family.' I want to create a program that families can watch with smiles on Sunday evenings comfortably. I want to be 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 distinct difference. Please watch our friendly competition well.

-End

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*This content was translated by AI.