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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-06-21 09:27:51
SEOUL, June 21 (Yonhap) -- "Ideas are like fish. Anyone can catch them, but how you cook and serve them depends on the chef's skill," said star producer Kim Tae-ho, known for directing hits such as "Infinite Challenge," "Hangout with Yoo?" and "Earth Marble World Travel."
Kim returns with a new JTBC variety show, "My Name Is Gabriel," which he introduced during a press conference held on the 20th at a hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Kim Tae-ho explained, "Even with the same ingredients, a dish can taste different depending on how it’s cooked. This time, I’ve created various flavors." Premiering on the 21st, "My Name Is Gabriel" is an observational reality show where participants travel to a place where no one knows them and live under a stranger’s name for 72 hours.
Kim shared insights on the show’s production, saying, "During our first meeting, we spread out a world map and considered all possibilities when choosing filming locations. Since participants live someone else's life, we aimed to replicate their experiences as closely as possible." He added, "Real people's lives often contain more dramatic elements than fiction. We captured scenes that exceeded our expectations."
Despite meticulous planning, Kim noted that the production often required on-the-spot adjustments. "Sometimes, shows need constant planning changes during filming. However, this time was different. It felt like the show led us. We followed the stories as they naturally unfolded, which was a refreshing experience," he remarked.
"My Name Is Gabriel" features comedian Park Myung-soo, actors Yum Hye-ran, Ji Chang-wook, Park Bo-gum, model Hong Jin-kyung, dancer Gabee, and broadcaster DEX. Park Bo-gum takes on the life of 'Ruri,' a choir director in Dublin, Ireland, preparing for a street performance. Yum Hye-ran, in Chongqing, China, becomes the general manager of a hot pot restaurant, tasked with completing 400 servings in two hours.
Kim revealed that almost all the initially considered cast members joined the project, highlighting the synergy between their abilities and the new lives they were to embody. The program marks Kim Tae-ho’s first collaboration with Park Myung-soo in six years since "Infinite Challenge" ended.
Kim explained his decision to cast Park Myung-soo, saying, "I wanted to continue the legacy of the 'Life of Others' special from 'Infinite Challenge,' so I reached out to Myung-soo. Seeing a genuine side of him was both surprising and delightful, especially when he got emotional saying goodbye to the family he lived with."
Park Myung-soo, who runs a som tam (Thai papaya salad) stall in Thailand on the show, reflected, "I've lived the life of an orthopedic surgeon on 'Infinite Challenge,' but this time, I stepped into the shoes of a family breadwinner, which brought out more of my genuine feelings." He added, "You'll realize that people’s lives are fundamentally the same wherever you go."
DEX, who lived the life of a wine jar maker named 'Lati' in Tbilisi, Georgia, shared, "I received so much love from my surrogate parents there that one body felt insufficient." Meanwhile, Hong Jin-kyung, who experienced the life of an aspiring model in Rwanda, said, "I saw reflections of my own efforts before I became a model."
"With 'My Name Is Gabriel,' we hope viewers can feel the shared human experiences across different cultures and places," Kim Tae-ho concluded.
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]