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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-06-27 15:15:12
SEOUL, June 27(Yonhap) -- "Creating and presenting a single intellectual property (IP) is a challenging endeavor. Once you create an IP, the desire to continue and expand it, much like boiling a beef bone broth, is the natural inclination of any producer," says Director Jeong Jong-yeon with a chuckle.
Known as a pioneer in the 'brain survival genre,' Jeong Jong-yeon has been introducing new works without rest since 2013, including 'The Genius,' 'Society Game,' 'Great Escape,' and 'Girls' High School Mystery Class.' He has garnered a loyal fanbase for his intricate design of unique worlds and diverse missions that require keen investigative skills.
In an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul on the 27th, Jeong PD shared, "Previous IPs became unusable after I left the company, but my dream and plan are to develop a program that can run long and continuously." His latest work, Netflix's 'Agents of Mystery,' is an entertainment show where a special investigative team tackles peculiar incidents at various mysterious locations. Viewers have commented that it seems to borrow the format of 'Great Escape' while incorporating the content of 'Girls' High School Mystery Class.'
"If you were expecting something entirely new, it might feel similar to previous works, but we've tried a lot of new things," Jeong PD explained. "We've developed it into a more natural format that makes it easier for younger audiences to engage." He added, "Some viewers found it too short at six episodes, and I also felt it ended just as I was getting into the groove. Nonetheless, I'd prefer to meet the audience briefly but frequently," he said with a smile.
The cast of 'Agents of Mystery' includes Karina, comedian Lee Yong-jin, Lee Eun-ji, singer John Park, Hyeri, and actor Kim Do-hoon. The team has only six hours to find three missing persons with the same birthdate in a suspicious abandoned factory and locate the crew in a non-responsive submarine, the Midas. Jeong PD emphasized the effort put into enhancing immersion.
"In the submarine scene, we added salt to the water on the floor so that it would feel like seawater if it touched their lips or if they smelled it. We also added weight to the hatches they had to open to make it feel more realistic. Even if the viewers can't see these details, they help immerse the participants," he explained.
The 'Agents of Mystery' involves finding hidden clues and deciphering codes, with Jeong PD noting, "This time, we focused more on adventure rather than pure deduction. In future programs, I plan to avoid direct puzzle-solving." He continued, "I believe the reason for variety shows' existence is to see the genuine reactions of the cast based on their immersion. It's crucial to lay a fictional story as a foundation and draw out the genuine responses of the participants."
Jeong PD hopes viewers see the program not just as a game but as an immersive world. "I want the missions to come across naturally. I hope viewers perceive the program as a worldview and feel as if they are experiencing it themselves," he said.
When asked if he has any desire to venture into new genres of entertainment, Jeong PD replied, "I have the ambition to pioneer genres that don't yet exist. Even if it's challenging and others are reluctant to do it, I want to take it on. That way, I can enjoy a blue ocean alone, even if it's just for 2-3 years," he laughed.
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