| A teaser image of SBS' “Besties in Wonderland ― If I Go Only Once” / Courtesy of SBS |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
As the world opens back up, broadcasters are on board to shoot travel reality shows overseas. Countries worldwide, including Korea, have been lifting border control regulations related to the pandemic recently.
This month, two shows that feature the cast traveling abroad were unveiled.
KBS' travel show “Battle Trip,” which ended its four-year run in April 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19, has returned with season 2. The first two episodes of “Battle Trip 2,” which aired on Oct. 15 and 22, showed Aiki and Gabee's trip to Vietnam and Yerin and Kim Hee-jung's trip to Thailand, respectively.
“The cast have travel tips that are as good as travel experts. Our show will provide a perfect guide to how to travel in an endemic world with insider tips and destination information,” the show's production team said.
SBS will launch “Besties in Wonderland ― If I Go Only Once,” starring EXO's Suho, actors Lee Kyu-hyung, Lee Sang-yi, Lim Ji-yeon, Lee You-young and Cha Seo-won on Oct. 27. Except for Lee Kyu-hyung, the remaining cast are alumni of Korea National University of Arts.
The show, directed by “Law of Jungle” producer Lee Ji-won, will follow the group of actors visiting Queensland, Australia enjoy vacationing. “The cast will experience a wide variety of activities from sea to sky, meet with native animals of the rainforest and explore wildlife in Australia,” Lee said.
| Scenes from KBS' travel reality show “Battle Trip 2” / Courtesy of KBS |
Webtoon artist and TV personality Kian84 will join a new travel reality show, “Happened to Be Born, SO Let's Travel around the World,” directed by Kim Ji-woo, the producer behind MBC's reality show, “I Live Alone.”
The show, which is set to premiere sometime this year, will begin with Kian 84's travel to a Southeast Asian country, according to the production team. “Kian84's world tour will begin with a trip to South America, a must-visit destination before you die. Viewers can enjoy mystical sites, cultural legacy and history of South America as well as its stunning scenery,” producer Kim said.
Actors Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Yeo Jin-goo and Shinee's Minho are reportedly teaming up for a new travel reality show exploring New Zealand. Meanwhile, star producer Kim Tae-ho's “Blue Marble World Travel” is on track to shoot a travel show with popular YouTubers, including KwakTube, Wonji and Pani Bottle.
TV Chosun's “Taste of Tour,” which kicked off last month, follows six comedians in their 50s set off to travel the globe together. The cast includes Kim Yong-man, Jee Seok-jin, Kim Soo-yong and Park Mi-sun. TvN's “Now, Follow Me,” about father and son/daughter pairs traveling to Hawaii, also grabbed viewers' attention.