Netflix 'Busted' producer presents one-of-a-kind, utopian reality show 'New World'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Mon, October 2, 2023 | 09:44

Shows & Dramas

Netflix 'Busted' producer presents one-of-a-kind, utopian reality show 'New World'

Posted : 2021-11-17 17:07

Updated : 2021-11-18 08:42

The cast members of Netflix's new reality show, "New World," Eun Ji-won, from left, Jo Bo-ah, Lee Seung-gi, co-producers Go Min-seok and Cho Hyo-jin, Kai, Park Na-rae, and Kim Hee-chul pose for pictures during an online press conference for the show, Wednesday

By Lee Gyu-lee

Producer Cho Hyo-jin, who created Netflix's first Korean variety show, "Busted!," has teamed up with the show's co-producer, Go Min-seok, for another Netflix reality show, "New World," set to premiere on Saturday.

Set on the island of Oedo, in South Gyeongsang Province, the upcoming show takes six celebrities ― comedian Park Na-rae, actress Jo Bo-ah, and singers Eun Ji-won, Lee Seung-gi, Kai, and Kim Hee-chul ― into a utopian world.

While the cast members spend six days on the island, they have to go through rounds of missions to earn a virtual currency that they can exchange for cash on the final day, which leads them to devise strategies to beat and backstab each other.

"We started off with the idea to create a show that really focuses on being fun. Since the COVID-19 spread, people have been feeling strained, not being able to go anywhere. So we tried to create a new world in another reality to offer a vicarious experience (to the viewers)," producer Cho said during an online press conference for the show, Wednesday.

"Their chemistry and the beautiful scenery of the island, along with the story that the cast members create as they go back and forth between the make-believe and reality, will be interesting to watch."

The co-producer, Go, noted that the production team put extra effort in creating a utopian world for the cast members to get into the fictional part of the show.

"As the title says, we wanted to have a mysterious, new vibe. That's why we set the show on an island, which can take us out of reality," he said. "We interviewed each member for their fantasy and applied those ideas into making the utopia. And we added elements like shops, restaurants, cafes and banks so that they would feel like they are actually living in a town."

A scene from the show / Courtesy of Netflix

Lee, who has extensive experience with variety shows, explained that this program is a never-before-seen style of reality show.

"We spend six days in this place where each of our fantasies has come true. And things that would never happen in real life happen around there," he said. "This world has its own cryptocurrency and in it, we play different games, which I think makes it a one-of-a-kind reality show."

Kai said that taking part in this show was such a refreshing and interesting experience that brought out new sides in him.

"I've felt something that I've never felt before. I knew that I would have fun, and felt like I could show people a different side of myself through the show… there were moments when I would think to myself, 'I didn't know if I have this in me.' It was a very refreshing and fun experience," he said. "I learned a lot about life and about betrayal… like how trust is always followed by a huge risk. Particularly from Seung-gi, I learned a lot about how reality show works."

Park expressed that filming this show provided her with the getaway she needed.

"When I first met with the producers, they asked me what I would want to do if I could bring my fantasy into real life in a dream world. And when they told me that they would make that possible no matter how much it costs, my heart started beating hard," she said. "Especially in these times, when we can't travel abroad or even gather together, it was so much fun to be on an island together. Since we stayed with each other the whole time throughout six days, it was such a healing time."

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr