I’m breaking with tradition and writing a review of a variety show because it’s Na In Woo’s debut on the program. 2D1N stands for “Two Days, One Night” which is the length of time the cast members have to spend exploring different regions of South Korea. They play games against to determine who among them gets to eat lunch and dinner, and to sleep indoors or outdoors. I admit that when I first began watching this show I found the concept of the road trip rather odd because the men mostly do childish games. But now, I credit the show for introducing me to the rural areas, seaside towns, historical sites and national parks of South Korea and giving me a peek into the acceptable/unacceptable cultural behaviors through cast members’ zany interactions.

According to wiki, the first season began on August 5, 2007. We’re now on the fourth season, and one member from the original season has survived various changes in cast members, directors, and controversies. It’s Kim Jong-min.

This guy.

The program needed a new member to replace Kim SeonHo following his abortion disgrace. BTW, can you believe this guy? It was released a few days ago – to coincide with Na In Woo’s debut?? — that he donated to a leukemia foundation for children. Surrrre. How is this gesture even sincere when he had his own child aborted because he didn’t want to lose money on her/him? Don’t his fans sense the cognitive dissonance in a person willing to donate $50k to children’s causes but isn’t willing to raise his own child? Goodness gracious! Money doesn’t buy virtue.

If I must be a fangirl in a world full of Kim SeonHos, I’d rather fangirl Kim Jong-Min.

I’ll list the other members according to age, from oldest to youngest.

Yeon Jung Hoon, born 1978.

Background on this guy: he married Han Ga-In (the amnesiac shaman in “Moon Embracing the Sun”) when she was 23 years old, and he was 27 years old. Back in 2005, that wedding generated a lot of media buzz because she was seen as everybody’s sweetheart, and he “stole” her from the public. He was called the “National Thief.”

On a few occasions, he calls her on the phone during the show. I find it interesting when he gives tidbits about his family life. And when I watch him on the show, I can see why she married him at such a young age. He has a quiet, solid personality.

When Na In Woo was asked about his impression of Jung Hoon, he said that Jung Hoon is “full of passion but it really doesn’t pan out.” I think he meant that Jung Hoon could get surprisingly competitive during games but because of his age, he’d get beaten in the physical games and entertainment news by the younger members. He doesn’t know much about kpop music and dances, so he loses during the quizzes.

But he’s adventurous though.

Kim Jong-Min, born 1979.

He looks like the fool in the group. He often instigates trouble during the games. When I first began watching this show, he irritated me because he wouldn’t stick with the agreed-upon plan of the group. He was always upsetting the proverbial apple cart and getting the others in trouble.

Now, I get that he does this for entertainment.

He isn’t very bright, but he’s the ace of the group (welllll… the standard isn’t high to begin with) when it comes to Korean History. He’s also memorized many capital cities of the world because naming them was often the default game in the show.

He’s the scaredy cat of the group. He’s afraid of heights, ghosts, etc.

Moon Seyoon, born 1982.

He often serves as the emcee of the show. He’s the gourmand of the group so he teaches the others how to eat the delicacies featured in the show. Although he tries his best during the games, he often loses in games that require athleticism. He and JungHoon are the two family-men in the show.

In the beginning, he irritated me. (lol. I’m an irritable bitch, don’t you know?) I thought it was presumptuous of him to act like the leader of the new season when Jong-Min was his senior. But I get it now. It isn’t JongMin’s personality to lead because

a. he’s forgetful and
b. he misses cues from the director.

And these are Seyoon’s strengths. He does a good job of explaining the events to the viewers and mediating between the other members and the director. That’s why he hosts the show.

He was also the one who asked Kim SeonHo in one episode whether he was there as a participant or as a viewer. I interpreted that to mean that he noticed that Kim SeonHo slacked off during the games, preferring to stay in the sidelines than getting down and dirty.

He has great situational awareness.

DinDin, born 1991.

Although he complains a lot, he doesn’t mind that the director, Bang Geulyi, regularly picks on him. I think of all the members, he’s the one most familiar with her. In one of the earlier episodes, he challenged her to an arm-wrestling match, and I was surprised that she didn’t object to his temerity. I guess she views him like a pesky donsaeng. (He won.)

Then in a more recent episode, Ep 99, he blurted that Ms. Bang was a “devout Christian” who “goes to church even after editing all night long…but she drinks a lot.” He made others laugh when he said that “one of the 10 commandments says she shouldn’t lie, so if she lies, it means she’s going against her belief.” When he suspected her of lying to him, he informed the others, “I know her. I’ve had a lot of drinks with her. I drink with her all the time.”

The fact that she didn’t edit this out meant she was fine with him putting her on the spot like that.

He’s a good sport whenever he’s made the butt of jokes. For instance, he’s teased for being the shortest of the group. Because of his height disadvantage, he has to be sneakier during the games. Also, when he laughs, he shows his overbite. The director always edits the shot to give his overbite a sparkling effect. He’s also called the “the kid” whenever he’s picky about his food or nitpicks the rules of the game for unfairness. He often entertains the others with his stories of being bullied by his two older sisters.

He has great situational awareness, too, like Moon SeYoon.

Ravi, born 1993.

He’s a rapper. He and Moon SeYoon collaborated on a song last year. He’s good friends with Dindin, too. When Dindin felt bad that Na In Woo was so tall and looked down on him while talking, Ravi hugged Dindin.

He often dresses in a weird fashion – like a kpop idol that he is — then changes out of them. In one episode, Hyeri showed up as their female guest. She chose Ravi to be her partner because she knew Ravi would take 1001 pictures of her during the episode, without nagging.

He understands the importance of having a “face” – or somebody designated as the “visuals” – in the program. When the gang found out that a new member was coming, he said, “I hope he’s handsome.”

And when he saw the new guy from the distance, he remarked on his appearance.

He’s the most athletic in the group but he’s cool about it. He doesn’t mind losing like Dindin does. He’s fine with skipping a meal or sleeping outdoors. He can be clueless, too, but once he catches on, he acts quickly. He’s been a good maknae who listens to his “hyungs” in the show.

I read somewhere that he would have to enlist sometime this year.

Na In Woo, born 1994.

He’s the new guy.

Like @nrllee, I think he’ll fit in the group well.

Certainly, the director Bang Geulyi thought so. She had a blast commenting on InWoo’s scenes. I’ve never seen so many question marks, exclamation points, and reaction comments from this director before.

To show his energy, she added a neon glow for him, too.

The scene when he found the red ribbons was ridiculous.

Honestly, I had visions of a bloody ending for him falling off a cliff – just like in that kdrama “Jirisan” when the serial killer in the mountain left the red ribbons on the trees to lead the hikers astray.

It’s obvious that this guy has never been on a nature hike before in his whole life.

What had me laughing was that he imagined himself to be a great sleuth like Sherlock Holmes. He was so sure that the red ribbons he discovered on the trail were 2D1N ribbons.

To me, the director’s commentaries read like she was directly refuting him. “No, it’s not. It doesn’t have 2 Days and 1 Night written on it. No. Please.”

She was begging him.

When he saw that the ribbons were numbered, and that the numbers were in descending order, he concluded that zero was his destination point.

The director’s comment: That’s not it!

When he saw Ribbon #44, he was so proud of his puzzle-solving skills. “I knew it. I just have to do this 44 more times.”

The director’s lament: No… no… no… no… no… no… no… no… no…

This “아니야” which is written all over the frame is “aniya” meaning no.

Next, he saw footprints and decided, “There’s a critical clue. Do you see these footprints? The criminals always leave a trace.”

The director’s skeptical comment: Probably a random hiker’s footprints.

Seriously. If he thought for a second there, why was there only one set of footprints when there must be 5 members of the cast and 5 videographers, and a gazillion crew?

He’s no Sherlock Holmes. 🙂

When he reached the top, without spotting a single sign of the other 2D1N cast, the editor described his feelings for us: lonely, disturbed, perplexed, anxious, and worried.

He must be feeling sore, too. He’d been running in those boots for hours. Lol. Why didn’t he change and on his shoes on?

I like the director’s coolness under pressure here. She didn’t fume when she learned what he’d done. (He ruined their plan and schedule.) She spoke calmly with InWoo’s videographer and informed them of their rescue. Note to the director: next time, get an assistant director to tag along too or apprise the videographer of the itinerary.

In contrast, the cast members’ reactions were funny when she told them that they lost the newest member in the mountain.

Dindin: Stop lying. You’re lying. I know you’re going to say, “He’ll go over that mountain… and come to meet you next week.” Don’t do that!
JongMin: He’s that dumb?

I thought this was funny: pot calling kettle black.

Ravi: They’re really good at casting extraordinary people.
SeYoon: (pointing at JongMin) We already have a clumsy member.
JongMin: He’s directionally challenged? That’s too dumb.
SeYoon: I saw the ribbons hanging on the trees.
Ravi: But Jong Min spotted them after 13 ribbons. At the 13th ribbon, he was like, “Ravi, it says, ‘2Days and 1Night’ here!”
JongMin: That means he’s way dumber than I am. At least I spotted them.

The director told them that new member had been walking for three hours in the snow, and they were in disbelief.

Ravi: He went through the hazing ritual by himself?
JungYoon: For real? Are you serious? Don’t you think he’s too weird?
JongMin: I’m sincerely worried.

But as soon as they saw Na In Woo, they must have known why he was cast as the 6th member. It’s a no-brainer.

He’s easy on the eyes. He’ll bring in the young fangirls.
He’s eager to please everyone. He won’t be worried about his preserving “image” like Mr. Dimples.
His folksy charm will appeal to the older viewers. He’s Ondal come to life.
He’s indefatigable. That three-hour hike in the cold? The other members would have complained incessantly had they done it. But he tolerated it because all along he thought he was being pranked in a game of hide-and-seek.

Even the ending was funny.

Director: Kim JongMin, there’s a description for our show. Please teach him.
JM: Real, wild, variety.

The others laughed because, as to be expected, he forgot a word, “road” for road-trip. It’s subbed as “travelling” on Viki.

JM: Real, wild, road, variety.

InWoo assumed that each member would shout one word – because this was how they normally did it. The members take turns shouting a word to describe the theme of the episode.

JM: No. You have to say the whole thing.
Inwoo: Me?
JM: Yes.
Inwoo: It’s difficult.
JM: That’s difficult?
Inwoo: Yes.
Ravi: (laughing)

Look: he wouldn’t have problems remembering the words. He’s an actor; he memorizes scripts. I think he was worried about the performance of the cheer. He wanted to make sure that he delivered the words and gestures in the exact way they were doing it before. That’s why he asked Dindin how to point a finger: whether his finger should forward or backward.

Inwoo: Which way is it?
Dindin: It doesn’t matter. But doing like this might look offensive, so do it this way.

JongMin thought it was all funny because the newbie was so green and earnest. He was unabashed to show his enthusiasm for the show.

SeYoon: It’s fine as long as you don’t do this. (Was he lifting his middle finger? I can’t tell.)
Dindin: This might feel offensive. (puts his finger in front of Inwoo’s face) Do you like it when someone does this?

It seems like Na InWoo is meticulous with details, mindful of the rules, and more importantly, unafraid to seek guidance from the older members.

JM: He’s very new. We have a very new member.
SeYoon: Can you do it at one go? Don’t you need to rehearse first?
Dindin: (coaching him one last time) Real, wild, road variety.

Then Inwoo did something weird. He pretended like he was a cartoon hero “powering up.” His power source though was the … huh?… a tea pot? His blue jacket?

InWoo: (shouting) Real. Wild. Road. Variety. Who are we? Il-bag…
Others: I-il!
Dindin: Daebak! You have a great vocalization. (patting him on the back)

All initiation rites are designed to foster a sense of belonging in the newbie and feelings of acceptance in the old-timers. Although Na InWoo fudged his entrance because he got lost in the mountain, his zeal and cluelessness bode well for the future of the program. He fits right in and he’ll add new blood.

Looking forward to the Part 2 this Sunday.