[Interview] 'Jjin Kyung-gyu' PD Kwon Hae-bom: "'Infinite Challenge' Kim Tae-ho, Hope to Open the Era of Global Variety Shows"

Kwon Haebom PD / Photo by KakaoTV

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] 'Mormot' PD Kwon Haebom sent love calls to Lee Hyori and Choi Minsoo following Lee Kyung-kyu. He also cheered on PD Kim Tae-ho’s freelance activities, asking him to open the era of global variety shows.

In a video interview held on the 4th, PD Kwon Haebom said, "I have worked hard to create content faithful to laughter over the past year and a half," and promised, "I will return with the next season of 'Jjin Kyung-kyu.'"

KakaoTV's 'Jjin Kyung-kyu' is a new media content first challenged by veteran broadcaster Lee Kyung-kyu with 40 years of experience. It aired 67 episodes over 16 months from September 2020 to December last year. It is the longest and most episode-rich original series ever, gaining popularity with a cumulative view count of 85 million.

On this day, PD Kwon Haebom said, "I planned various formats in my first main directing work. It was tough but fun," and added, "We started broadcasting 'Jjin Kyung-kyu' simultaneously with the launch of Kakao TV and presented it without a break. I feel proud as it recorded the highest views ever for a single program."

How did he end up working with Lee Kyung-kyu, who is the same age as his mother? PD Kwon said, "When senior producer Oh Yun-hwan proposed it, I said yes without hesitation, largely influenced by Lee Kyung-kyu."

"When I was young, I watched public service variety shows like 'Lee Kyung-kyu is Coming' and 'Exclamation Mark,' and thought the job of a PD was cool and dreamed of it. I wanted to tell the MZ generation that Lee Kyung-kyu is really funny. I wanted to create a truly 'funny variety show.' I think it will serve as nourishment for my future directing."

What kind of person is Lee Kyung-kyu from a close perspective? PD Kwon emphasized, "He is a person without lies." He said, "At the beginning of planning, I suggested using a 'buca' (another character), but he firmly rejected it saying 'I am me' because it didn’t suit him. He is 'jjin' (real). All his actions, including anger, advice, and laughter, are sincere."

PD Kwon also said, "Lee Kyung-kyu has exceptional insight into content and excellent perception of people and phenomena," adding, "When cable and KakaoTV emerged, wasn’t he the first broadcaster to challenge them all? He has no resistance to working with new directors and continuously pursues change. His passion and sense of mission for broadcasting are strong."

When asked about the most difficult shoot among the various episodes he planned, including collaborations with Pengsoo, escape rooms, panic disorder camps, and secondhand trading, he gave an honest answer.

PD Kwon said, "The 'Good Deeds Manufacturing Project' was the hardest. I thought there would be no shortage of good deeds since Lee Kyung-kyu has been active in broadcasting for nearly 40 years, but that was not the case. I felt that there could be no good deeds as well as no flaws," he laughed.

When asked who he would like to work with next after Lee Kyung-kyu, PD Kwon smiled brightly and named Lee Hyori and Choi Minsoo.

"I want to expand the 'Jjin' series. I’m curious about Lee Hyori’s life in Jeju Island and the stories of people she meets there, and I’m also curious about the passionate brothers riding bikes with Choi Minsoo. I also want to know what kind of life he has with Kang Joo-eun."

At the same time, PD Kwon said, "I want to meet Lee Kyung-kyu again. 'Jjin Kyung-kyu' is just the end of the season," but added, "This year, we are also preparing a series variety show that the MZ generation likes. A recent popular keyword is 'over-immersion.' We are planning content that makes viewers immerse themselves as if they are in real situations like dating and survival."

Recently, as the online video service (OTT) market expands and global interest in K-content intensifies, winds of change are blowing. PD Kwon Haebom viewed it as "a period of transformation in the OTT market."

"With the success of 'Squid Game,' I felt that K-content appeals not only domestically but also globally. Variety shows are not at the center of this, but through various platforms, K-variety shows might also advance into the global market. I want to plan related content on KakaoTV as well. I don’t think it’s just a dream."

PD Kwon left MBC, a terrestrial broadcaster where he worked for 10 years, in 2020 and moved to KakaoTV. PD Kim Tae-ho, who directed 'Infinite Challenge' and 'Hangout with Yoo,' also submitted his resignation. His move to OTT is likely.

PD Kwon said, "I really support him. I hope he opens the global path for variety shows," and added, "I hope domestic OTTs do well rather than global OTTs like YouTube and Netflix. Domestic platforms have enough competitiveness," showing confidence.