‘Krazy Rich Korean’ showcased the 'real madness' of world-class Koreans right from its first broadcast.
The new KBS2 entertainment show ‘Krazy Rich Korean’ aired its first episode on the 15th, depicting the first stories of world-class Koreans active in various fields around the globe.
The viewership rating was 2.9% (based on Nielsen Korea nationwide), with the scene where Betty Park held a K-Mandu tasting event in Harlem reaching a peak rating of 3.6%. It recorded higher ratings than last week's 'Gag Concert' and JTBC's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator since 2014' airing at the same time, marking a smooth start.
MCs Jeon Hyun-moo, Park Se-ri, and Ji Ye-eun opened the show with world-renowned cellist and conductor Jang Han-na, who visited the studio. For the first time on air, Jang Han-na's luxurious mansion in the U.S. was revealed, and the overwhelming scale of the mansion left the MCs exclaiming, "It looks like a house from a movie." Notably, Jang Han-na surprised the MCs again by revealing that she cleans the entire vast house by herself.
At home, instead of resting, Jang Han-na focused on preparing for her final season performance in Hamburg, Germany, just ten days away. After breakfast, she sat at her desk, spread out her sheet music, and meticulously analyzed the structure of the music for perfect conducting, even engaging in image training for her performance.
Later, Jang Han-na took a break from her workaholic routine and drove to her favorite restaurant of 30 years. After shocking the MCs by only eating tomatoes and blueberries for breakfast, she indulged in high-calorie foods from baby back ribs to mac and cheese. Jeon Hyun-moo humorously remarked, "I thought you were a mukbang YouTuber" as Jang Han-na unleashed her appetite.
The second Krazy Rich Korean introduced was Kim Sang-sik, the head coach of the Vietnam national football team. After taking office last year, he led the team to victory in a Southeast Asian tournament within eight months, establishing himself as 'Vietnam's national hero.' He displayed his unique passion for football by monitoring K-League match videos on his tablet as soon as he woke up in the morning.
While having breakfast with his interpreter, Kim Sang-sik casually asked if he had attended a friend's wedding, engaging in friendly conversation. After breakfast, he commuted to the Vietnam Football Federation, just a three-minute walk from his residence, to attend the appointment ceremony for newly joined coaches Lee Woon-jae and Lee Jung-soo, marking the birth of the 'Kim Sang-sik faction.'
To prepare for an important A-match for Vietnam, Kim Sang-sik moved to Ho Chi Minh City, where he lined up with the coaching staff at the entrance of a restaurant before the meal. As the players entered the restaurant, Kim Sang-sik and the coaches greeted each player individually, showcasing their strong teamwork. The players affectionately referred to Kim Sang-sik as 'Hyung' (older brother), indicating their close relationship.
However, Kim Sang-sik began to notice the free-spirited hairstyles of some players, from dyed hair to perms, and eventually approached the players during their meal to address the issue. Even after the coaching staff started their meal, Kim Sang-sik continued to watch the players intently. Known for his nickname 'Viper,' Kim Sang-sik's persistence raises curiosity about how he will manage the Vietnamese players moving forward.
The third Krazy Rich Korean was Betty Park, who has been running a restaurant in Harlem, New York, for 40 years. Having immigrated to the U.S. after giving up her studies due to financial difficulties, she started her business in Harlem in 1983 and became the CEO of a restaurant with an annual revenue of 20 billion won.
Betty Park meticulously checked the operational readiness of her restaurant, skillfully managing her staff with what is known as 'K-Japdori.' Her unique charisma had even the much larger staff members following her orders obediently, leaving the MCs in awe.
Noticing a lull in customers, Betty Park actively engaged in marketing by developing new menu items featuring popular K-food in the U.S. However, after standing all day without rest, she began to experience knee pain, prompting her son Ian to express concern and suggest she go home and rest.
To avoid her son's nagging about her health, Betty Park sneaked down to the basement for a quick rest but was soon caught and forced to return home. With Betty Park reigning over Harlem and her staff, anticipation is high for the stories that will unfold in the upcoming Harlem narrative.
‘Krazy Rich Korean’ captured the real workplaces and daily lives of individuals that have been hard to see on television, delivering a delightful experience from the very first broadcast. Throughout the show, AI technology was actively utilized to create effects that seemed to connect the past and present of the Krazy Rich Koreans, providing viewers with both entertainment and emotional resonance.
‘Krazy Rich Korean’ is a human reality entertainment show that directly visits K-people who have achieved success in various fields, shedding light on their lives, philosophies, and passions. MCs Jeon Hyun-moo, Park Se-ri, Ji Ye-eun, and Kwak Tube follow the lives of Koreans active around the world, engaging with the audience.
