PD Kim Ji-woo of 'TaeGyeilJu4' bid farewell ahead of the end of Season 4.
The MBC entertainment program 'Born to Travel the World 4' (hereafter 'TaeGyeilJu4') will conclude with its broadcast on the 29th at 9:10 PM.
This journey, which followed the high-altitude trade route 'Chama-godo' from the Himalayas in Nepal to Yunnan in China, was written by the four members: Gi-an 84, Pani Bottle, Lee Si-eon, and Dex.
This season left a deep resonance, transcending simple entertainment to weave a human narrative of friendship, challenge, and survival. From Gi-an 84's Sherpa experience, Dex's Gurkha training breakthrough, Pani Bottle's exhausted fighting spirit, to Lee Si-eon's dumb and dumber moments, their high-altitude journey provided intense immersion that sometimes felt desperate and at other times delightful, breaking the boundaries between 'documentary and entertainment.'
The chemistry of the 'Gi-Pa-Si-Dek' brothers was the strongest weapon of Season 4. Beyond integrating the worldviews of Seasons 1-3, the four became 'real brothers,' crying and laughing together like family. Viewers experienced their genuine bromance, passionate diss battles, and tearful farewells, creating an emotional rollercoaster.
This season was the center of attention from before it started until it ended. It recorded the highest viewership ratings of the series from the first broadcast, marking a pleasant start, and continued to prove its box office power with high ratings and the top spot in integrated OTT and TV popularity. After each broadcast, it heated up portals, communities, and social media, solidifying its position as a 'trustworthy entertainment show.'
PD Kim Ji-woo of MBC pushed the unprecedented concept of 'unplanned local immersion' for four seasons, drawing out the genuine emotions of humans in unfamiliar worlds. Sometimes watching the participants from a distance and at other times being in the midst of tears and chaos, he completed a 'life record' that transcended simple entertainment through 'TaeGyeilJu.'
What did PD Kim Ji-woo say about the meaning of this journey?
Below is the Q&A with PD Kim Ji-woo
- How will you remember Season 4 as a director?
This journey seems to be a season where the 'fun of hardship' exploded more than ever. The four brothers met in Nepal and showed raw struggles while traveling the rugged 'Chama-godo' route, from the difficult Sherpa village in the Himalayas to the Gurkha academy and the Naxi village, turning their raw hardships into fun adventures, romance, and friendship.
- Why did you choose 'Chama-godo' as the travel destination?
'Chama-godo' is one of the oldest trade routes in the world and a place where we can glimpse the primal lives of people who have made the rugged highlands their home for thousands of years. As our series' motto is to 'travel to places you want to visit at least once before you die,' I thought this place, which is not easily accessible, would stimulate the curiosity of the four brothers.
- Why did you choose 'mountains' as the theme this time?
While we have visited high-altitude areas in previous seasons, we have never focused on 'mountains' as a theme. I wanted to include the stories of those who live in the mountains in 'TaeGyeilJu' someday. Through this season, we were finally able to present the majestic nature and culture of the Himalayas and Chama-godo to the viewers.
- How do you think the chemistry of the 'Gi-Pa-Si-Dek' members changed this season?
This season was one where the members became closer than in any previous season. While previous seasons were about getting to know each other, this season was one where the 'real brothers' cried and laughed together in a challenging environment, showing their 'true chemistry.'
5. What was the most impressive moment for you as a director?
The early morning 'Doko-run' training at the Gurkha training center in Nepal is the most memorable. It was an extreme training where we had to run with a 15kg bag on our heads. Despite the exhausting situation where everyone must have been tired from the continuous rigorous training, no one complained, and they encouraged each other, ultimately completing the challenge together. At that moment, I felt a touching emotion of 'we can do this together.'
- How did you handle unexpected situations?
The charm of travel is indeed the unpredictable situations. At the beginning of the trip, when Pani Bottle was struggling with health issues, the entire production team was worried and closely monitoring the situation. Fortunately, he quickly recovered and became the support for his brothers again as 'Dun-Dun Bottle,' which I was grateful for.
Meanwhile, the 'love confession' was also something the production team did not expect at all, but I was impressed by how he acknowledged it honestly and confidently like a 'man.' I was also curious about why he has been looking so handsome lately, and it seems the clues were revealed in a cheerful manner.
- What was the most challenging moment during the production of this season?
The first journey to the Sherpa village in the Himalayas was the most difficult. As it is the starting point of the Everest trekking course, it is notorious for being one of the most rugged places in the Himalayas, and all the production staff climbed the mountain while silently screaming in their hearts. In particular, the camera director, who always had to carry heavy equipment, had traveled the world with us but found this season particularly challenging, even reaching the point of exhaustion, and some had to visit the hospital for pain relief injections.
To make matters worse, we faced the variable of bad weather. Due to poor weather conditions, we had to travel by helicopter, but there were times when even the helicopter could not take off properly. Some of the helicopters and flights heading to Lukla were canceled, preventing some of the production team from joining, and we had to shoot with a very small number of crew members.
- What was the most memorable scene regarding Gi-an 84's adaptability?
This season, despite carrying loads on his head for three out of five days in Nepal, he never complained and enjoyed the experience, even worrying about the local friends who had to do this as a daily routine, which made me think his adaptability to the local environment was remarkable.
In India, when he heard the local boatman's words about the Ganges River being a sacred place and a blessing, the entire production team was surprised when he unhesitatingly drank the water from the Ganges River together.
Additionally, in Madagascar, he showed his unique eating show by filleting sand-covered fish with his bare hands and pouring a lot of sauce on it. The moment when the local friends present were amazed by this was a testament to Gi-an 84's adaptability, which was 'more local than the locals.'
- What preparations and considerations did you make to approach the ethnic minorities this season?
In the case of 'Chama-godo,' I think we were able to see the lives of the people living there through the famous documentary of the same name. 'TaeGyeilJu' is a travel entertainment show, but we strive to capture the lives of the people in the area deeply, so we often refer to 'documentaries.'
- The ratings and popularity received a uniformly positive response. What do you think is the reason?
We were surprised by the many responses that this season was particularly fun. In fact, we are currently in the fifth season, including the spin-off, and I felt proud and grateful for the feedback that 'the fifth season is the most fun.' The chemistry of the four, who became closer than in any other season, and the honest and comfortable emotions exchanged among them seem to evoke feelings of 'wanting to travel together.' Additionally, viewers seem to be touched and appreciative of Gi-an 84's genuine attitude of mingling freely with locals and accepting cultures without prejudice.
- When do you think the viewer response was the hottest?
The episode where they first met the Sherpa boy in the Himalayas and the brothers' activities at the Gurkha training center received the most attention. Everyone found it more challenging than expected, and it was a tough time, but it seems that viewers liked it even more than anticipated.
- There was a message about Gi-an 84's 'last journey,' so is the possibility of Season 5 completely closed?
I am well aware of the viewers' wishes for the next season. However, there are currently no new plans being made at this time, which is disappointing for me as well. However, as Si-eon said, 'it's not the END but AND,' I think if we wait a little longer, there may be an opportunity to meet the viewers in some form.
