Choo Sung-hoon, Kwak Jun-bin, and Lee Eun-ji truly felt the scale of the continent through work and travel.
In the episode aired on the 16th, co-produced by EBS and ENA, "You have to pay for your meal" featured the "meal payers" enjoying a worry-free trip to Wuzhangzai after earning a record high wage of 888 yuan through the most challenging labor at a distillery in China's Maotai village.
On that day, the "meal payers" set off for the distillery at 5 AM to challenge themselves to make the representative liquor of Maotai village, Jiangxiangxing Baijiu. Since it was a high-intensity task involving handling hot sorghum steamed at 100 degrees, they decided to receive 40 yuan, which is about double the minimum wage.
While preparing the first task of making the fermentation starter, Choo Sung-hoon showcased his distillery staff vibe and stood out in the task of spreading the hot sorghum evenly on the floor to lower its temperature. Despite the heat and steam emanating from the 100-degree sorghum, he skillfully scooped the sorghum and shared his know-how with Lee Eun-ji, who was struggling with the shoveling, effectively taking on the role of the work team leader.
Meanwhile, as everyone began the endless shoveling while mixing the sorghum and fermentation starter, Lee Eun-ji raised the energy by exchanging hearts and high-fives with her seniors, creating a warm atmosphere. "When the people you work with are happy and joyful, the results are good," she said, expressing her gratitude to the seniors who introduced them, wishing to support them in working brightly and happily.
After completing the three-hour journey, the "meal payers" received a generous payment of 888 yuan, which was more than the 360 yuan calculated based on their hourly wage, thanks to the distillery owner's generosity. They were even invited to the owner's grand house, welcomed with a message on a display board, and tasted a welcome drink worth 160 million won, capturing the attention of viewers as they experienced the class of a liquor tycoon on the continent.
Additionally, Choo Sung-hoon, Kwak Jun-bin, and Lee Eun-ji took a trip to the nearby hot spot Wuzhangzai in a car borrowed from the distillery owner. Although the entrance fee for the three was 360 yuan, they decided not to think about money for the day and showed their generosity by spending 380 yuan at a high-end restaurant, which was more expensive than the total amount they had spent on meals in China so far.
Choo Sung-hoon, who had made excellent menu selections in the past, ordered spicy tofu with beef, stir-fried abalone with peanut sprouts, Chinese dumplings, and Dongpo pork, which Kwak Jun-bin wanted, showcasing his understanding of his siblings' tastes. Furthermore, when Kwak Jun-bin, who wanted to know the power of a low kick, was given a mild tasting low kick, he exclaimed, "It feels like I was hit with a club," eliciting laughter with his genuine reaction.
Meanwhile, towards the end of the broadcast, a recruitment notice for a square dance instructor was delivered to the "meal payers." The number of recruits was one, and they had to attend an interview by 9 PM. Lee Eun-ji, who is skilled in dancing, emerged as a strong candidate, but Kwak Jun-bin also expressed confidence in shuffle dance, raising curiosity about who would secure the position of square dance instructor.
Through genuine labor and delicious food, EBS and ENA's "You have to pay for your meal" offers enjoyable local travel experiences and airs every Saturday at 7:50 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
