Seungkwan from Seventeen, who served as the team manager for the 'Winning Wonder Dogs', shared his thoughts and determination about participating in the program.
On the 19th, MBC's entertainment program ‘Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung’ released an interview with Boo Seungkwan.
Boo Seungkwan said, “As a volleyball fan, I always wanted to do a program with Kim Yeon-koung, and it was amazing and an honor to actually make it happen,” adding, “Before being Seventeen's Seungkwan, I thought my biggest role as the team manager of the 'Winning Wonder Dogs' was to help the players focus on the game and give them energy.”
Regarding the 'Winning Wonder Dogs', a team of underdog players, he said, “Their passion and teamwork are exceptional. It’s not just a simple broadcast; you can feel the players' sincerity in wanting to show their volleyball skills once again,” and expressed confidence, saying, “Even though I’m a manager, I’ve already become their number one fan. I’m sure viewers will also become fans after watching the show.”
On the different experience of being a manager compared to idol activities, he shared, “At first, the players and coaching staff found me a bit intimidating, but the more I approached them comfortably, the more relaxed our relationship became. Also, serving as the manager of the 'Winning Wonder Dogs' made me feel grateful to the Seventeen manager once again.”
In conclusion, Seungkwan said, “This program is something that Director Kim Yeon-koung, the production team, coaching staff, and players have all worked hard on. I also did my best to support them, so I hope viewers will watch it kindly,” asking for the audience's support and interest.
Seungkwan, who will show a different charm as a team manager from being an idol, can be seen in MBC's new entertainment show ‘Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung’, which will premiere on September 28 at 9:10 PM.
Below is the full interview with Boo Seungkwan
Q. What are your thoughts on participating in ‘Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung’?
I love volleyball so much, and as a fan of Kim Yeon-koung, I imagined doing a volleyball program together someday, and it was amazing and an honor to see that come true.
Q. What do you consider the most important part of your role in ‘Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung’?
As the team manager, I wanted to be as helpful as possible to the players and coaching staff. Before being Seventeen's Seungkwan, I thought it was most important to help the players focus on the game and give them energy as manager Boo Seungkwan.
Q. What charm points of ‘Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung’ do you want viewers to pay attention to?
I believe that even if you don’t know the rules of volleyball, anyone can really enjoy it when they watch. Seeing the determination and passion of the underdog players, I think viewers will definitely get hooked on this program.
Q. What personal goals do you want to achieve through ‘Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung’?
As someone who has loved volleyball since I was very young, I hope it becomes more popular among the public. I also hope that the team 'Winning Wonder Dogs' becomes a team that can continue, not just a temporary project team. If many viewers can see and empathize with how much effort the players, director, and coaching staff put in for another team, I would be happy with that alone.
Q. What message would you like to convey to fans and viewers?
MBC’s ‘Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung’ is a program that the production team, Director Kim Yeon-koung, coaching staff, and above all, the players have worked hard on. If many people support and watch it, it would be a great help. I also tried my best to support as a manager, so I hope you will watch it kindly.
Q. Do you have any tips for enjoying volleyball more?
Since this is my first volleyball broadcast, I think viewers will find many new aspects. Volleyball is a sport that anyone can get into, whether they know the rules or not. It would be more fun to watch it with family while ordering delicious food, just like watching an Olympic game.
Q. How has your experience as the team manager of ‘Winning Wonder Dogs’ changed you?
I experienced volleyball, which I only saw from a fan's perspective, very differently while being the manager of the 'Winning Wonder Dogs'. I realized that every small play is the result of countless training as I watched how the players train and how the director and coaching staff prepare for the games, and I felt a sense of respect.
Q. How was your role as a manager different from your idol activities?
At first, I was nervous and worried if I could do well, but I adapted quickly. The players and coaching staff found me a bit intimidating at first (thinking of me as Seventeen's Seungkwan), but the more I approached them comfortably, the more relaxed our relationship became. Also, serving as the manager of the 'Winning Wonder Dogs' made me feel grateful to the Seventeen manager once again.
Q. What is the unique charm of ‘Winning Wonder Dogs’?
First of all, it’s their passion. The underdog players who joined the 'Winning Wonder Dogs' felt a strong desire to show their volleyball skills once again, not just for the broadcast. Their teamwork is also so good that they look like a team that was originally formed. Even though I’m a manager, I’ve already become their number one fan. I’m sure everyone will become a fan after watching the show.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
