"My ambition is to create a next-generation group that will lead Korean entertainment for the next 10 years." (Na Young-seok)
Na Young-seok has returned, leading a group of young stars into the rugged mountains. His new Netflix variety show, 'Why Are We Hiking?' captures the raw survival experiences of four reluctant hikers who have spent their lives avoiding the outdoors.
On August 12, a production presentation for 'Why Are We Hiking?' (referred to as 'Dae-dung-why') was held at Hotel Naru Seoul M Gallery in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Na Young-seok, fellow producer Park Hyun-yong, singer Car the Garden, Day6's Do-woon, actor Lee Chae-min, and All Day Project's Tarzan.
Set to premiere on August 18, the 10-episode series follows four individuals who have never shown interest in hiking as they embark on their first winter mountain expedition. This real hiking variety show promises to deliver authentic experiences.
Na Young-seok expressed his excitement about the new project and his strong trust in the cast. He stated, "Every time I launch a new program, I feel both excited and worried, but I believe that the essence of variety shows lies in the characters. It’s a great fortune to work with this new crew of four."
'Dae-dung-why' features a fresh combination of cast members, including Car the Garden, Do-woon, Lee Chae-min, and Tarzan, which has generated buzz since the planning stages. Na explained his casting choices, saying, "I wanted to find hidden gems among new faces that no one has touched before, eliciting reactions like, 'Did that person have such a sense of humor?'
Initially, the production team planned a typical variety show with light games and travel. However, after conducting pre-interviews, they recognized the cast's hidden potential and character, prompting a shift in the program's direction.
Na noted, "I was curious about the chemistry that would emerge in a more challenging environment, which can only be experienced at this youthful age, so I chose hiking as the theme."
Co-director Park Hyun-yong also highlighted the unexpected changes in relationships that arise from forced hiking. He shared, "I once went hiking with Na Young-seok under the influence of writer Lee Woo-jung, and I found that enduring a tough experience together led to more conversations and stronger bonds. I even hid the hiking aspect from the cast when I recruited them. I wanted to capture the genuine struggles of young people facing the harsh winter mountains."
Under the meticulous planning of the production team, the cast began their journey with a climb of Seoraksan in temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius, followed by early morning hikes on Taebaeksan and a trek on Hallasan, tackling some of South Korea's most challenging mountains. Na believes that this rugged backdrop will provide fresh viewing experiences for global audiences. He remarked, "It's rare to find such steep and treacherous terrain, along with blizzards, anywhere else in the world. Domestic viewers will resonate deeply, while international audiences will be curious about Korea's captivating mountains."
Park also pointed out that the culture of enjoying kimbap and ramen at the mountain summit is a unique aspect of Korean hiking culture, which serves as another highlight of the program.
The candid hiking experiences of the four reluctant hikers brought laughter to the event. Instead of romanticizing the allure or sense of achievement in hiking, they shared their honest feelings about the physical challenges they faced, hinting at the genuine reactions that will be featured in the show.
As the eldest and leader of the group, Car the Garden humorously stated, "Every time I climbed, my only thought was, 'I just want to get down quickly.'" Day6's Do-woon echoed this sentiment, saying, "I wanted to descend immediately upon arrival, and the way down felt endless. It was a uniquely charming hiking experience."
The youngest member, Lee Chae-min, reflected on moments of brief inspiration amid physical pain. He shared, "I thought it would be really tough from the start, but it was so exhausting that I couldn't even express how heavy my legs felt. However, I will always remember the moment I reached the summit of Hallasan and saw the sea of clouds. It was a special gift, but I still wanted to get down just like the others." Tarzan added, "I endured the climb thinking about the food I could eat at the summit. That sincerity alone helped me finish the hike."
The contrast between the producers' romantic expectations and the cast's reality became a strong asset for 'Dae-dung-why.' Na expressed satisfaction with how the cast broke traditional variety show norms in the mountain setting.
He said, "I secretly hoped that the four misfits would start off grumbling but gradually discover the joy of the mountains and bond deeply at the summit. However, times have changed. Car the Garden, despite being the leader, embodied the 'modern person' who only thought of himself without any leadership qualities."
He continued, "In past variety shows, participants would cry tears of emotion while watching a majestic sunrise, but these friends shouted, 'I don’t want to see that.' I believe that genuine reactions like these reflect the codes of today's generation. I take pride in the unique variety show that has emerged from their raw experiences."
At the end of the presentation, the cast shared witty remarks to entice potential viewers.
Car the Garden said, "If you all watch diligently and Na PD decides to send us hiking again, I won’t be able to refuse. For those who dislike me, this is the perfect program to enjoy while lounging at home and laughing at others' struggles."
Do-woon reflected, "It was tough to climb, but the filming team captured the visuals beautifully. It was a learning experience about what professionalism is." Lee Chae-min added, "The beautiful snowy mountain scenery will surely cool you down on a hot summer day when watched from a cool room." Tarzan also commented, "Watching four transparent guys climbing snowy mountains will be genuinely entertaining. I’ll try to avoid hiking next time, but I hope for your continued support."
The Netflix variety show 'Why Are We Hiking?' intertwines the unfiltered survival stories of youth with the stunning scenery of snowy mountains, premiering for global audiences on August 18.
Na Young-seok has returned, leading a group of young stars into the rugged mountains. His new Netflix variety show, 'Why Are We Hiking?' captures the raw survival experiences of four reluctant hikers who have spent their lives avoiding the outdoors.
On August 12, a production presentation for 'Why Are We Hiking?' (referred to as 'Dae-dung-why') was held at Hotel Naru Seoul M Gallery in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Na Young-seok, fellow producer Park Hyun-yong, singer Car the Garden, Day6's Do-woon, actor Lee Chae-min, and All Day Project's Tarzan.
Set to premiere on August 18, the 10-episode series follows four individuals who have never shown interest in hiking as they embark on their first winter mountain expedition. This real hiking variety show promises to deliver authentic experiences.
Na Young-seok expressed his excitement about the new project and his strong trust in the cast. He stated, "Every time I launch a new program, I feel both excited and worried, but I believe that the essence of variety shows lies in the characters. It’s a great fortune to work with this new crew of four."
'Dae-dung-why' features a fresh combination of cast members, including Car the Garden, Do-woon, Lee Chae-min, and Tarzan, which has generated buzz since the planning stages. Na explained his casting choices, saying, "I wanted to find hidden gems among new faces that no one has touched before, eliciting reactions like, 'Did that person have such a sense of humor?'
Initially, the production team planned a typical variety show with light games and travel. However, after conducting pre-interviews, they recognized the cast's hidden potential and character, prompting a shift in the program's direction.
Na noted, "I was curious about the chemistry that would emerge in a more challenging environment, which can only be experienced at this youthful age, so I chose hiking as the theme."
Co-director Park Hyun-yong also highlighted the unexpected changes in relationships that arise from forced hiking. He shared, "I once went hiking with Na Young-seok under the influence of writer Lee Woo-jung, and I found that enduring a tough experience together led to more conversations and stronger bonds. I even hid the hiking aspect from the cast when I recruited them. I wanted to capture the genuine struggles of young people facing the harsh winter mountains."
Under the meticulous planning of the production team, the cast began their journey with a climb of Seoraksan in temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius, followed by early morning hikes on Taebaeksan and a trek on Hallasan, tackling some of South Korea's most challenging mountains. Na believes that this rugged backdrop will provide fresh viewing experiences for global audiences. He remarked, "It's rare to find such steep and treacherous terrain, along with blizzards, anywhere else in the world. Domestic viewers will resonate deeply, while international audiences will be curious about Korea's captivating mountains."
Park also pointed out that the culture of enjoying kimbap and ramen at the mountain summit is a unique aspect of Korean hiking culture, which serves as another highlight of the program.
The candid hiking experiences of the four reluctant hikers brought laughter to the event. Instead of romanticizing the allure or sense of achievement in hiking, they shared their honest feelings about the physical challenges they faced, hinting at the genuine reactions that will be featured in the show.
As the eldest and leader of the group, Car the Garden humorously stated, "Every time I climbed, my only thought was, 'I just want to get down quickly.'" Day6's Do-woon echoed this sentiment, saying, "I wanted to descend immediately upon arrival, and the way down felt endless. It was a uniquely charming hiking experience."
The youngest member, Lee Chae-min, reflected on moments of brief inspiration amid physical pain. He shared, "I thought it would be really tough from the start, but it was so exhausting that I couldn't even express how heavy my legs felt. However, I will always remember the moment I reached the summit of Hallasan and saw the sea of clouds. It was a special gift, but I still wanted to get down just like the others." Tarzan added, "I endured the climb thinking about the food I could eat at the summit. That sincerity alone helped me finish the hike."
The contrast between the producers' romantic expectations and the cast's reality became a strong asset for 'Dae-dung-why.' Na expressed satisfaction with how the cast broke traditional variety show norms in the mountain setting.
He said, "I secretly hoped that the four misfits would start off grumbling but gradually discover the joy of the mountains and bond deeply at the summit. However, times have changed. Car the Garden, despite being the leader, embodied the 'modern person' who only thought of himself without any leadership qualities."
He continued, "In past variety shows, participants would cry tears of emotion while watching a majestic sunrise, but these friends shouted, 'I don’t want to see that.' I believe that genuine reactions like these reflect the codes of today's generation. I take pride in the unique variety show that has emerged from their raw experiences."
At the end of the presentation, the cast shared witty remarks to entice potential viewers.
Car the Garden said, "If you all watch diligently and Na PD decides to send us hiking again, I won’t be able to refuse. For those who dislike me, this is the perfect program to enjoy while lounging at home and laughing at others' struggles."
Do-woon reflected, "It was tough to climb, but the filming team captured the visuals beautifully. It was a learning experience about what professionalism is." Lee Chae-min added, "The beautiful snowy mountain scenery will surely cool you down on a hot summer day when watched from a cool room." Tarzan also commented, "Watching four transparent guys climbing snowy mountains will be genuinely entertaining. I’ll try to avoid hiking next time, but I hope for your continued support."
The Netflix variety show 'Why Are We Hiking?' intertwines the unfiltered survival stories of youth with the stunning scenery of snowy mountains, premiering for global audiences on August 18.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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