Latest news with #Hyori'sHomestay
Muscat Daily
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
BTS Jin shines in Netflix's reality show, announces comeback album
Seoul, South Korea – BTS star Jin is making headlines both on screen and in the recording studio this month, as he takes centre stage in Netflix's eccentric new variety show Kian's Bizarre B&B and prepares to release his second solo album Echo in May. During a press conference held in Seoul on Tuesday, Jin spoke candidly about his experience filming the unconventional reality series, which is set in a quirky guesthouse on Ulleung Island. Despite suggestions to tone down the show's more inconvenient features, such as outdoor beds and a fireman's pole connecting floors, Jin insisted on maintaining the original concept. 'When suggestions for changes came up, I argued against them because they weren't in line with the programme's original direction,' he said. 'Of course, we made changes to improve safety for the guests and crew, but the core idea should remain intact.' The show stars TV personality and artist Kim Hee-min—better known as Kian84—as the host of the bizarre bed and breakfast, with Jin and actress Ji Ye-eun joining as staff. The concept, which blends elements of military life with a lodge-style retreat, is meant to foster camaraderie among guests through its deliberately inconvenient setup. 'If you stay in a conventional place, you'll enjoy it but forget it,' said Kian84. 'But if it's inconvenient and unique, it encourages more interaction and becomes memorable.' Despite its whimsical vibe, the filming process proved physically and emotionally draining. Kian84 admitted to breaking down after just two days of managing the guesthouse, crediting Jin for helping him pull through. Jin, who anticipated the challenges, said he was drawn to the project out of curiosity after repeatedly encountering Kian84 content in his YouTube recommendations. 'I wanted to know if he really carries a spoon or toothbrush in his pocket, or lies down immediately after eating—and yes, he truly does,' Jin laughed. Produced by the creators of the 2017–2018 hit Hyori's Homestay , Kian's Bizarre B&B premiered its first three episodes on April 8. Three additional episodes are set to drop later today, with the final set releasing on April 22. Meanwhile, BigHit Music also announced on Tuesday that Jin will release his second solo EP, Echo , on May 16 at 1pm (KST). The seven-track album marks his return just six months after his previous solo release, Happy . In a statement, the agency said the early release reflects Jin's desire to stay connected with fans. To promote the upcoming album, a video message is currently playing every 30 minutes on the massive K-pop Square screen at COEX in southern Seoul, running daily from 6am to 11:30pm until Saturday. With his schedule filled with both screen appearances and musical projects, Jin continues to showcase his versatility and charm, delighting fans across the globe.
Korea Herald
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Kian's Bizarre B&B' takes on bed and breakfast in ocean with BTS Jin and 'SNL Korea' star
Celebrities explore guesthouse experience in space dreamt up by star cartoonist Netflix Korea's latest original variety show, "Kian's Bizarre B&B," brings together one of South Korea's most popular cartoonists Kian84, BTS superstar Jin and "Saturday Night Live Korea" star Ji Ye-eun for an imaginative take on the guesthouse reality format. Set aboard a bed and breakfast in the middle of the ocean near Ulleung-do, the series follows the trio as they host a rotating cast of guests in a space dreamt up by Kian84 himself. The artist's vision, translated into a fully built set, features fantastical elements like a rock-climbing entrance, cocoon-shaped tea rooms and slide exits. The series is helmed by producer Jung Hyo-min, who created one of Korea's most beloved celebrity guesthouse shows, "Hyori's Homestay." Jung revealed during a press conference Tuesday in Jung-gu, Seoul, that the concept for "Kian's Bizarre B&B" took shape as he explored ways to reimagine "Hyori's Homestay" for a more contemporary audience. 'I think I worked on 'Hyori's Homestay' around 2018. Since then, I've continued working with writer Yoon Shin-hye, and we would sometimes talk about this during planning meetings -- what could a modern version of a guesthouse variety show look like?' said Jung. 'But we always hit a wall. ... No matter who we considered casting, we kept wondering -- could it ever be more interesting than 'Hyori's Homestay'?' he added. Then came cartoonist Kian84, who rose to rockstar celebrity status with his quirky personality on a slew of popular Korean entertainment shows. 'If (the show led by Kian84) were to happen, it seemed like it would naturally turn into a show with a completely different vibe from traditional guesthouse programs,' Jung explained. Much of that new energy came from the outlandish setting, originally sketched by Kian84. Producer Lee So-min shared that the production team was committed to translating Kian84's artistic vision into reality. 'We wanted to bring our imagination to life just as we had envisioned it and we hoped the set would closely match Kian84's drawings,' said Lee. 'The art director, who has worked on many beautiful projects like 'Youn's Kitchen,' said, 'This is the kind of house that a professional would never even imagine.' The art director happily took it on as a new and exciting challenge.' The casting of Jin added even more star power and potential to the project. The producers said they aimed to showcase new sides of the BTS member rarely seen in his previous variety appearances. 'Ji Ye-eun was recommended by Kian84, and as for Jin, when I saw him in some of his variety content, it felt like not even a tenth of his charm was coming through,' said Jung. 'I thought that if we could bring out (Jin's) charm through this kind of variety show, it could be a win for everyone.'
