Not long after Coffee Friends, Na-PD was back with another beautiful story about two old friends (or I may say ‘couple’) along with a reality ‘newbie’ running a hostel in SPAIN!
After running restaurants introducing Korean cuisine in foreign country (Youn’s Kitchen 1&2), now his casts are running a hostel in a foreign country and still bringing Korean cuisine to the world. It is no ordinary hostel. Have you ever heard about Camino de Santiago – pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Campostela, Spain. There’s this pilgrimage all over Europe where people are going to one destination on foot. Yes baby, by walking! Pilgrimage needs to walk for over 780KM to reach their destination. The popular starting point is in St. Jean-Pied-du-Port, France. By its route, they will reach Villafranca del Bierzo before hitting another 187KM to reach the Cathedral of St. James. This is where the trio will host a Korean Hostel for predominantly Korean pilgrims for the next 9 days.
I expected good editing, good music, and salivating food from Na-Pd’s shows; but (as always), his casts play the magic as well. They create their own stories by their imagination and creativity along with their sincerity. If we watched the 3 meals a day back then, we knew how lovely Cha Sun Woo and Yoo Hae Jin together. They even call each other “chagiya” – darling lol. The role division is clear; Cha Sun Woo will take care of the kitchen while Yoo Hae Jin will be taking care of the cleaning section and DIY section. Bae Jung Nam as the newbie and the youngest will be having the “mangnae” role – or as we call the assistant. What funny here is Yoo Hae Jin escalate the show by introducing a new “DIY company” himself called IKEYO. Does the name ring the bell? hahaha. The IKEYO things become more interesting and quite a highlight when he recruits one of the PDs to become his “manager”.
IKEYO productions becoming massive within 9 days. They create the room-sign-name, dryer for dishes, wine-bottle handler, wifi sign, bucket’s lid for pilgrims’ toiletries, and the most hilarious one – Kimchi Fridge hahahaaha. I love how Cha Sun Woo suddenly creates a story of themselves. Reminds me a lot with Youth Over Flower in Iceland. However, this is just like a drama (but nothing beats Jung Sang Moon and Jo Jeong Seok’s epic sampgyeopsal scene). When the Kimchi Fridge appears, Yoo Hae Jin always ‘operates’ it complete with the sound. Sometimes, Cha Sun Woo will casually say that they need to lower the temperature on the “fridge”, Yoo Hae Jin will walk to the Fridge and pretend to operate it. And, we will hear the crew’s laughter burst in the back which is one of the reasons I love Na Pd’s shows. They really make the raw emotion becoming one of the elements – including their crews. The interactions among the crew, the casts, and the guests are this show’s charms. They cannot control how many the guests are coming or where they come from. Sometimes, they get only 1, sometimes they get more than 5, sometimes they get none. The Korean guests are genuinely amazed for the fact that they are served by celebrities! The foreigners are surprised by the hearty food of Korean cuisine. The casts are excited seeing how many pilgrims are staying at their hostel, and the crews are astonished by how the casts react. I am in awe how all sincerity plays part in every show of Na PD, especially when it involves customers.
Initially the show was created for hosting Korean pilgrims because for the past recent years there is an increasing number of pilgrims from South Korea. Almost all of the signs are written in Korean and of course they only offer Korean style food. Nonetheless, they accept guests from allover the country. From Spain to US. From 14 years old to guest in their almost 70s. What I love the most from this kind reality show is the sincerity of the guests when having their first bites. Korean or not, they enjoy the food so much. We have a little bit impression that they are bored eating bread and by eating Korean food; it is like eating a comfort food. Hearty soup, warm rice, and generous side dishes.
Another thing to anticipate on every Na-Pd’s shows is the exclaiming sceneries!!! That small village is captured nicely by him. The sunrise. The Sunset. The Love between the casts and crews, and among the guests. So many of the scenes are their activities only; Yoo Hae Jin sweeps the floor, Bae Jung Nam and Cha Sung Woo work harmoniously in the kitchen, or when the pilgrims are walking. Na PD recognizes his style and it becomes his trademarks.
Overall, Na PD’s shows always leave something special to the heart of the casts, crews, the guests, and us the viewers. He shows the hospitality of Koreans (the casts) hosting guests. He also shows how Koreans (pilgrims) on their journey as foreigners. Not to forget, he also shows the international community in this pilgrimages. How everyone regardless their nationalities; when it comes to sharing food; they will display the same warmth, same laughter even though there is a language barrier and food culture difference. Nevertheless, when you eat together, the taste, the togetherness, that makes you realize, you are not alone. For whatever reasons; the pilgrims had before they start this pilgrimage; good food and companion give them spirit.
Thank you once again Na Youn Souk and the ganks.
Buen Camino
Now; should I take a leap on watching Journey to the West and Kang’s Kitchen? (I am not a fan of Kang Ho Dong though :()
CVB
