[Sportschosun Baek Ji-eun] A dating variety show unlike anything seen before is coming.
At 10 a.m. on the 23rd, JTBC held an online production presentation for "Love War." The show is a dating reality program in which Lee Hyori, Seo Jang-hoon, and Kim Hee-chul meet couples on the verge of breaking up, negotiate with them, and help settle the matter.
Creative director Kwon Hae-bom said, "'Love War' is basically a dating variety show. When people think of dating shows, they usually picture the exciting moment when a man and a woman meet. We looked at it from the opposite angle. Dating is not always sweet and happy; it can also be a swirl of emotions. So we wanted to show the history of how one couple came together, almost like a drama, while three MCs with insight and perspective examine why the conflict arose, look for solutions, negotiate, and finally decide within the program whether the couple will stay together or break up."
"When planning the show, the first people I thought of were Lee Hyori and Seo Jang-hoon," he added. "When I asked myself whose advice couples would want to hear about life and love, Lee Hyori came to mind because even one line from her becomes a quote, and Seo Jang-hoon came to mind because of his work on 'Divorce Camp' and 'Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller.' It took a very long time to persuade them. Later, when I felt something was still missing, Kim Hee-chul was the first person I thought of. He brings a healthy and entertaining spark to the show. He also helps deepen the discussions. The three of them had great chemistry from the first shoot."
He also addressed concerns about protecting the participants. Kwon said, "We try to avoid framing anyone as a perpetrator or a victim as much as possible. Even in editing, rather than cutting only the most provocative scenes to cast someone as a villain, we focused on fully showing both sides, along with the context and background of each incident, so viewers can empathize and enjoy the show together. These days, I think a program has to contain something real. If 'Comedy Revenge' and 'Comedy Royale' were about showing comedians' sincerity, this time I want to vividly show the raw face of real dating."
Producer Park Eun-young said, "If the three MCs are on someone else's side, they can be scary, but if they are on your side, they are very reassuring. Viewers will be able to live vicariously through seeing them take their side." She added, "I actually thought all three would be aggressive, but Seo Jang-hoon ended up showing a surprising image of being pushed around by Lee Hyori. Lee Hyori has a strong-woman image, but she gave many quirky and creative pieces of advice. Kim Hee-chul acted like a mediator between Lee Hyori and Seo Jang-hoon, and he gave the warmest and most empathetic comments."
Lee Hyori, who has been living as one of the entertainment industry's most admired couples with Lee Sang-soon for 13 years, said, "I often tell people to break up. I stopped dating, but I have also had a variety of exhausting relationships, so I tend to say that people should not be afraid of breaking up and that ending things can be one option. Whether we tell them to break up or not, they end up doing what they want anyway, so we just share our thoughts. Since everyone has experienced dating, I think viewers will be able to relate. It starts with dating stories, but in the end it is about how people live, such as manners and etiquette, so all generations can relate to it. I had a prejudice that people might appear just because they want to become famous, but after actually filming, some came with real worries, listened to our advice, and even a real couple broke up. Because it is real, it is fun. I can no longer date, so I am also living vicariously through it. I was never a nice person to begin with. This is my first dating show, but maybe because I am older, I was at a point where I thought I should just speak comfortably and live as I am. Then I met this program, and I end up saying sharp things and even mean things to younger people. We are not experts, so there is no real right answer. We are just saying whatever comes to mind."
Seo Jang-hoon said, "It is an honor to be working with Lee Hyori and Kim Hee-chul. I try to represent one side as much as possible, but my basic personality does not change, so I do end up getting angry sometimes. Because they are younger, I am trying even harder to show empathy and warmth. Since these are couples in romantic relationships, we can speak a little more comfortably, and I think it will give the people involved a chance to see themselves, hear our advice, reflect, and grow. I think viewers will feel the same emotions."
Kim Hee-chul joked, "I ended up reflecting on my own past. Watching how they fail to treat each other well made me wonder what kind of boyfriend I was to the women I dated. It became a kind of mirror therapy. I am supposed to be the one giving advice, but while watching, I reflect on myself and learn what not to do if I ever date again in the future."
Asked about joining "Love War" after leaving "Knowing Bros" because of scheduling issues, he replied, "'Knowing Bros' is also a precious program to me. But at some point, I felt that my own image was no longer professional. Fortunately, 'Knowing Bros' has received a lot of support, and Kim Shin-young is doing a great job."
On their chemistry, Lee Hyori said, "I liked Seo Jang-hoon, but we had never done a program together, and I was worried because I am the strong type. But when I actually met him, he was unexpectedly gentle. He listened to me better than I expected, and when I said something, he would back down. I thought our chemistry was good. If it had just been Seo Jang-hoon and me, it might have felt a little awkward, but Kim Hee-chul blends us together well and makes it fun." Seo Jang-hoon said, "It is not easy for just anyone to talk like this, but she is refreshing, honest, funny, and shows so many sides that I was surprised too." Kim Hee-chul praised them as well, saying, "Seo Jang-hoon called me and asked me to do a program with him. I really like Seo Jang-hoon, and who does not like Fin.K.L's Lee Hyori? So I said yes. I knew Seo Jang-hoon was a national-level center, but Lee Hyori was really Lee Hyori. She is so bold, with no concern for managing a celebrity image."
"Love War" will premiere at 8:50 p.m. on the 23rd.
Baek Ji-eun, silk781220@sportschosun.com
