[Sportschosun reporter Jeong Bit] Kian84, who previously floated a house on the sea off Ulleungdo, is now opening an even more extraordinary lodging in midwinter Daegwallyeong Pass and beginning his second round of operations.
A press conference for Netflix's 'Kian's Bizarre B&B Season 2' (hereafter 'Kian's B&B 2') was held on the 22nd at Hotel Naru Seoul - MGallery Collection in Mapo District, Seoul. Producers Lee So-min and Kim Jihyun, along with Kian84, Kim Yeon-koung and Lee Junho, attended the event. Kazuha met with reporters online because of LE SSERAFIM's tour.
'Kian's Bizarre B&B Season 2' is an extraordinary new-concept B&B variety show in which Kian84, Kim Yeon-koung, Lee Junho and Kazuha interact with guests at Kian's B&B in Daegwallyeong Pass, a place filled with Kian-style romance. While the first Kian's B&B floated on the sea off Ulleungdo, the second location was built deep in the mountains of Daegwallyeong Pass in the middle of winter. Viewers can expect an outlandish B&B brought to life by Kian84's imagination, which surpasses that of the first location.
Producer Lee So-min said, "Season 1 was set in Ulleungdo in midsummer. We wondered what it would be like to go in the exact opposite direction with midwinter for Season 2. I'm sorry to Kian84, but he seemed like someone who would suit a brutally cold environment. As we considered where we could best showcase winter, we chose Daegwallyeong Pass. He created an even more extraordinary lodging."
She also emphasized safety concerns related to the midwinter setting in Daegwallyeong Pass. Producer Lee said, "There was so much heavy snow at one point that we found ourselves wishing it would stop. Fortunately, the lodging was safe, and I think it resulted in even more beautiful footage."
Producer Kim Jihyun explained, "Kian84 felt pressured, saying that the second location had to be more surprising and novel than the first. We considered lodgings that could fly through the sky or hang from trees, but they were difficult to realize in practice. That led to the Kian's B&B you see today. It's the biggest lodging in the world, and the closer you get, the more surprising and full of twists it becomes."
With experience running a B&B under his belt, Kian84 has become a more seasoned and thoughtful(?) owner who worries more deeply about his guests. The combination of this 'experienced owner' with Kim Yeon-koung and Lee Junho, the 'passionate new employees' who expertly help—and sometimes keep in line—the boss, raises expectations for the second Kian's B&B operation log.
Kian84 said, "I stayed in touch with the production team for about a year. I threw out around 10 ideas. Season 2 was difficult because the house in Season 1 was already so unusual. Since I couldn't come up with ideas, a member of the production team stayed by my side. Because we worked as if we were racing a deadline, I think we ended up with a house that was even more unusual than the one in Season 1." He expressed his satisfaction with the result.
He continued, "I wanted to create a fairytale-like world, but once we actually stayed there, there were many difficult aspects. It wasn't easy to live there, but the staff endured and kept working. I'm grateful that they quietly carried on until the very end."
He also confessed, "I was having such a hard time that I wanted to cry. In the beginning, I was more worried than excited. One of the guests even asked me, 'Why do you look so gloomy?' I was worried about complaints, and I also wondered whether it would be entertaining when it aired."
Regarding why she joined Season 2, Kim Yeon-koung said, "I really enjoyed Season 1. When I was invited to Season 2, I thought it would be fun to stay with the guests because I'm used to communal living. I was also curious about what kind of inventive house our boss would create for Season 2. I thought it would become a wonderful memory for me as well, so I decided to join."
Speaking about the fact that it is the biggest lodging, she offered a hint: "Because I'm tall, I thought it would be a convenient house for me. But when I actually got there, it was uncomfortable for me too."
Lee Junho said, "While watching Season 1, I found Kian84's imagination and innocence very appealing. When I was invited to Season 2, I thought, 'I can become part of Kian84's universe.' I was excited to see what kind of terrifying house would appear. I like taking on challenges, and since I usually focus on filming projects, I thought I could find a new source of excitement."
He added, "I experienced healing and torment at the same time. It's a place you could never experience unless it were Kian84's Kian's B&B. I can confidently say that viewers will feel the same joy I did."
Kazuha said, "After watching Season 1, I was impressed by how the guests created a kind of romance that is difficult to experience in everyday life. I was excited to experience it for myself. I also wondered how unconventional it would be. Since it was my first time running a B&B, there were many things I was inexperienced at, but it became a precious memory because I thought it would give the guests good memories."
The producers also praised the chemistry among the staff. Producer Kim said, "When you see the boss and Yeon-koung bickering, they sometimes look like a long-married couple. Yeon-koung was in charge of keeping Kian84 in line. She handled the boss's hygiene, checking whether he had showered, brushed his teeth and changed his underwear." She added with a laugh, "The four of them have four distinct personalities and genuine chemistry."
Kian84 said, "I wondered whether I could adapt to the new employees. After about four days, we found our rhythm. We also bumped heads. In a way, those moments brought me closer to the staff. Yeon-koung definitely led all of us when it came to chemistry. I've never seen anyone handle communal living so well. I did my best under Yeon-koung's guidance."
He continued, praising Kim Yeon-koung, "I had misunderstood her, but she also has a girlish side. I ended up relying on her the most."
Kim Yeon-koung responded jokingly, "I don't think that came from the heart. I think you just made that up," but then laughed and added, "The fact that we can make eye contact may mean we've become more comfortable with each other." She also shared an anecdote: "When I saw boss Kian84 get into bed while he was still sweating heavily, I thought, 'What is he doing?' He really changed my standards a lot."
Guests with a wide range of stories will visit the B&B this time as well. Lee Junho nodded and said, "They all came with completely different stories. They also had different occupations, so our conversations were varied. I don't think I would have had the chance to meet people like them anywhere else. The scenery was beautiful too, and I felt that the visitors would take home many wonderful memories."
There will also be a special guest. Producer Lee revealed, "Many people may have noticed, but Dex, who is part of Kian84's circle, will appear as a surprise part-time worker. He comes to Daegwallyeong Pass as soon as he finishes filming overseas. The guests were very happy to see him."
The cast members were also asked which location they would choose if they had to pay to stay as guests: the Season 1 lodging in Ulleungdo or the Season 2 lodging in Daegwallyeong Pass. Kian84, who experienced both locations as the owner, replied, "Ulleungdo would be nice in summer, but if I had to choose one, Daegwallyeong Pass is better. The service is much more generous. There are private rooms and even a sauna. In terms of star rating, it has moved up to about two stars. Season 1 was basically an endurance-training exercise. If I were going as a guest, I'd choose Daegwallyeong Pass."
Kim Yeon-koung hesitated, saying, "If I had to pay, I don't know if I would," then added, "There are definitely dreams and hopes. You can have a different experience from an ordinary lodging facility. But if I had to pay for it, I'm not sure," prompting laughter.
Lee Junho said, "I'd go to the Season 2 lodging for a free one-night stay," adding, "It's worth experiencing even though you couldn't buy it with money. If I absolutely had to pay, I would rather stay for one night without paying. And if the 2PM members were the employees, I would definitely want to go as a guest."
The discussion also touched on 'Jaeseok's B&B Rules,' which shares the same B&B variety-show universe. Producer Lee explained, "If 'Jaeseok's B&B Rules' is like a school retreat during high school, Kian's B&B can be compared to a university orientation trip. When we wanted the owner's philosophy and personality to come through, Kian84's unique imagination became the show's distinguishing feature."
Expectations are also high for Season 3. Kian84 said, "I really wanted to build a house that could fly. Netflix is a company with substantial resources, so I think it might be possible there. If we went north, it could cause a huge uproar. Since that wasn't possible, we decided to give up on the idea. I also wanted to put wheels on it like Howl's Moving Castle, but that would violate road traffic laws. Season 2 is the compromise we reached, but I don't think Season 3 would be realistic."
Producer Kim said, "As this is Season 2, everything has grown bigger—the chaos, the lodging and the chemistry among the staff." Producer Lee added, "There is the Chuseok holiday period as well as the National Foundation Day holiday period, so please show us lots of love."
The Netflix original series 'Kian's Bizarre B&B Season 2' will be released at 5 p.m. on the 22nd.
Reporter Jeong Bit rightlight@sportschosun.com
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
