'Three Meals in Kenya' Director Na Young-seok Challenges Globalization of 'Korean Variety' on Netflix

Director Na Young-seok attempts to expand the global reach of Korean-style variety shows through Netflix. At the production presentation of the Netflix original variety show 〈Three Meals in Kenya〉 held on the 25th at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul, he shared his feelings about presenting his variety show to Netflix for the first time.

Director Na explained the production background, saying, "I wanted to ask the domestic fans who enjoy familiar content for a warm reunion, and to the global audience, what they think of 'Korean style' variety shows."

〈Three Meals in Kenya〉 is a travel variety show featuring comedian Lee Soo-geun and singers Eun Ji-won and Kyuhyun as they embark on a journey in Kenya, Africa. It is a spin-off project planned based on Kyuhyun's acquisition of a 'Kenya Giraffe Hotel accommodation voucher' during the 2019 tvN 〈New Journey to the West 7〉, and it has finally come to fruition after six years.

Lee Soo-geun shared his filming experience, saying, "Unlike the trip to Iceland, every day in Kenya was so enjoyable that it will be remembered."

Regarding the fact that Director Kim Tae-ho's variety show 〈Earth Monopoly〉 had already visited the Kenya Giraffe Hotel and safari during the production period, Director Na expressed confidence, saying, "Even at the same location, we can show our differentiated approach."

This work is noteworthy as it marks the first collaboration between Egg is Coming, a production company under CJ ENM, and Netflix. Egg is Coming, founded by Na Young-seok, Lee Woo-jung, and Shin Won-ho, is co-directed by Na Young-seok, who produced shows like 〈1 Night 2 Days〉, 〈Flower Boy Series〉, and 〈New Journey to the West〉, along with PD Kim Ye-seul from 〈Channel 15ya〉.

Director Na compared the Netflix platform to "the best department store in our country," saying, "it is a place where the best products of various kinds, not only movies and dramas but also variety shows, are gathered." He continued, "When you go to a department store, there are new stores, but there are also old stores that you can't forget the taste of and keep coming back to. We think we are one of those long-standing good stores."

PD Kim also expressed, "It was a great honor to collaborate with Netflix, and I had high expectations," adding, "I thought it would be good to show the field that Egg is Coming does best on a new platform."

The cast expressed both pressure and excitement about their debut on Netflix. Eun Ji-won laughed and said, "It was something that happened without the three of us knowing, but now that we are working with Netflix, I suddenly feel a heavy burden on my shoulders." Kyuhyun added, "As someone with experience in Netflix variety shows, I think there's also fun in hearing the dubbing in various languages on Netflix," and "I'm curious how our wordplay will be translated into different languages."

Director Na expressed his hope for more collaboration opportunities with Netflix starting from this project. He stated, "This work is not a big production but a short form, yet now that we have come this far, I am getting greedy," and "If the ratings are good, I would go anywhere, whether it be on a cruise or Antarctica," expressing his intention for a seasonal production.

He also reminisced about the late actor Lee Soon-jae, who worked with him on 'Flower Boy Grandpas' from 2013 to 2018, saying, "He often said he wanted to be on stage until the end," conveying his condolences.

Director Na Young-seok shared, "I couldn't see the teacher for the past year due to his poor health, and I was surprised to hear the sudden news," and added, "The story he shared most during his travels and in private was that he wanted to be on stage until the end. I pray that he can rest comfortably in heaven now."