Actor Kim Ji-seok, left, and comedian Kim Shin-Young host Channel S' new travel show, "Map to Go Again" (direct translation). Courtesy of Channel S |
By Lee Gyu-lee
Actor Kim Ji-seok and comedian Kim Shin-Young are hosting local network Channel S' new travel show, "Map to Go Again" (direct translation), which takes the viewers on a virtual trip around the world.
The new show, led by the production team of KBS' popular traveling show, "Battle Trip," will feature various YouTubers, including those living abroad and those who specialize in traveling to different countries, sharing videos of their recent travels and their experiences.
"This show will allow you to travel around the world from your bedroom. This is a new type of a show that is perfect for the coronavirus era," the show's producer, Kim Soo-hyun, said during the press conference for the show, Thursday. "The 'Battle Trip' production team has established know-how through the four years of its production. So we have a deep understanding of the viewers' curiosity and needs."
The producer noted that the videos shot by actual travelers and YouTubers will offer realistic, up-close experiences of traveling.
"After we decided on the countries that we want to cover for the show, we tried to scout a perfect fit (to feature in our show) in that country. We found YouTubers who reside in that country and chose the ones who can provide us quality footage," he said.
"(The footage) is beyond our expectations. They did a really good job capturing the travels. Since the YouTube creators shoot from first-person perspectives of their experiences, the videos offer realistic and direct experiences."
The show's hosts, Kim Ji-seok and Kim Shin-Young, shared that the show will provide information on the hidden spots of each country that are not familiar to travelers.
"I'm usually curious about the good local restaurants and in the show, the locals introduce their personal choices," Kim Shin-young said. "The most unique thing about this show is that it shows honest reactions from travelers and lesser-known restaurants that only a local would know."
Kim Ji-seok said that he learned a lot of new traveling spots through the show.
"There's a difference between traveling to a city before and after the coronavirus pandemic. A lot has changed, and this show gives updated information (on each country)," he said. "And some of the YouTubers also share anthropological and historical context on the spots, while others share the real-time situation of that country."
Expressing that he has been longing to travel abroad throughout the pandemic, he added that he hopes this show will offer a sense of being refreshed to those viewers who have been feeling stuck in Korea.
The show premiered on March 17 and airs every Thursday at 8 p.m.