Annyeong..
I’m sorry for not updating for several days. I promised
myself to update everyday since I’m holidaying right now, but then I broke my
own promise *hides inside blanket*.
So, first thing I want to review is the cause (?) of my disappearance.
I told you guys that I am really into Korean variety shows, right? Actually the
only variety show that I do watch and follow right now is Running Man, and
while searching for the latest episodes of Running Man, I stumbled upon the
latest variety show of Kang Hodong, Barefoot Friends.
Kang Hodong is dubbed as one of Korean’s National MC (the
other one is Yoo Jaesuk of Running Man) and he left the entertainment industry
after a certain case (Google it if you’re interested). Now, he came back to the
industry, ready to rock the entertainment industry once more. In my opinion, I
prefer Yoo Jaesuk’s style compared to Kang Hodong, since Kang Hodong tends to
be so loud and he prefers body gags more than funny jokes. Don’t get me wrong.
I don’t mean that Kang Hodong is worse and that Yoo Jaesuk is more superior to
him. I’m just saying that I prefer Yoo Jaesuk’s style compared to Kang Hodong’s.
Barefoot Friends is a new variety show of SBS, and the
comeback variety show of Kang Hodong to the entertainment industry. The main
casts of Barefoot Friends are Kang Hodong, Yoon Jongshin, Kim Bumsoo, Yoo
Seyun, Kim Hyunjoong, Yoon Siyoon, Eunhyuk and Uee. From these casts, Kim
Bumsoo, Kim Hyunjoong, Yoon Siyoon and Uee are variety newbies (means that they
never been a permanent guests in a variety shows). The first few episodes show
the casts in foreign countries (Vietnam and Indonesia) where they have to work
among the locals for food and accommodation. Starting from episode 6, they changed
the format to overcome fear among the members and the first topic chosen is
diving (to overcome fear of water and fear of height).
Barefoot Friends members: (from upper left) Yoon Jongshin, Yoon Siyoon, Kang Hodong. Kim Bumsoo, Yoo Seyun, Uee, Eunhyuk, Kim Hyunjoong |
!!! FROM
THIS POINT ONWARDS IS THE OPINION OF MINE. YOU MAY AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH MY
OPINION, BUT KEEP IT CIVIL.. IT MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS AND SEVERAL BAD REMARKS.. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !!!
First of all, I read a lot of comments saying that this show
is boring, lacking its own colors as well as points, weak casts etc etc.. I
hate judging shows without actually watching it, so I did watch this show from
the first episode until now (the current latest episode is 15).
I think lacking own colors and points is actually a really
harsh word to describe Barefoot Friends. My opinion is they are still searching
for the right theme for the show. I remembered Running Man’s first episode is
to search for several codes in order to escape the locked shopping mall. After
several episodes, they changed it to several competitions to collect Running
Balls and using lottery machines to pick the losers (to suffer dire
consequences such as riding a subway without shower after the whole filming all
night). I think Running Man changed about 10 different formats before coming to
the current style. My point is, just give this show some time. (I remembered
Yoo Jaesuk said that Running Man suffers a lot during the first year and they
finally received a lot of love starting around Episode 50).
I don’t find any flaws regarding the casts. I’m really glad
that this show at least combined entertainers from comedians, idols, and actors.
It creates a balance team of face and entertaining. The only thing I dislike
(hate is a overly strong word) is I guess the production team is trying to create
a love line between Uee and Kim Hyunjoong, and since they both are variety
newbies, they don’t really know how to react to it. In 7 out of 10 bus rides,
Uee will be sitting next to Hyunjoong. She will be also stand beside Hyunjoong
in the opening.
It feels like the production team is FORCING a love line
since most variety shows will receive attention after a love line created
(Monday Couple in Running Man, Jongkook and Eunhye in X-Man, Fighting Couple in
Family Outing etc etc). For some reason, I remembered Yoona and Taecyeon in
Family Outing 2, since they are like, forced to do the love line.
I am a bit sad watching Kang Hodong in Barefoot Friends. My
first variety show with him is Star King. In Star King, although that he was
overly loud (he tends to raise his voice to emphasis something), I can feel his
passion, his confidence in his MC skills. I feel the same when he was in 2 Days
1 Night. His booming voice when screaming the shows name can make you feel that
this is a great show. However, I guess he lost his confidence after his hiatus.
He is still loud, but whenever someone teased him about his case (or his hiatus),
he fell silent and making a hurt face. I really hope that he regain his
confidence back and making a real comeback. Kang Hodong oppa, FIGHTING!!
Although I really like the diving episode, I hope that the
next episode will be on other topics. I think that 5 episodes (from Ep.10 to
Ep.15) are far too long for one sole topic. People will get bored from it
(except for me, since I like documentaries. I can watch Discovery Channel for
all day long).
My conclusion, this could be a great show. I hate people
comparing Barefoot Friends with Running Man, 2 Days 1 Night, Laws of the
Jungle, Dad Where You’re Going etc etc.. For me, as long as the show title is
not blablabla season 2, you can’t really compare them. Every show is different.
Instead of judging the show by reading other people comments, why not watch the
show by yourself? Who knows you might like it, despite the bad comments. Just
give them some time and love and this show will get better and better (I keep
my fingers crossed).
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