What better way to spend your weekends than binge-watch some of the best and entertaining Korean shows only on Netflix? In case you missed it, the ever popular streaming platform premiered the first two episodes of its latest original K-variety show, titled “New World” (신세계로부터) just yesterday (Saturday, 20th November).
In this reality show, six celebs strategise and sabotage each other in order to earn virtual currency that they can cash in on the final day of their stay on a utopian island. Fans can expect the many sides of variety show veterans – Lee Seung Gi and Eun Ji Won, Kim Hee Chul from Super Junior, Jo Bo Ah, Park Na Rae, and EXO’s Kai – as they fiercely compete in missions that put their friendships to the test.
For those interested, let’s check out some of the things fans need to know about the reality show:
1. What fans need to know about “New World”?
The cast members will live in a virtual island called “New World” for 6 days. All of them will live in their own dream house that they’ve always fantasised about. Additionally, everyone will have their own Newtopia 1.0, a device that can only be used in New World. Aside from that, the monetary unit in New World is “nyang,” and the price of goods is very different from the real world.
“So the ‘new world’ is like a dream-come-true utopia for everyone, and we get to live there for 6 days. There is virtual currency and we play many games there, which are impossible in reality. I just want to emphasise that this is the first of its kind as an entertainment program,” Lee Seung Gi said during the global press conference held earlier on Wednesday (17th November).
2. This is Lee Seung Gi & Eun Ji Won’s first project together in a long time
For those unaware, the two famous stars previously worked together in the show “2 Days & 1 Night”. “I really enjoyed it. Working with Ji Won always makes me feel at ease because someone always has to play the villain,” the singer-actor commented on working again with the Sechs Kies member.
He added, “If I do something bad in front of him, there’s no pressure because I know he’ll do something worse. I trust him like that. I trust that he’ll be the best at betraying someone. This is a big kind of trust. I always depend on him to lie. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone pull off this kind of character better than Ji Won.”
Likewise, Ji Won remarked, “I really liked working with Seung Gi. I thought that he would always take my side when we play games on this kind of program, but he was ruthless.” MC Park Kyung Lim then chimed in by saying that Seung Gi has grown a lot, to which the 43-year-old quipped, “No joke. He showed no mercy (in the show).”
3. Kai says he learns a lot about betrayal in “New World”
“I felt something that I’ve never felt before. I knew that I would have fun, and felt like I could show people a different side of myself through the show,” the idol commented on his participation in the show. “There were moments when I would think to myself, ‘I didn’t know if I have this in me’. It was a very refreshing and fun experience.”
He also talked about the lessons he managed to take away after wrapping up filming for the programme. “I learned a lot about life and about betrayal… like how trust is always followed by a huge risk. Particularly from (Lee) Seung Gi, I learned a lot about how reality shows work” the “Mmmh” singer was quoted as saying.
4. Park Na Rae & Jo Bo Ah dish on the close bond between the cast
Park Na Rae shared, “Due to the situation right now, it’s hard to travel or gather as a group. I really enjoyed being together on this island with each of our houses. I loved that it felt like we had gone back to normal in this dream-like location. Also, there was no resting time, and we weren’t with our managers.”
The award-winning comedienne added, “We were really just with each other for 24 hours for six days. We were able to have heart-to-heart conversations. We talked about our worries and concerns. It was truly a time of healing for me. I enjoyed my stay a lot.” Echoing Park Na Rae’s sentiment, Bo Ah also revealed that she really enjoyed the chemistry between the six members.
5. Kim Hee Chul rocked the green tracksuit outfit before “Squid Game” became a worldwide phenomenon
According to Lee Seung Gi, “What was really surprising was that Hee Chul was wearing a green tracksuit even before Squid Game aired!” The “Sorry Sorry” hit-maker then jokingly remarked, “Please write lots of articles on that, linking me with ‘Squid Game’.”
“I really enjoyed watching ‘Squid Game’. I watched it after I subscribed to Netflix because of ‘New World’, and it was quite an experience. At that time, my hair style and my outfits were very similar to Heo Sung Tae, please don’t forget to write an article about this,” the “Sorry Sorry” hit-maker said.
“He’s very equipped to participate in Squid Game, in every aspect,” Lee Seung Gi chimed in, to which Hee Chul commented, “I really might have to go on ‘Squid Game’!” The “My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho” actor also stated that “New World” is like the entertainment version of the popular Netflix show.
6. What makes the show different from other Korean variety programmes?
Lee Seung Gi revealed, “The biggest difference is that we incorporated some issues that are actually ongoing in our society today. For example, a lot of people are interested in investment and land. These are manifested through the games.”
The 34-year-old continued by saying, “I didn’t know if bringing real life problems to the games would be possible, but it was. It made the games more immersive and detailed, and I think that’s what pulled the members deeper into the games than other TV entertainment shows.”
Feel free to watch the full trailer of Netflix’s “New World” here:
Catch new episodes of “New World” every Saturday exclusively on Netflix.
Images courtesy of Netflix.
