"'Round-the-Earth PD 'Pani Bottel' Couple Confession Caught Me Off Guard, Now Understand Why He Looks So Good" [One-on-One Interview]

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MBC's "Born to Travel 4" (hereinafter referred to as 'Travel Around the World 4'), Kim Ji-woo PD revealed the backstory of travel creator Pani Bottles' confession of love.

'Taegye Ilju 4' will conclude with its 9th episode airing on June 29. This journey, which followed the high-altitude trade route known as the Chama Godo from Nepal's Himalayas to China's Yunnan province, included Kikan 84, Pani Bottle, Lee Shi-yoon, and Deuk-se.

This season went beyond simple entertainment to leave a deep impression with a narrative of friendship, challenges, and survival intertwined. From Geon's experience as a sherpa, Dex's breakthrough in Gurkha training, PaniBottle's tenacious struggle with exhaustion, to Ishim's Dumb and Dumber moment. Their high-altitude journey was sometimes heart-wrenching and sometimes delightful, offering a powerful immersion that blurred the lines between 'documentary and entertainment.'

The chemistry between 'Ggbbasi-dek' and the death penalty was the strongest weapon in season 4. Beyond integrating the worldviews from seasons 1 to 3, the four of them became like family, crying and laughing together, reborn as brothers. Viewers experienced their bickering, realistic bromance, passionate diss battles, and even tearful farewells together. It was an emotional rollercoaster by itself.

This season has been at the center of attention from before the start to the final episode. From the first broadcast, it recorded the highest viewership ratings across the series, signaling a pleasant start, and continued to prove its box office prowess through integrated OTT and TV topics and high viewership rates in various aspects. After each broadcast, it heated up portals, communities, and SNS, further solidifying its position as a reliable variety show.

MBC's Kim Ji-woo PD pushed forward with the unprecedented concept of 'Unplanned On-site Engagement' for four seasons, drawing out the genuine emotions of people in unfamiliar worlds. Sometimes he watched the participants from afar, and at other times he was right in the middle of tearful and chaotic scenes. Through 'Taegeekilju' (Taikyukgilju), he completed a life documentary that transcends simple entertainment. Now, as he finishes another season with the completion of the Chama Gok trail, Kim Ji-woo PD shares the behind-the-scenes stories of 'Taegeekilju 4'.

Travel creator PaniBottil publicly shared her feelings about her new relationship.

Here is the full transcript of the one-on-one interview to commemorate the finale of PD Kim Ji-woo's 'Taegeuk Ilju 4'.

1. Overall evaluation as the director of Season 4.

This journey seems to be more about the 'fun of hard work' than ever before. The four brothers I met in Nepal showed me the raw, tough life from the challenging Himalayan Sherpa village to the Gurkha school and the Naxi village along the rugged 'Chamagodu' route. It seems that this tough experience has turned into fun filled with adventure, romance, and friendship.

What was the reason for choosing 'Chamagodo' as a travel destination?

'The Chama Gado' is one of the world's oldest trade routes and a place where you can catch a glimpse of the primitive life of people who have lived in the harsh high mountainous areas for thousands of years. Following the motto of our series, 'Travel to places you want to visit before you die,' I thought this place, which is not easily accessible and therefore even more special, would spark the curiosity of the four brothers.

3. What is the reason for choosing 'mountain' as the theme this time? [c.f. 'grass (Amazon)', 'fire (India)', 'water (Madagascar)']

Although I visited highlands in the previous season, I have never focused on 'mountains' as a subject. I have always wanted to include the story of those who make a living on mountains in the 'Circle of Life.' This season allowed me to finally present the magnificent nature and culture of the Himalayas and the Changpa Plateau to our viewers.

4. How do you think the chemistry among the 'Kkabbsidek' members has changed in this season?

It was a season where the members became even closer than in any previous season. While the previous seasons were about getting to know each other and becoming friends, this season seemed to be about showing 'real chemistry' as 'brothers in the same cell' who, despite the difficult circumstances, shared both tears and laughter, becoming a real family.

5. What was the most impressive moment for you as a director?

The dawn 'dokorun' training at the Nepal Gurkha Training Center is what I remember most. It was an extreme training where we had to run with a 15kg bag on our heads. Despite the consecutive forced marches that should have exhausted everyone, no one complained and we encouraged each other until finally all of us completed it. At that moment, I felt a touching emotion thinking, 'We actually did it together after all.'

6. How did you handle unexpected emergencies?

The charm of travel must lie in the unpredictable situations, don't you think? At the beginning of the trip, when PaniBot was struggling with poor condition, everyone on the production crew was worried and closely monitoring the situation. But fortunately, PaniBot recovered quickly and once again became the pillar who takes care of the other members as 'DunDunBot', which was very grateful.

On the other hand, the 'confession of being in a relationship' was also something that the production team had not anticipated at all. The honest and confident admission was impressive, similar to the 'manly man.' Moreover, I was curious about the reason for looking much better recently, and it seems pleasantly resolved.

7. What was the hardest moment for you during the production process this season?

The first journey to the Sherpa village in the Himalayas was the most difficult. As the starting point of the Everest trekking course, it is notorious even within the Himalayas for being one of the most rugged areas, so all the production crew climbed the mountain with inner screams. Especially for the camera director who always had to carry heavy equipment, although they had traveled around the world together, this season was particularly tough, almost leading to exhaustion, and some even had to go to the hospital to get painless injections.

The situation became even worse with the added variable of worsening weather conditions. The weather was not good, so we had to move by helicopter, but there were instances where the helicopter couldn't even take off properly. Some of the helicopters and planes that were supposed to go to Lukla village were canceled, causing part of the production team to be unable to join, and we had to shoot with an even smaller number of production staff.

Which scene from "Adaptation" by Gyeondai 84 is most memorable to you?

Even though this season, I carried a load on my head for 3 out of 5 days in Nepal, I never complained and enjoyed it. When I saw my local friend who has to make this their daily routine worrying about me, I realized how remarkable their adaptability is.

Listening to a local boatman who said that the Ganges is a motherly and sacred river and that there is a ritual to bless this place, the entire production team watching from afar was shocked when they hesitated not to drink the water of the Ganges together.

In addition, in Madagascar, Gyan84 showed a food streaming where he sliced fish covered in sand with his bare hands and ate it with plenty of soy sauce. The moment when the locals who were present stuck out their tongues in amazement and admiration seemed to demonstrate Gyan84's adaptability, showing that he was 'more local than the locals.'

What preparations and considerations did you make for minority access this season?

In the case of 'Chamgagodo', it seems that we were able to see the lives of the people living there through a famous documentary with the same name. 'Taegayijihwa' is a travel variety show, but it appears to refer to many documentaries because it makes an effort to deeply capture the lives of the people living in that region.

10. It received good responses with balanced ratings and topics of discussion. What do you think the reason is?

We were surprised by the many positive reactions saying this season was particularly enjoyable. In fact, we are currently in the fifth season, including the spin-off, and it's heartening and gratifying to hear that the fifth season is the most fun. The chemistry among the four of them has never been better, and watching the honest and relaxed emotions they share with each other makes me feel like I want to travel with them. Additionally, it seems people are touched and like Grant (Kiln 84) for his genuine interactions with locals and his unbiased acceptance of their culture.

11. When do you think was the moment with the most enthusiastic viewer response?

The episode where we first met the Sherpa boy in the Himalayas and the performance of the death row inmate at the Gurkha training camp seemed to receive the most attention. Everyone found it harder than expected and it was a tough time, but it seems that everyone ended up liking it much more than anticipated.

12. There was a message from Dong84 about 'the last journey,' so is it true that the possibility of season 5 is completely closed?

I am well aware of the viewers' wishes for the next season. However, there are currently no new plans in the works, so I'm also disappointed. But as Mr. Shin said, "END is not AND," so if we wait a little longer, there might be an opportunity to meet the viewers in some form.