excerpts from an interview with the <mapo hipster> pd

Q. Min Ho and P.O were more sincere about the role-play scenarios than anyone expected. Did you anticipate that they’d pull it off this well?

A. We expected it, but we didn’t know they would be this good at it They’re good at this sort of stuff, so when we were planning this we had a feeling that they would joke around and have fun executing the TPOs that we gave. We set everything up but we didn’t expect them to liven it up like that. They kept telling us that they also thought they got pretty lucky, too. Like Min Ho acting as though he was a guest at a wedding, for example. The production didn’t tell him to do it, he got caught up in the moment and carried it out on his own. It was to the point where Na Young Seok PD told them, “We’re a fashion program. Why are you paying more attention to the role-play scenarios?” Min Ho and P.O did so well that the production team was able to see a big benefit. I remember that a lot of the comments said something like, “Now that the older members aren’t here, they’ve loosened up their reins.” It’s not easy to be funny on <New Journey To The West> because of entertaining and funny Kang Ho Dong, Lee Soo Geun, and Eun Ji Won can be. But Min Ho and P.O have their own energy, so they’re not the type to be quiet or discouraged around the older members. I think since this was a program just for the two of them, they were able to be all the more active and energetic.

 

Q. It was fun to watch how completely different Song Min Ho and P.O's fashion styles were, despite having been friends for ten years. As someone who looked on by their side, how would you say these two individuals' styles differed?

A. For Min Ho, I think it may seem like his style is a bit too much sometimes, but when he wears the clothes, it doesn't look that way at all, and it actually looks cool. P.O's style may seem simple but it's very sensible. Actually, on a normal, day-to-day basis Min Ho enjoys wearing clean and simple styles like a plain black coat. But I think when it comes to broadcast appearances or being on stage, he likes to opt for something more grandiose and decorated. He actually told us that he wondered if he had to dress himself up more after we started labeling and calling him a 'maximalist' on the show. I've known and worked with Min Ho since <New Journey To The West 3>, and I think the nickname 'Human Digestive' is fitting considering how well he's able to pull off different looks and pieces. I also think it's incredible that he walked for Louis Vuitton.

 

Q. Did you anticipate Song Min Ho’s win?

A. No one did. I mean, no one could guess whether P.O would win, or if MinHo would. The last battle was a close game and it ended at 52-48. But P.O's satisfied that he won the title of 'First Fashionista'. It seemed like that title held the same amount of weight as ‘the biggest’, or ‘Super Saiyan’. Min Ho was pretty regretful that he couldn’t get the ‘First Fashionista’ title, too. These two really put their pride on the line in the battles. In a way, I think they both peacefully took their own shares. It unintentionally ended very well. 

 

Q. When was the most memorable shoot with the best atmosphere? 

A. It was when Han Hye Yeon came to give Na Young Seok PD a makeover. We had planned it out without Na PD knowing. He describes his personal style as ‘norm-core’, but I don’t really know what he’s talking about. I just really wanted to try to help give him a makeover. I thought it would’ve been more meaningful doing it with him than with a random model, and that it could also help more people find an interest in fashion. Actually, Min Ho and P.O suggested the ‘Na PD makeover’ idea too during one of our preliminary meetings, but Na PD said he didn’t want to, and Han Hye Yeon ended up being the one that pushed for it on set. He finally agreed after multiple attempts of persuasion. There was also an episode where Min Ho and P.O style Han Hye Yeon, and she was actually very surprised. It might not be easy for a guy to pick out clothes for a girl, but Ms. Han complimented Min Ho and P.O for their extraordinary sensibility and taste. After we finished shooting she ended up buying a couple of the clothes for herself.

 

Q. Then, which episode was the most difficult to prepare for?

A. The first day of shooting was the most difficult. We weren’t completely ready, and Min Ho’s closet was pretty cramped, so it was difficult for many staff members to go in. But it was a relief that, once we finished shooting, the final product turned out to be fun. We were also surprised at how different these two individuals’ closets were, too. It was actually pretty fascinating how different they were. They may both be friends, but they have their differences. I think they live naturally according to their own style. 

 

Q. The ‘Introducing My Fashion Friends’ episode with Lee Soo Geun, Kyu Hyun, WINNER’s Kang Seung Yoon, WINNER’s Lee Seung Hoon, Zico, Code Kunst, etc. was popular too. 

A. Min Ho and P.O casted them on the spot without any previous arrangements. From production’s point of view, it was really something to be thankful for. Even if they’re your personal friends, it’s not easy to suddenly bring everyone together at one place like that. It could’ve been an overbearing request but they went along with it, and we’re grateful. And I want to say thank you once again to the guests who came onto the show with ease. As someone who likes clothes, it could’ve felt pressuring and uncomfortable to get voted based on your outfit under vague circumstances, so I’m really grateful that they agreed to partake in it. Soo Geun was actually in the middle of eating his ramyun when he ran over. The call was totally unexpected, and yet he fully dressed up and ran over. I got to realize all over again that he was truly a professional variety star. The guests on set all burst into laughter when he showed up.

 

Q. Many viewers are anticipating a second season. Will it be worth looking forward to?

A. There’s nothing formally planned. As I briefly mentioned, we thought for a moment that maybe we can broaden our boundaries with ‘Seoul Hipsters’ rather than ‘Mapo Hipsters’, but there’s nothing planned. Maybe we can do something later down the line, when the timing is right.

 

Q. Is there anything that you’d like to say to Song Min Ho and P.O that you couldn’t before?

A. I mean, that ‘cool’ badge ultimately doesn’t mean much, you know.. So I’m very thankful to the two of them for immersing themselves into the situations and for working so hard. They really are kind, pure kids. Watching the episodes you may wonder why they go that far to earnestly play out the imaginary situations, but on set, that ended up being a point of humor. And I think the viewers actually thought it was cute, too. In a way, revealing your clothes and your styling skills is like showing your bare face. So I thank these two for agreeing to this so easily, as well as the stylists and management who participated. I also appreciate their efforts despite the difficult, abnormal shooting times, as we had to work around after-hours of clothing stores and such due to circumstances brought on by COVID-19.