Disney+’s new series In the Soop: Friendcation begins with a group of friends gathering to find out exactly what they’ve casually agreed to. The first episode, set in the HYBE offices in Seoul, introduces the characters and sets the tone for what promises to be an entertaining series. ..
The guys were excited to go on a vacation with Kim Taehyung, but they soon realized that it was not actually a free trip. They were teased and threatened by the other members of the group, but eventually agreed to do what Kim Taehyung said and focus on being friendly. ..
Park Seo-joon (Captain Marvel 2: The Marvels, Itaewon Class) – the father and emotional anchor Park Hyung-sik (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Suits, Juror 8) – the kind mom, a little softer than dad Choi Woo-shik (Parasite, Our Beloved Summer, Time to Hunt) – the trustworthy older son, leader of the kids Kwon Sung-hwan (rapper/singer/producer Peakboy known for Gin&Tonic and last summer’s Gyopo Hairstyle) – the wild youngest daughter, always pumped up Kim Taehyung (BTS’ V, and also appeared in Hwarang, BTS In The Soop) – the cute & mischievous youngest sibling
In the summer of 2013, a group of friends from college reunited in New York City. They had all moved away for different reasons, but they were all eager to catch up and reconnect. The group was made up of people from different backgrounds and experiences, but they all had one thing in common: They loved spending time together. The friends would go out to dinner, see a show, or just hang out at their apartments. They were always up for a fun night out and enjoyed making new friends. But things started to change in the fall of 2013. One by one, the friends started disappearing without explanation. Some say they left town for work or school; others say they simply disappeared overnight. No one knows what happened to these dear friends, but their disappearance has left a lasting impression on those who knew them best. ..
Hyung-sik and Woo-shik disclose they will be joining separately on the trip. They then get on with the fun part, choosing their activities, noting campfires, fishing and ice skating. And figuring out packing. The guys continue to tease Taehyung. ..
The team discusses how to write memos that are not likely to mention something that should not be mentioned. They end up having a meeting where Taehyung tries to force them into an all-hands-in ‘go team’ but they just sort of chuckle at his boy-scout habits. There is definitely an age gap here and maybe an industry gap as well.
There’s a little promo break where each guy is presumed a role in the family (as noted above) and we flash forward to some of the activities and compelling moments, much like what we’ve seen in the teasers.
They’re all in their early twenties, fresh out of college and eager to start their lives anew. But as they pile into an SUV and head to the courthouse, they can feel the weight of history on their shoulders. They know that this is their chance to make a difference.
Seo-joon and Taehyung chat casually about the weather, menus, music, etc. They share stories about their favorite dramas as kids and Seo-joon teases Taehyung for being younger than he is. It’s clear that they have a lot in common. ..
Trip master Taehyung has mapped out restaurants and they stop for makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) and suyuk (boiled pork belly) as they hit Gangwon-do. And it instantly becomes an eating show as the guys dig in to a number of delicacies. Then they spend a silly amount of time trying to identify the restaurant staff’s ring tone.
The guys continue on to their quite modern triangular holiday home and we get another view of Goseong in Winter. After a quick house tour and reveal of the welcome kits (including matching PJs), they take a nap.
Chef Seo-joon and his team of chefs will be cooking up a delicious steak dinner for you this evening. They wear their producer-provided matching ‘uniforms,’ writing nicknames on them like Clown, Giant and World Star – I’ll let you guess who’s who in this.
The next activity is a game where players flick stones at each other’s heads. Sung-hwan is good at it, and Taehyung tries to avoid getting hit. ..
Woo-shik is a Korean immigrant who has been living in the United States for over 20 years. He is known for his friendly personality and love of making snacks. When the doorbell rings, Woo-shik enters and the film ends. ..
The Episode Review
This reality TV show was not designed to be revealing or contentious. It seems more like an opportunistic opportunity, without a plan.
The main point of this article is that the cast of K-pop celebrities is engaging and fun to watch. The article goes on to say that it’s nice to see the real people behind characters like Lee Young-joon and Choi Woong.
The group of friends I mentioned earlier is a key part of my life. They are the people I rely on for support, advice, and company. There is a definite hierarchy here - it could be because of the respect they have for each other or because they all met through Seo-joon. Regardless, as the clear pillar, Seo-joon seems to set the tone and everyone just follows suit automatically.
BTS In the Soop is a very different show than the other K-pop shows. Even without an agenda, there’s some sort of tone. As in, we’re here to have fun and look like we’re having fun – see! There’s a specific energy with guys who are used to living on camera and pleasing their always-on audience. They do let loose, but always have their audience in mind.
This is a holiday, and the guys are all friends. They’re all open to suggestions, but they don’t have any specific plans. They just want to relax and have some fun. The gentle direction from Seo-joon seems to be, let’s just enjoy ourselves and not worry about anything in particular.
The first episode of “The Crown” was a bit of a mystery to some viewers, but it didn’t bother me. If you’re a fan of the show, it’s enjoyable to see behind the scenes. But for those who aren’t familiar with the characters or the story, there are no big revelations in this episode.
So far, the best moments of Seo-joon and Taehyung’s relationship have been their giant suitcase and Taehyung repeating everything the other guys say sotto voce. Sung-hwan has lost gracefully at games because he knows his mom will watch. And the set-up of the family roles – the one piece that looks semi-guided – has been a success.
The whole day goes by and they haven’t gone to the water yet. Maybe they’re saving it until they’re all together? We’ll find out next week.
In the Soop: Friendcation is a reality mini-series of five friends taking a trip together. Who’s your must-see celeb? Care to guess who “Clown” is? Scribble your thoughts below. ..
Disney+/HYBE offers coming this year Disney+/HYBE is a new streaming service that offers a variety of content, including BTS. This new service is available on Disney devices and through the Disney app. The service has a variety of channels, including ABC, ESPN, and Disney Channel. The service also has its own app for Android and iOS devices.
