Kakao Entertainment’s ‘Zombie Bus’ Challenges Scripted Reality Shows
By [Journalist’s Name]
Intriguing questions about the authenticity of reality shows arise as Netflix’s ‘Zombie Bus’ takes viewers on a unique adventure. Released on the 8th, the series features Noh Hong-cheol, Dex, Dindin, Park Na-rae, Lee Si-young, and Jonathan as they navigate their way through a city infested with a zombie virus. While the show claims to be a survival reality program, the meticulous setting, including an artificially created ‘infected’ Hongik University in Seoul, raises doubts about its authenticity. To add to the realism, the production utilizes top-notch zombie actors and impressive CGI effects. However, unlike conventional zombie dramas, ‘Zombie Bus’ offers a refreshingly unpredictable and open-ended narrative, blurring the line between a sitcom and a comedy conte.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with CP Park Jin-kyung at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss the show. Park emphasized that although the surroundings were only filled with zombies and quests for the performers, there were no predetermined decisions or scripted scenes. “Zombie Bus,” he described, “is an entirely new genre that utilizes zombies as material for a comedy variety show. I urge viewers to enjoy it with a light-hearted approach.”
The show quickly gained traction upon its release and claimed the top spot among domestic Netflix series. It further demonstrated its contemporary appeal by securing the 10th position for two consecutive days on FlixPatrol, a platform that aggregates global rankings. Reflecting on audience reviews, CP Park acknowledged the contrasting responses and stated, “As a creator, it’s disheartening to receive no feedback after a release, but I’m pleased with the intense response ‘Zombie Bus’ has generated. If there are aspects that seem contrived, we will learn from the audience’s reaction and strive to improve in future endeavors.”
One standout performer in the show is Dex, a YouTuber from the Navy’s Special Warfare Team (UDT), who adds his own unique elements. CP Park recollected a particularly thrilling moment when Dex impulsively plunged into icy waters while being pursued by zombies, describing it as “both embarrassing and exhilarating.”
[Journalist’s Name]
Park Jin-kyung CP (left) and Moon Sang-don PD of Kakao Entertainment, who designed and directed ‘Zombie Bus’. Netflix “Isn’t everything scripted?” Viewers who watched the entertainment series ‘Zombie Bus’, released on Netflix on the 8th, will have no choice but to think about these questions. Noh Hong-cheol, Dex, Dindin, Park Na-rae, Lee Si-young, and Jonathan appear in the show, claiming it’s a survival reality show, but the setting itself is that the zombie virus is spreading around the city center area. Hongik University in Seoul is artificial. Even high quality zombie actors and CG effects were mobilized. However, compared to current zombie dramas and movies, the flow of the drama and the process of reaching the end is much more open. It’s somewhere in the middle between a sitcom and a comedy conte.
CP Park Jin-kyung, who I met recently in a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, emphasized, “There was only an environment surrounded by zombies and quests for the performers, but there were no scenes where decisions were made or scripted.” survivors.” At the same time, he said, “It’s a completely new genre that has never existed before, called a comedy variety show that uses zombies as material,” and “please enjoy it with a light heart .”
Immediately after its release, ‘Zombieverse’ rose to No. 1 in domestic Netflix series, and proved its contemporaneity by climbing to No. 10 for two consecutive days on FlixPatrol, which aggregates global rankings. CP Park said, “I’m well aware that the audience reviews are completely contradictory,” and “As a creator, it’s sad if there’s no feedback after the release, but for this program, the feedback was more intense than expected, so I’m happy to receive it.” “However, if there are parts that feel contrived, you should learn from the audience’s reaction and try not to be like that next time.”
Among the performers, Dex, a YouTuber from the Navy’s Special Warfare Team (UDT), played an active role by creating his own variables. CP Park described the scene where Dex suddenly jumps into the cold sea while being chased by zombies as “an embarrassing and exciting moment.”
[정주원 기자]
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