Every part of the world has its own unique identity. Cultures, languages, and preferences vary by location, which makes it difficult for one to become familiar with the numerous regions. tvN’s Hometown Flex portrays and shares the distinct provincial characteristics that are embedded into the diverse cities of the week. 

Welcome the Cast

This local variety show houses two extremely popular celebrities as the main hosts: Lee Seunggi and Cha Taehyun.

Lee Seunggi is one of the nation’s most loved stars of all times. From his debut as a singer in 2004, he left a memorable legacy in the history of K-Pop, rising to become an artist of inspiration for many younger generations. Lee Seunggi then joined the acting industry, soon peaking in the new area of entertainment. Starring in multiple hit dramas such as My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (gumiho is a legendary nine-tailed fox), A Korean Odyssey, The King 2 Hearts, and Vagabond, he continued to impress the public with his versatility in portraying a variety of characters. The final step in Lee Seunggi’s ultimate peak in fame was his continuous appearance on variety shows. He served as a cast member of the original 1 Night 2 Days series, co-hosted with Kang Hodong in Strong Heart (강심장), and more; currently, he’s actively promoting with the Master in the House team as well as Hometown Flex. 

(Quick side note: If you’re a fan, make sure to be on the lookout for the upcoming audition program Sing Again––and of course your main host, Lee Seunggi.)

An extremely popular actor, Cha Taehyun is also recognized for his versatile charms, exceptional singing skills, and friendly demeanor. His career filmography includes a number of recognized films such as My Sassy Girl (엽기적인 그녀), Highway Star (복면 달호), Scandal Makers (과속 스캔들), and Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (신과함께: 죄와 벌). All of these movies have created an immense domestic boom; even a simple mention of these films brings back people’s memories from those days, recalling his roles in the movies. The success in his acting career has undeniably created an upward curve in his life which was only furthered by his official appearance in the entertainment industry. After Lee Seunggi’s departure from 1 Night 2 Days, Cha Taehyun joined for the next two consecutive seasons; his participation in the show helped him gain a positive and friendly image, which became a trait that attracted fans of all ages. The actor’s recent promotions in dramas have paused his career in variety shows, but thankfully, Hometown Flex provided a path for his return.

Aside from the fact that these two celebrities are talented in many aspects, they have one more fact in common: they are Seoul natives. Both Lee Seunggi and Cha Taehyun have lived in Seoul for nearly their entire lives, which completely diminished the opportunities for the hosts to explore other cities thoroughly. 

What Hometown Flex Wants to Show

Each week, Hometown Flex dedicates itself to focusing on one location and aims to show off the regional differences of Korea through a tour of the city chosen for the week. And of course, this local variety show encompasses entertainment elements as well. Oftentimes, games are played to determine the winners who will eat lunch which usually turns out to be a regional-exclusive or regional-representative menu.

The two Seoul star hosts interact with guest celebrities who originated from the city. Rather than introducing the cast to the Instagram-famous restaurants or cafes, the celebrities who are locals in the area share their personal memories of their hometowns and introduce meaningful locations. They literally “flex” about their hometowns as much as they want, and it’s definitely possible to see several unacquainted celebrities bond together on the show over the commonality of their hometowns. They start from the basics such as emphasizing and/or clarifying certain ways of expression and speech, building a solid foundation for smooth communication in preparation for human interactions. Some guest celebrities who have also unfortunately lacked the time to visit their hometowns or connect with precious figures from their past are often surprised with the show’s special surprise event featuring a reunion with friends and acquaintances.

With guidance from the guests who have extensive local experience and knowledge, the crew bonds together as they feel a stronger connection in a comfortable and familiar environment. As a result, Lee Seunggi and Cha Taehyun undergo an immeasurable experience of getting to know their country better. Spending time learning and getting to know the guests’ hometown, the emcees eventually break the wall of unfamiliarity by discovering new facts and information from the tour.

Hometown Flex serves as an introductory course of a short overview of the basic etiquettes, places of interest, and prominent traits of certain provinces in Korea. This media-formatted approach of exploring an area in depth allows the international viewers to gain an insight into the dynamic cultures of different Korean regions as well as provides a window of communication among the domestic audience. Join the hosts on a virtual journey through the varying provinces of Korea and find out the unique and wonderful characteristics of the locations for yourself.