Whether it is taking a scenic coastal drive on a sunny day or taking a photo in front of the region’s renowned monument, everyone has a dream vacation at one point in time. Two unexpected personalities come together to explore a series of events in Netflix’s fresh release––The Hungry and the Hairy––while fulfilling their dream of traveling on motorbikes.

Celebrities Jung Jihoon, referred to as “the hungry,” and Ro Hongchul, who is referred to as “the hairy,” venture off to various cities in South Korea. From Jeju Island to Gochang, Busan Gangwon Province, Gyeongju, Namhae, back to Jeju Island, and finally wrapping up in Seoul, the two cast members spend time to slow down and indulge in their ideal voyage.

It’s Showtime––Intro to the Show

Prior to its official release, The Hungry and the Hairy produced mixed reactions among the public. Some were excited to see the adventures that the unanticipated pair would take, while others doubted the success of this show, believing that the format of the show was rather cliché and fearing the dissonance of the seemingly-incompatible co-stars on-screen. 

However, the feel-good show crushed most negative assumptions once released, garnering a moderate surge of favorable ratings and reviews. Alongside creators Chang Woosung and Lee Joowon, former MBC producing director Kim Taeho enlivened the journey of The Hungry and the Hairy. Incorporating his experience in the variety show world through his legendary hit program Infinite Challenge (which actually featured Ro Hongchul as a cast member from 2006 to 2014), Kim Taeho’s decision to cast the two friends on a food and travel show seems to be a good choice. 

A renowned versatile singer and actor, Jung Jihoon, who also goes by his artist name Rain, plays the role of “the hungry” one. Embracing the title as a foodie, the star reveals his genuine love and admiration for food, pouring in his heart and soul into every meal of the day. Through the show, Jung Jihoon introduces an array of restaurant recommendations to his partner Ro Hongchul as well as the viewers; from raw shrimp to Jeju Island’s traditional gogi-guksu (고기국수; meat noodles), the hungry one leads the way to present an immaculate flavor in every bite to his partner, the hairy one.

Earning his nickname as the hairy one due to his quite abundant facial hair, entertainer Ro Hongchul performs as Jung Jihoon’s one and only co-star on the show. Taking part in the short yet frequent trips to some of South Korea’s magnificent locations, Ro Hongchul joyfully accompanies his foodie partner as they ride through both nature and the city landscape. The entertainer’s presence undeniably brightens up the show’s mood; his uniquely comical personality is more than enough to create a surge of energy both on and off-screen. To point out a few, Ro Hongchul’s conscious actions of Netflix and his continuous public appeal to the platform through custom-made merch (bathrobe, chair, phone case, and more) may seem a bit exaggerated at times, but the sincerity behind such actions only intensify the entertaining elements of the show.

Insight on the Series

Personally, the concept of traveling to representative domestic cities on a motorbike makes the show seem more personable, drawing the audience into the intricate real-time journey of two friends. The beautiful views and local specialties are a feast for the eyes as the global Netflix audience can take in the wonderful sights of a foreign country, especially in this wearisome pandemic. However, I hoped to see a more diverse range of cities covered in this travel-style show rather than the big-name cities like Busan and Gyeongju; despite the marvelous meals and sights that The Hungry and the Hairy brought about, it would have been even better if smaller cities and their unique local specialties were introduced through the show.

Nevertheless, the editing, CG, and special effects incorporated throughout each episode were shocking (in a good way). Just by seeing the characters representing the hairy and the hungry, it seemed that the style was really catered to fully express the idiosyncratic talents. As much as both the cast and the production team ventured into a new territory of shows, the visual aspects such as huge words behind the subject and drawing comic-book-style speech balloons stood as a perfect representation of the party’s adventurous spirit. Overall, it was impressive to see how the Netflix platform provides a limitless boundary to the editing style as well as the content that can make it to the final draft of an episode. 

Coming back to the show in general, the close relationship between the two co-stars definitely amplifies the cast’s chemistry as the show captures memorable moments and conversations that the trip presented to the pair. Although I started this show with a lot of unanswered questions, the two friends’ similar yet distinctive characters were enough to answer my doubts. The overly-enthusiastic energy of both the hungry and the hairy diverging in their interests of food and public confession to Netflix eventually comes back together to their love for riding motorbikes. 

On the topic of motorbikes, the notion of briefly explaining the context of the popularity of different motorcycle models and riding the following model throughout a specific trip appealed to me as a fresh idea (and a great move). As a novice to the world of motor vehicles, the short introductions at the beginning of episodes on a new excursion strongly piqued my interest and knowledge. 

Furthermore, the occasional featuring of guests that one or both of the cast are close to stands as a wise decision on the production team’s side; it creates an ideal balance of pursuing the main personalities of the show while adding sprinkles of fresh vibes with the cameo appearances of fellow celebrities such as Lee Hyori, Lee Sangsoon, and Lee Hanee. Allowing the group of individuals to naturally interact while appreciating the beauty of their surroundings serves as a therapeutic moment for both the celebrities and the viewers. 

Make the best of this new year with a nice, relaxing, feel-good show. Wind down, open Netflix, and search The Hungry and the Hairy, the show that will captivate you with compelling stories and fresh fun.