Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Karina makes reality show debut with 'Agents of Mystery'
From left, cast members Lee Yong-jin, John Park, Lee Eun-ji, producer Jeong Jong-yeon, Lee Hye-ri, Karina and Kim Do-hoon pose during the press conference for Netflix's new variety show “Agents of Mystery" at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in western Seoul's Mapo District, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Lee Gyu-lee
Singer Karina of K-pop girl group aespa is taking a stab at a reality show for the first time in her four-year entertainment career with Netflix’s new mystery-based variety show “Agents of Mystery.”
The new original show, which hit the platform on Tuesday, invites six celebrities — comedians Lee Yong-jin and Lee Eun-ji, singers Karina, Lee Hye-ri and John Park and actor Kim Do-hoon — on an adventure through paranormal mysteries.
Brought to secret locations, the cast members must use teamwork and skills to complete their mission and solve the mystery within six hours.
The show is the latest project for popular producer Jeong Jong-yeon, who previously created hit reality shows like “The Genius,” “The Great Escape” and “The Devil’s Plan.”
Karina shared she feels lucky to join the producer’s new project, as she has been a fan of the mystery genre.
“The list of cast members I’ll be working with was great and I’ve been a fan of the producer. So when the opportunity came, I didn't hesitate to say yes,” she said during a press conference for the show at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador in western Seoul's Mapo District, Tuesday.
“I’ve always really loved mystery novels and animations, so being able to do a mystery-based show as my first variety show was such an honor.”
Netflix's new original reality show “Agents of Mystery" releases on Tuesday. Courtesy of Netflix
The singer hinted the show will give a glimpse of her off-stage personality.
“The image of me on the stage tends to be charismatic. But at home, I'm the youngest,” Karina said. “It’s not easy for my fans to see my everyday personality. But through this variety show, I wanted to show that side of me and also my chemistry with my older castmates.”
Lee Hye-ri also expressed she’s been a fan of producer Jeong’s previous works and was excited to join the show.
“I enjoy shows that involve mind games. I really liked 'The Genius' so much that I watched it multiple times. I also really love board games and escape rooms, which are my hobbies that energize me,” she said.
“So I didn’t hesitate (to join the cast) because I felt it would be like playing a large-scale escape room. And, with producer Jeong, I believed (the show) would be made like a fantasy movie. I wanted to experience being immersed in the situation, rather than just filming a variety show. So I decided to join."
A scene from the show “Agents of Mystery" / Courtesy of Netflix
Jeong said this show will focus more on paranormal mysteries than his previous stints.
“This is a mystery adventure show. One of the genres that I’ve worked hardest in is the adventure genre, in which the cast members go into a show we’ve designed without any directions and experience the adventure. From my previous experience, I’ve learned that (viewers) responded more to supernatural and horror themes. So, I decided to focus on those aspects for this program,” he explained.
"We put efforts to make sure that the cast members could fully immerse themselves (in given situations) to overtly convey their emotions that would entertain the viewers.”
Adding he paid close attention to details when making the show, the producer expressed hope to entertain global viewers with the show once again. His previous show "Devil's Plan" has managed to climb up to the third spot in the non-English category of the Netflix's global TOP 10 TV Shows six days after release.
“I did this genre with a confidence that it can deliver a range of emotions like joy, thrill and fear for viewers to experience. I put extra attention into the details,” Jeong said.
“I hope people around the world can have a taste of and enjoy this genre from Korean variety shows. I wish this can be the opportunity to expand the horizons of K-variety shows.”