TV producer Na Young-seok evolves into star creator, builds dedicated fanbase

Producer Na Young-seok / Courtesy of CJ ENM

Now in his 24th year in the industry, veteran entertainment TV showrunner Na Young-seok has officially joined the ranks of top creators. Following his win as best entertainer at the Baeksang Arts Awards, the successful launch of his "birthday cafe" event and sold-out fan meetings, Na is building a dedicated fanbase.

How can Na be best described today? He is not only one of the most successful entertainment TV producers but also a popular YouTuber and creator with a loyal fan base.

Traditionally, producers stay behind the camera, with their voices occasionally making it into the final cut. Even in one of his most famous shows, "2 Days & 1 Night," Na never edited out his own voice, knowing that the chemistry between cast members and the producer added a certain flavor to the show.

This approach carried over to other popular series like "Youth Over Flowers," "New Journey to the West," "Jinny's Kitchen" and "Earth Arcade."

Na's unique style — where he flusters his stars while also falling into their traps — has become a signature feature of his shows.

His ability to continue these series in multiple seasons, leveraging the popularity of his stars, is another defining feature. Though sometimes criticized for self-repetition, Na's success rate remains undeniable.

Recently, Na has stepped in front of the camera, creating an unexpected impact. Known for putting others in the spotlight, Na is now generating buzz with his own appearance before the camera.

His YouTube channel has seen a surge in viewership from younger audiences. Na appears to understand his own selling points well. At the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, he beat out stars like Yoo Jae-suk to win best male entertainer, supported by his 6 million followers.

In his acceptance speech, Na said, "I think I received this award because I'm the person standing between the camera and the actors, between the media and the viewers," highlighting the key to his appeal.

The poster for producer Na Young-seok's fan meeting / Courtesy of Egg Is Coming

Down-to-earth personality

In April, Na also took an unusual step by hosting a "birthday cafe" event, typically reserved for popular idols and actors.

His upcoming fan meeting is another notable achievement.

Scheduled for Oct. 5, the "Egg High School Class 4-9 — Na Young-seok's First Fan Meeting" sold out its initial 1,200 seats within a minute, prompting the addition of a second session on Oct. 6.

No other variety show producer has achieved such a feat, underscoring Na's growing influence.

According to the ticketing site Interpark Ticket, 21.8 percent of ticket buyers were men, and 78.2 percent were women.

The age demographics are also intriguing, with the largest group being individuals in their 20s (50 percent), followed by those in their 30s (25.3 percent), 40s (9.2 percent), teens (8.1 percent) and 50s (4.4 percent).

So why do Gen Zers adore Na? Beyond his track record of successful shows, Na's authenticity seems to be the key. In his shows, he often bickers with cast members but usually ends up laughing and conceding, creating a sense of relatability and warmth.

In "Earth Arcade," when young stars like rapper Lee Young-ji and singer An Yu-jin treat him more like a peer than a producer, his relaxed and approachable demeanor stands out as a refreshing example of effective communication.

Through television and YouTube, Na has showcased his down-to-earth personality, creating a new vibe that resonates with younger audiences.

As Na continues to enjoy overwhelming support from fans in their 20s, the question remains: how far will this veteran producer evolve in his new role as a creator?

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.