Park Myung-soo. [Newsis]
Park Myung-soo. [Newsis]

Broadcaster Park Myung-soo made a candid admission Tuesday at an online press showcase for MBC Every1's variety show "Great Guide 3."

Reflecting on the grueling conditions he faced during filming, Park said the experience stood out even against a long career full of ups and downs. "In 35 years of broadcasting, there have been all kinds of hardships, but this trip was truly the most difficult," he said. "I dare say there will be no more travel variety shows beyond this one."

Park added that he had approached the production with a sense of finality. "I took on 'Great Guide 3' with the firm resolve that this might be my last work," he said, adding that he had given everything to the show.

"Great Guide" is a travel reality program in which cast members blindly follow a guidebook put together by foreign residents of Korea — people from countries rarely thought of as tourist destinations. The new season, which premiered Tuesday, centers on the keyword "adventure."

Park is joined once again by broadcaster Kim Dae-ho, actor Choi Daniel and singer Lee Mu-jin.

Park described hitting a wall during filming and ultimately turning to a higher power. "When things got hard, I started out cursing, then I didn't even have the energy to curse, and eventually I just gave up and left it in God's hands," he said. "I thought, 'Lord, are you really going to leave me like this?'"

"Friends without religion would end up finding one — that's how much we suffered in Ethiopia and Morocco," Park added. "I have no intention of going abroad for now."

Park also drew laughs when he reflected on his reputation as a travel show staple. "I'm back to say hello through 'Great Guide 3,'" he said. "I think they keep using me because I have a character that suits travel. I'm grateful."

He promised viewers an unfiltered look at the cast being pushed to their limits. "You'll see us hitting a wall," Park said. "This isn't just laughing and chatting and enjoying ourselves on a trip — we went to places we didn't know, we were surprised, we challenged ourselves. I can't tell viewers to try this at home. It's truly unconventional."

"This is different from existing travel programs," Park said. "We're not introducing places with good value, telling you what the food tastes like, or showing you scenic spots. We went on an adventure and an expedition, so we can't easily recommend that to others. It's your choice."


yul@heraldcorp.com