On the afternoon of the 20th, JTBC held a production presentation for its new entertainment program My Name is Gabriel in Seoul.
Attendees included Park Myung Soo, Hong Jin Kyung, Ji Chang Wook, Dex, Gabee, director Kim Tae-ho, and producer Lee Tae-kyung.
In My Name Is Gabriel, some of Korea’s most famous entertainers are taken to different parts of the world to live another person’s life for 72 hours.
Isolated from their friends, family, and publicists, and assigned a new identity by an AI algorithm, the celebrities will travel to places like Chiang Mai, Chongqing, Guadalajara, and Dublin, where they will have to adapt to their new homes, live with a different family, and work at someone else’s job.
The show features actor Park Bo Gum (Reply 1988), actor Ji Chang Wook (The Worst of Evil), comedian Park Myungsoo (Infinite Challenge), actress Yeom Hyeran (The Glory), and TV host Gabee. My Name Is Gabriel is produced by the legendary South Korean producer Kim Taeho (Infinite Challenge).
Director Kim Tae-ho shared, “During planning meetings last fall, ‘Gabriel’ came to mind, and we proceeded with the concept. I’m grateful that almost everyone we planned for could participate. While proposals can change, having all the cast members join is a blessing.”
When asked about similarities with another show, PD Kim highlighted, “Our difference is the real-life swapping with actual people, which isn’t easy to find. We decided against fictional characters, believing real stories would make ‘Gabriel’ unique.”
He added, “Real people’s lives have dramatic aspects. Unexpected stories emerged during filming, growing unpredictably and surpassing our expectations.”
Regarding competition with PD Na Young-seok’s Jinny’s Kitchen 2 PD Kim remarked, “With less than 30% combined viewership in the same time slot, having good programs in popular slots is crucial. It’s more about providing quality content on Friday evenings. I believe ‘Gabriel’ will become a JTBC flagship program.”
Park Myung-soo, who previously lived someone else’s life in Infinite Challenge in 2011, said, “Working with PD Kim Tae-ho again was delightful. This time, I lived as Ooty, a som tam seller in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was a meaningful experience that I think viewers will also appreciate.”
PD Kim also noted about Park Bo Gum, “He was initially unsure about this role, but he showcased impressive abilities, including his musical talents.”
My Name is Gabriel will premiere on June 21 at 8:50 PM, offering viewers a chance to experience the lives of others around the world.
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