Korean stars embrace 'rookie' roles in new shows

Established Korean celebrities are making headlines by voluntarily taking on 'rookie' roles in new entertainment programs, a trend that has captured public attention. This movement sees seasoned professionals returning to their beginner days, seeking fresh challenges and a return to their foundational skills.

Shows like tvN's 'Undercover Chef' feature renowned chefs such as Kwon Sung-jun, Jung Ji-sun, and Sam Kim, who gained fame through programs like 'Black White Chef: Cooking Class War' and 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.' These chefs are now working incognito as kitchen assistants in Italy and China, facing unfamiliar environments and the humbling experience of making mistakes and receiving criticism.

Similarly, MBC's 8-part variety show 'Sora and Jin-kyung,' which concluded recently, followed broadcasters Hong Jin-kyung and Lee So-ra as they pursued their dream of walking the Paris Fashion Week runway. Both models, who debuted in the early 1990s and built successful careers, returned to the basics, auditioning as new models. Their journey was fraught with anxiety and the realization that the fashion world's standards remained high, often leaving them disappointed after auditions.

Another popular YouTube series, '26th Freshman,' stars actress Ha Ji-won, who, at 48, enrolls as a first-year university student. The show captures her navigating campus life, from course registration and club auditions to sharing delivery food with fellow students, highlighting the contrast with her successful acting career that began after graduating from college over 20 years ago.

Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun notes that these programs resonate because they show successful individuals experiencing bewilderment and the need for greater effort in new situations, fostering empathy. For viewers who may find it difficult to start anew later in life, watching celebrities freely take on new challenges offers a sense of vicarious satisfaction and inspiration.

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The appearance of people who have succeeded in each field returning to the position of a beginner and experiencing embarrassing things can feel friendly to viewers. Also, for mid-career professionals, it is difficult to challenge something new, but seeing celebrities freely challenge themselves can provide a sense of vicarious satisfaction.