[Interview] 'Bro and Marble' PD "Thanks to Lee Seung-gi's wig spirit... Anticipating a reverse run"

Lee Hong-hee PD Interview

TVING 8-Episode Series 'Bro and Marble'
Top Lineup of Entertainers, Actors, and Idols
Different Cultures, United by Laughter...Global Popularity

Top variety stars gather in Dubai to unfold a board game. Two close friends team up and move their pieces according to the roll of the dice. The cities they land on can be purchased using the actual Dubai currency, Dirham (AED). They collect tolls and can even travel in real life. If trapped on a deserted island, escape is impossible until a double is rolled.

The cast is truly hot. Actor Lee Seung-gi anchors the show as the host banker, with pairs including Yoo Yeon-seok & Jo Kyu-hyun, Ji Seok-jin (Jo Se-ho) & Lee Dong-hwi, and Seventeen’s Joshua & Hoshi participating.

The OTT service TVING’s original series 'Bro and Marble,' reminiscent of the variety show version of Monopoly, has been released every Friday since the 21st of last month, with all eight episodes set to be available by the 25th. Combining travel and games, it successfully captures both fun and visual appeal.

On the afternoon of the 17th at TVING in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, PD Lee Hong-hee told Asia Economy, "Every time the cast rolled the dice, the production team was on edge," adding, "To maintain immersion, the production team did not intervene at all."

The production team revealed they directed the show like a survival program. They minimized interference to ensure the cast could fully focus on the game, believing that genuine immersion preserves authenticity.

PD Lee said, "The moment we intervene and tell the cast, 'Please roll the dice again' or 'This footage isn’t enough,' immersion breaks. It’s a program that combines travel and competition to determine a winner. We did not intervene or say anything that would disrupt immersion or impose directions."

Since the game moves pieces based strictly on the dice rolls, it relies entirely on luck. When asked how they handled practical issues like venue reservations at the locations on the game board, PD Lee replied, "There were variables like who would go and when. Both the cast and production team left it to chance. We could only anticipate and prepare within a broad framework."

He continued, "Dubai is an Islamic country. Costs are astronomical, and most locations require prior permission for filming. The directing and writing teams ran simulations over 100 times while preparing. We never knew when we’d visit places like Burj Khalifa, helicopter tours, or Burj Al Arab. We predicted high-probability actions but ultimately left it to luck and waited."

In episode 3, Ji Seok-jin & Lee Dong-hwi headed to the Gold Line Versace Hotel with Joshua & Hoshi. They enjoyed a suite room costing 30 million won per night, used the private pool, and spent 800,000 won on room service, indulging in their trip.

PD Lee recalled, "If you book 3 to 4 days in advance, costs increase. We expected to go outdoors on the first day, so we made reservations for the next day, but luckily, we ended up going on the reserved day."

Episode 3 also saw the participation of banker Lee Seung-gi, which energized the show. The solo concept acted as a variable, and the luck-based games, a highlight of variety shows, added significant fun. PD Lee Hong-hee had worked with Lee Seung-gi during his assistant directing days on shows like 'Grandpas Over Flowers,' 'Master in the House,' and 'Round.' This helped them understand each other well. Lee Seung-gi even asked PD Lee, "Please give me the project plan if I join the program," adding, "I’ll help with anything."

PD Lee said, "When I was the youngest on senior PD Na Young-seok’s team, the first video I made was Lee Seung-gi’s teaser trailer. Through 'Grandpas Over Flowers,' I saw how Lee Seung-gi behaved on trips and found it fun. We understand each other’s needs well and quickly grasp requests. I’m grateful that Lee Seung-gi accepts the director’s instructions well and leads the cast."

Before filming, Lee Seung-gi shaved his head for a movie shoot but wore a wig during 'Bro and Marble' recordings. A mission to steal his wig brought laughter, and in episode 3, while riding a yacht to a deserted island, his wig was blown away by the wind, adding more fun. Eventually, he appeared in later episodes without the wig, showing his natural hairstyle, which generated great laughs.

PD Lee recalled, "Lee Seung-gi once said he wanted to take off the wig someday. He kept wondering 'When should I take it off?' and finally did so on the yacht. I appreciated that." He added, "He didn’t have to remove the wig on camera or show a natural look, but he sacrificed himself to bring laughter. As a director, I’m thankful for cast members who secure comedic moments without being asked."

In an era where cast members are key content, casting was crucial. Lee Seung-gi anchored the show as host, with variety veterans Ji Seok-jin, Jo Se-ho, and Kyu-hyun lined up. New faces like actors Yoo Yeon-seok and Lee Dong-hwi joined, along with Seventeen members Hoshi and Joshua as youthful energy.

Lee Dong-hwi’s connection came from the drama 'Reply 1988.' When PD Lee Hong-hee was an assistant director, senior PD Na Young-seok directed 'Youth Over Flowers' during a drama reward vacation. PD Lee helped with the work and built friendships with the cast. About Lee Dong-hwi, PD Lee said, "He’s even funnier off-camera."

He added, "When we offered Lee Dong-hwi the role, he was busy preparing for Disney+’s 'Casino.' Despite that, he readily agreed, saying, 'If you do it, I’ll do it.' I asked several times if he was serious."

Yoo Yeon-seok is primarily a film and drama actor. 'Bro and Marble' marks his first fixed appearance in a variety show.

PD Lee said, "When I met Kyu-hyun and asked who he wanted to team up with, Yoo Yeon-seok’s name came up. As a singer with a wide network, I roughly expected who he might recommend, but it was surprising. Yoo Yeon-seok was filming the drama 'Understanding of Love' at the time. I wondered if we could cast a melodrama master, but he gladly agreed, saying it would be fun," he laughed.

Why did they cast Joshua and Hoshi from the idol group Seventeen? PD Lee explained, "Given the nature of OTT platforms, we need to encourage active viewership, and fandoms are one way to do that."

He continued, "Seventeen’s own content is really fun, and their individual character development is excellent. Even as a director, I learn a lot from their great content." He said, "We wondered which idol members would stand out without being intimidated by the older cast and who could playfully challenge them. Seventeen was a perfect fit. Two members with outstanding presence and performance came to mind."

In the industry, there is a saying that so-called 'blockbuster' content also requires luck. When everything aligns perfectly and things proceed smoothly, success is often anticipated. PD Lee said, "It’s amazing."

"I’m not a PD who has led many hit variety shows as the main director, yet everyone readily joined 'Bro and Marble.' They are all top celebrities, so I still wonder why they helped me so much. The group chat with the cast is still very active. They even take photos of themselves watching the content after release and share them. We recently met for a meal. The atmosphere is so good that I hope we can do it again with the same members."

'Bro and Marble' ranked first for two consecutive weeks in weekly paid subscriber contributions among TVING originals, attracting attention. PD Lee said, "It’s been watched a lot not only domestically but also overseas."

He added, "Since we poured our souls into it, I hoped it would do well, and I’m happy to hear the overseas response is even better. I hope it becomes a content that makes a comeback like a song climbing back up the music charts."

There are many masters who create variety shows in Korea and viewers with excellent insight who have enjoyed variety for a long time. Korean variety shows are close to being recognized as world-class content. Recently successful couple matching and physical survival content, as well as variety shows, are gaining attention.

PD Lee cited the strength of Korean-style variety shows as their primal humor that overcomes cultural differences. He analyzed, "Accessible common laughter points are important. For example, Lee Seung-gi taking off his wig brings laughter anywhere in the world. Also, scenes like Kyu-hyun eating a new fruit and unexpectedly triggering a fountain behind him are easy to relate to. Even with cultural differences, the humor is relatable."

The simple game format of 'Bro and Marble' allows for the stage to be moved to other countries for multiple seasons. PD Lee expressed a desire to film season 2 in Africa.

He said, "What if animals running on the savannah and a glamorous city come together? The trip with the banker in the desert was the best. We were placed in the middle of an empty desert, and the cast wanted to do long jumps and more. I’m looking forward to what kind of chemistry will emerge."

When asked about the possibility of a 'Bro and Marble' season 2, PD Lee firmly stated, "If a second season is made, I definitely want to go with the same members." He said, "The chemistry among the cast is really good. The atmosphere is so great that it feels like a shame to end it here." He added, "Everyone is busy, so scheduling won’t be easy, but I can’t imagine it without this cast."