The production team of ‘Adventure by Accident’ (태계일주) is back, but their “cheat key” is missing. MBC’s new variety show ‘Rollercoaster’ is now on a mission to prove its worth through production power, without the guaranteed hit-maker Kian84.
PDs Shin Hyun-bin and Park Dong-bin, along with CP Choi Haeng-ho, who led ‘Adventure by Accident’ until its conclusion with Season 4 last year, are returning with ‘Rollercoaster.’ Premiering this June, ‘Rollercoaster’ is a reality show that focuses on exploring unique and exotic amusement parks that make up the top 1% of the world’s least-known spots. Out of the original ‘Adventure by Accident’ members, only Pani Bottle has joined this new project, while Kian84, Dex, and Lee Si-eon are not part of the cast.
The challenge for the production team is clear: they need to show whether their previous success was due to the characters of specific cast members or the strength of the planning itself. However, the strategy chosen for ‘Rollercoaster’ stays within a familiar range. The central duo, Noh Hong-chul and Pani Bottle, have already worked together for a long time on ENA’s ‘Earth Magic World Tour’ series. Considering that the previous series left some regrets in terms of ratings and buzz, it is questionable how attractive this recycled combination will be to viewers.
The synergy between new additions Chef Choi Kang-rok and Go Kyung-pyo is also a question mark. Noh Hong-chul, known for his extroverted “madness,” and Choi Kang-rok, who has a quiet and introverted way of speaking, are polar opposites. It remains unclear if Choi Kang-rok’s quiet charm can shine next to the high-energy Noh Hong-chul. If the situation repeatedly becomes one where Choi is overwhelmed by the one-sided energy, it might feel tiring rather than funny. Ultimately, some evaluate that this combination lacks the unpredictable destructive power that Kian84 brought to the table.
Concerns extend to the show’s structure. The strategy of focusing on local and “geeky” theme parks instead of massive ones is interpreted as an attempt to turn realistic constraints, such as filming cooperation and production environments at famous locations, into a differentiated concept. With a format of exploring exotic amusement parks worldwide similar to ‘Imagination Expedition’ from 20 years ago, it is uncertain whether these unfamiliar “B-grade” locations can satisfy the public’s desire for grand spectacles.
However, the freshness of the subject matter is undeniable. Moving away from giant theme parks to highlight hidden, exotic parks around the world provides a definite visual treat. As a road trip reality show combining travel and entertainment, the anticipation lies in how the cast’s “geeky passion” will blend with the vivid local atmosphere to provide visual pleasure.
‘Rollercoaster’ is a stage to verify the self-sufficiency of the production team now that key personnel from ‘Adventure by Accident’ have departed. It will be interesting to see if their gamble, featuring a cast combination some call cliché and a structure that seems like a realistic alternative, can fill the void left by Kian84.
