Annyeong, yeorobun! How was your weekend? If you’ve kept up with BTS’ member V (aka Kim Taehyung) then recently you may have watched the final episode of “In The Soop: Friendcation.” It’s hard to believe that a month has flown by so quickly and the series has come to an end. Filmed over three nights and four days we got to know the five Wooga squad members a little more intimately, and while their levels of chaos were minuscule compared to BTS’ “In the SOOP” experiences, the essence of the series was still familiar to many viewers.
Wooga squad is a group of five young Korean men who are known for their talent in the acting and music industries. Coordinating the busy schedules of three actors — Park Seo-jun, Park Hyung-sik, and Choi Woo-shik and two singer/songwriters — Peakboy and V, may have seemed impossible initially. Yet, somehow they (along with their managers) made it happen. As such, the five members were able to enjoy a wintery getaway in Goseong county, in South Korea’s Gangwon province.
From the opening of this variety show, it is fun to see the different ‘family’ roles aligned to each of the members. Seo-jun is seen as the emotional anchor ‘Dad’ figure while Hyung-sik is more the gentle and kind ‘Mom.’ Peakboy is regarded as the wild ‘youngest daughter,’ Woo-shik, the trustworthy ‘eldest son,’ and V, not surprisingly, is named as the cute ‘youngest sibling.’ Throughout the four episodes viewers can see each of the member’s personalities shine through at different times and as their collective stories unfold, viewers start to gain an appreciation for how the Wooga ‘family’ came to be. Friends since 2018, it’s easy to see how much they enjoyed each other's company, respecting each other both personally and professionally.
During the series, there are many fun moments of laughter as well as quieter moments for fire gazing and meaningful reflections. Road tripping also provides time for the five young men to share their thoughts and experiences on various topics including work, travel, and music. As friends, their support for one another is unrivaled. More than anyone else, they know how hard each of them has worked in their chosen professions and openly praise each other for their efforts. Viewers learn that originally it was their enjoyment of a particular online game that brought the five members together, but that through Seo-jun, Hyung-sik and Tae-hyung were introduced to Woo-shik and Peakboy.
For many ARMYs, it may have been unusual to see Tae-hyung as the maknae (youngest in the group). Despite his age though, it was not unusual to learn that it was Tae-hyung’s enthusiasm that inspired “In The Soop: Friendcation.” From the onset, we learn that the HYBE production team worked quickly to coordinate the five members and everything needed in order for the series to be filmed successfully. Tae-hyung’s desire to make meaningful memories with his four hyungs resulted in the Wooga squad being able to spend quality time together. When it comes to organizing social get-togethers, fans already know that Tae-hyung is very capable in this role. It’s nice to know that HYBE also saw the value in this idea and that the Wooga squad collectively supported the idea— making it a reality for themselves.
Personal Touches
While watching the series, viewers could also see a few of the personal touches that went into its preparation. Each of the members received a care package when they arrived at their accommodation, which included matching sets of pajamas, socks, and tracksuits. Tae-hyung’s voice could be heard as background music to several scenes and even the series’ OST was written and sung by the Wooga squad members themselves. The venue itself was well-sourced. Between the outdoor open fire and the indoor swimming pool and sauna, those elements added to the relaxed nature of the series.
It’s also interesting to note that while the members may have been a little surprised at how quickly their three-night/four-day journey became a reality, by the last episode the members had already started to talk about the potential of a second get-together: perhaps a road trip next time, with just the members and their selfie stick cameras, vlogging their way across the country. Whether these thoughts become something more is another thing entirely, but it was enjoyable to hear them considering the possibility of a sequel. This trip showed them just how valuable moments like those experienced in the series can be for their ongoing friendship and their own personal well-being.
This was just a sneak peek into the Wooga squad’s “Friendcation.” Without spoiling too much for those who haven’t seen it yet, knowing that Tae-hyung was able to spend quality time with his Wooga family is heartwarming. Seeing their interactions and hearing their stories showed how genuine each member is and how comfortable they are within themselves and the brotherhood that they share with one another. It’s a timely reminder too that it’s okay to take time out for ourselves and if possible, spend time with our own friends and family.
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Written By: Tobing & Mama
Edited By: Esma
Checked By: Miranda
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