K-Celebs Go Camping!

By Jae-Ha Kim
KOCOWA
June 24, 2021

Would you be surprised to learn that this pandemic we’re all dealing with led to an increase in first-time campers? More than 10 million families camped for their first time in 2020, according to statistics from the annual North American Camping Report. That’s five times as many new campers compared to 2019. And the organization is guesstimating that 2021 will have an even higher number of campers.

If you watched the K-drama “Hospital Playlist,” you surely remember Dr. Chae Song Hwa (Jeon Mi Do) unwinding whenever she could by taking solo camping trips. The scenario was so inviting that the series stars went on a real-life camping trip that was filmed as a treat for their fans to watch.

Given that June is National Camping Month in the United States, we wanted to take a look at some of the fun Korean camping content that you can watch right here on KOCOWA in the privacy of your own, air-conditioned home.

Ahn Bo Hyun and Sehun / “Home Alone” (Ep. 339) and (Ep. 340)

South Korea has many well-known campers, like Ahn Bo Hyun (“Kairos,”), who has created his own camper out of a used car that he named Krong. For one of this trips, he invited his friend and camping novice Sehun. To say that the EXO idol was impressed with the actor’s ingenuity is an understatement. They flew drones, made dalgona (sugar candy) and the trendy dalgona coffee (where Bo Hyun told his friend to stir it over 400 times to thicken the concocation), and then grilled pork belly and scallops. Se Hun said he never would’ve gone camping if Bo Hyun hadn’t invited him and showed him the ropes. And in the middle of their camping, Park Seo Jun called to check in on Bo Hyun. We need to see another camping episode with Seo Jun as an invited guest!

Park Eun Seok / Home Alone (Ep. 381)

“The Penthouse” star is an outdoorsman who loves to canoe, hike and camp. He enjoys the outdoor life so much that he will set up quite the impressive tent in his own backyard so that he can enjoy the camping experience on a regular basis. If you equate camping to roughing it, Eun Seok is here to show you that it doesn’t have to be that way. He set up all the comforts of home in his glamping setup, which included a wood burning stove (with proper ventilation), rugs and cozy chairs. His golden retriever puppy, Molly, was too young to camp with him and stayed indoors, where she could keep an eye on him.

“I Was A Car” (Season 1 and Season 2)

As Bo Hyun and Eun Seok showed, you don’t have to rough it to go camping. And that’s the concept behind the reality series “I Was A Car,” which shows novices how you can enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your automobile, whether you go by yourself or with a partner. Season 2 of the show is dedicated to winter camping.

Choi Jin Hyuk and Yoo Young Jae / “My Little Old Boy” (Ep. 243)

Speaking of novice campers, I almost wished that the “Zombie Detective” star and Yoo Young Jae — who co-starred together in “Mr. Queen” — had invited Bo Hyun or Eun Seok to show them the ropes. This was the first time either of them had camped and neither knew what to do. Looking at all the poles and tarp meant to be set up over their car trunk, Jin Hyuk said they should look up the instructions. Seo In Guk, who was a show guest and was watching their antics from the studio, said, “That’s smart. When friends go camping, there’s always one guy who tries to do it himself.” But here’s the thing about instructions: They’re not easy to follow if you don’t pay attention to them. Let’s just say things didn’t go as planned. But what did work out to perfection was their meal of grilled tripe and kimchi fried rice, which they cooked outside. Eating outdoors is my favorite part of camping and it seemed to be theirs, too. Young Jae brought a mic so they could have their own outdoor noraebang (karoake). The episode ended without their tent set up, but it looked like Young Jae got the relaxing adventure he had been looking forward to.

Are you an expert camper or a novice? Which of these K-celebs do you relate to the most? Check out the episodes on KOCOWA and live vicariously, even if you personally are not a happy camper.