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| Welcome—Is This Your First Time in Korea? Press Conference / Photo: Provided by MBC Every1 |
[Sports Today reporter Song O-jung] ‘Welcome—Is This Your First Time in Korea?’ returned with a clear mission: to show what a truly honest Korean travel experience looks like.
On the afternoon of the 19th, MBC Every1 released a pre-recorded online press conference for ‘Welcome—Is This Your First Time in Korea?’. MCs Kim Jun-hyun and DinDin and producer Jeon Min-kyung introduced the revamped show.
Producer Jeon said the biggest change this season is dialing back the host-invite format and opening the show to a wider variety of visitors who come to Korea to travel on their own terms.
She explained why they made the shift: \”‘Welcome’ is now in its 10th year. Just like love in your 20s feels different from love in your 30s, a decade-old show needs to evolve. I took about six months off to rethink the show’s core. If you had to sum up ‘Welcome’ in one line, it used to be ‘invited foreigners travel Korea.’ Over time I grew confident we could drop the ‘invited’ part. We even received applications from people who are well known. I became certain these guests could explore Korea fully and offer fresh perspectives, so we made this change.\”
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| Welcome—Is This Your First Time in Korea? Press Conference / Photo: Provided by MBC Every1 |
She teased that during the six-month revamp they focused heavily on casting, hinting viewers have something to look forward to.
The update isn’t just a format tweak: DinDin, an original cast member, returns this season, shaking up the MC lineup. Back after about five years, DinDin said he shared the show’s golden era and hopes to help usher in another one as the new season kicks off.
DinDin pointed out the appeal of this season: when the show relied on host invitations, the choices felt limited. Sometimes it came off as forced and less relatable. Now that the format lets anyone take part, there’s a lot more room for exciting, authentic guests.
The production team also put a lot of thought into the lineup. \”We prioritized whether people would genuinely travel Korea,\” PD Jeon said, revealing they met with roughly 300 teams during the planning phase. She added they favored people eager to dive in and try many things over those who would stick to limited itineraries or seemed reluctant.
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| Welcome—Is This Your First Time in Korea? Press Conference / Photo: Provided by MBC Every1 |
She added that in the studio they noticed guests bring out personalities shaped by both character and cultural background. To highlight that, they’ll invite people connected to each country to explain those traits.
With a larger studio and celebrity appearances on the way, MCs Kim Jun-hyun and DinDin actively contributed fresh ideas.
Producer Jeon expressed confidence about delivering a sincere Korean travel experience this season. \”I’ve worked on ‘Welcome’ for six years, starting as the youngest team member. There’s a lot of over-the-top, nationalistic content out there, often driven by opportunists. If you watch, you’ll see what genuine storytelling looks like and how those real stories unfold,\” she said.
DinDin admitted he briefly worried that returning might be a poisoned chalice, but after the first shoot he set that aside. \”You’ll feel the ‘Welcome’ vibe you’ve been missing,\” he said, building excitement for the show’s comeback.
The newly refreshed MBC Every1 ‘Welcome—Is This Your First Time in Korea?’ returns tonight (19th) at 8:30 p.m.
[Sports Today reporter Song O-jung ent@stoo.com]
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