Lee Joon's minimalist Da Nang trip with Jeon Hyeonmu

Entertainer Jeon Hyeonmu and actor-singer Lee Joon have signaled the start of a unique travel variety show by reuniting in Da Nang, Vietnam, to continue a connection they formed in the broadcasting industry 16 years ago. As the two, who are polar opposites in everything from travel preparation to local adaptation, are paired as a team, the 'chemistry between people' has emerged as the core attraction of the program rather than the tourist attractions themselves.

In the MBN variety program 'This Is Hyunmoo Road' broadcast on the 20th, Jeon Hyeonmu was shown arriving in Da Nang, Vietnam, to begin a 'footwork travel' experience, following the recommendations of locals. Rather than chasing famous tourist spots and standardized travel courses, this program aims to be a road trip that dives into the lives of locals to find hidden restaurants and places.

From the very first day, Jeon Hyeonmu's travel style was unusual. He stepped away from the familiar tourist destinations crowded with Korean tourists to find places actually enjoyed by locals, and he fearlessly challenged local foods, such as frog dishes, after receiving direct recommendations from taxi drivers. The main concept of the program is not just consuming a travel destination, but directly encountering the language and lifestyle of the locals.

While Jeon Hyeonmu was enjoying local food alone at an outdoor night market in Da Nang, a welcome travel companion appeared: actor and singer Lee Joon. Introducing Lee Joon, Jeon Hyeonmu recalled their connection from when he worked as an announcer and appeared as a regular on the program 'Star Golden Bell,' naturally summoning memories from 16 years ago.

Lee Joon recalled initiating the conversation by mentioning they used to go to the same hair salon back then. Jeon Hyeonmu also reminisced about that time with the sentiment of "trying to get close," candidly admitting, "There were no celebrities I could bond with back then." This moment showed the human side of Jeon Hyeonmu, who has now established himself as a leading presenter in the industry, during a time when he did not have much broadcasting experience.

As the two began their journey in earnest, their personality differences were immediately revealed. While Jeon Hyeonmu is a 'carrier-type' traveler who packs a suitcase full of necessary items, Lee Joon was close to an ultra-minimalist who handles everything with a single backpack. When Lee Joon appeared carrying only one backpack, Jeon Hyeonmu could not hide his surprise, asking, "You came like this?"

The most surprising part was the items inside the bag. Lee Joon's luggage consisted of nothing more than socks, underwear, and a few white T-shirts; he had no extra pants at all. He explained his somewhat rational reason: he prepared similar white T-shirts so he wouldn't have to worry about what to wear the next day.

The highlight was the pants. When Jeon Hyeonmu asked, "Don't you have any pants?", Lee Joon replied, "Because I don't sweat on my lower body." Lee Joon's logic—that there was no need to pack separate travel pants—was so overly simple that it actually drew laughter, and Jeon Hyeonmu felt flustered while comparing it to his own travel habits.

Jeon Hyeonmu explained that his suitcase grows large because he cannot stand feeling uncomfortable. Even though they are on the same trip, one follows the 'pack just in case' method, while the other follows the 'solve it when needed' method. The difference in their luggage serves as a device to show that their attitudes toward travel are fundamentally different, beyond just simple lifestyle habits.

Lee Joon's unique travel method fit well with the subsequent atmosphere of the program. He expressed his desire to prioritize his companion's enjoyment and to have a trip where he naturally blends into the local culture, and he actually experienced the local culture in Da Nang by following local recommendations alongside Jeon Hyeonmu.

Jeon Hyeonmu also presented a direction for this program that differs from existing 'restaurant information delivery' travel variety shows. Instead of following information already organized through internet searches, the method is to decide the next destination by asking, walking, and bumping into things directly on the ground. Based on this concept, the production team composed the journey of Jeon Hyeonmu and Lee Joon into a single narrative.

Furthermore, the long-standing connection between the two adds a separate sense of temporality to the program. The two, who were close to being senior and junior colleagues in the broadcasting industry 16 years ago, have met again as travel friends after building careers in their respective fields. Given that Jeon Hyeonmu has grown as an entertainment host and Lee Joon has expanded his field as a member of the idol group MBLAQ and as an actor, their reunion itself evokes the broadcasting landscape of an era.

In particular, the scenes where Jeon Hyeonmu reflects on his past add a different layer to the lighthearted travel variety format. The fact that a man who once searched for people to bond with in a strange broadcasting environment is now leading a travel program and calling upon an old acquaintance highlights how much their positions have changed over 16 years.

Lee Joon's ultra-minimalist packing also became a character in itself. In travel variety shows, a participant's personality is often revealed through actions rather than words; his choice of 'just one pair of pants' became a concise way to show his practical and simple nature. This, combined with Jeon Hyeonmu's meticulous preparation, creates a natural contrast between the two.

Future episodes are expected to show Lee Joon suggesting morning workouts to Jeon Hyeonmu, including lunges. The sight of Jeon Hyeonmu grumbling yet eventually joining in suggests that their relationship will expand beyond mere travel companions into a playful 'tiki-taka' dynamic based on their differing lifestyles.

Ultimately, the focus of the first trip on 'This Is Hyunmoo Road' is not the famous tourist attractions of Da Nang. Instead, the combination of Jeon Hyeonmu's heavy suitcase, Lee Joon's single pair of pants, their preference for local exploration over internet searches, and their 16-year-old connection weaves together to create compelling entertainment.

As competition in travel variety shows shifts from famous landmarks to the personal tastes and relationships of the cast, the pairing of Jeon Hyeonmu and Lee Joon serves as an interesting example of this trend. Since the joy of a trip is defined as much by 'who you travel with and how' as by 'what you eat and where you go,' their Da Nang journey has only just begun.