In the Soop: Friendcation
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In the Soop: Friendcation
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that In the Soop: Friendcation, part of the BTS In the Soop franchise, features five popular Korean actors and singers (including BTS member V) spending a holiday weekend together. The overall series, which is subtitled in English, is a celebration of a tight friendship between young men who work in the entertainment industry. It's pretty low key, but there's some roughhousing and references to drinking (but doesn't happen on camera). There are some very brief moments of innuendo that will go over kids' heads, too. Occasionally K-pop songs are audible, and shows in which some of the cast have appeared in are referenced.
What's the Story?
IN THE SOOP: FRIENDCATION is a South Korean unscripted series featuring five best friends in the Korean entertainment industry going on a weekend getaway. This BTS In the Soop spin-off features BTS member Kim Tae-hyung, a.k.a "V," bringing together rapper Peakboy, actor and K-pop singer Park Hyung-Sik (a.k.a. Hyunsik), veteran actor Park Seo-Joon, and Korean-Canadian actor Choi Woo-shik to the scenic northeastern county of Goseong for a relaxing winter holiday. For three nights and four days they hang out in a modern luxury house and eat, sleep, play games, and have heart-to-heart talks. They also enjoy some of Goseong's simple pleasures, including fishing and ice skating. Throughout it all they enjoy the fact that they are able to spend some quality time together.
Is It Any Good?
This low-key unscripted series features the group known as the "Wooga Squad" taking a semi-planned break from their professional lives in order to celebrate their ten years of friendship. While some members of the self-proclaimed "almost family" admit feeling that they were "set up" to be on a reality show by V, they appear happy about taking advantage of the opportunity to spend some time together having a good time. Granted, having to wear the same outfits while in the luxury house may seem silly, and watching them cooking, eating, and napping isn't the most interesting thing to watch. But there is a sweetness to the show as the men, whose ages range from 26-33, appear to truly care about one another and enjoy each other's company. In the Soop: Friendcation is pretty slow compared to most U.S. reality shows, and probably won't appeal to all audiences. But K-pop and K-drama fans will be charmed by it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the In the Soop franchise. Did you know that soop means forest in Korean? What is the appeal of showing popular Korean entertainers in the woods together?
How pre-planned was In the Soop: Friendcation? Should there have been more pre-arranged activities throughout the holiday? Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 19, 2022
- Cast: Kim Tae-hyung, Choi Woo-shik, Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-Sik, Peakboy
- Network: Disney+
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Empathy, Gratitude
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: November 8, 2022
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