Guian put his employees through their paces under the principle, “You have to go through hardship to create lasting memories. Let’s provide the world’s largest lodging.” The jaw-dropping 5-meter-tall entrance door was so massive that even Kim Yeon-koung, who stands at 192 cm, couldn’t reach the doorknob.
Located in Daegwallyeong—a “Winter Wonderland”—this massive studio apartment deepened the bonds between guests and staff. Witnessing staff members engage in warm, heartfelt conversations with guests from diverse backgrounds—including twin sisters from India, 20-year-old college freshmen, a priest, national and reserve luge team members, and Seonmudo practitioners—was widely praised as a source of comfort and healing.
Every night, the romantic sauna served as a gathering place for conversations between guests and staff, and the massive sink was even used as a jacuzzi. In this giant one-room apartment—which looked like it could house a fairy-tale giant—even turning off the lights required an unconventional approach.
Opening the massive refrigerator revealed a bunk bed, and guests had to climb up the beverage rack to reach the top bunk; opening the giant television revealed a karaoke room where wild talent shows unfolded every night. The enormous roll of toilet paper—which was so huge it was impossible to fathom how to use it—and the giant T-shirt hanging on a 4-meter-long hanger were actually blankets.
In the end, Ki-an 84—who, following the first location, had once again fallen into a trap of his own making—regretted, “Why did I build the house like this? It’s only fun while you’re building it.” Kazuha, who realized just how much of a hassle it was to carry groceries upstairs, elicited laughter with her wry remark: “It’s nothing but dreams and romance.”
Earlier, at the production press conference, Ki-an 84 had also mentioned that he had tried to build a house that could fly, causing the audience to burst into laughter. At the time, Ki-an 84 said, “At first, I wanted to make the house float in the sky,” adding, “We decided to give up on that fairy tale and compromised by saying, ‘Let’s put wheels on it.’ But then we ran into issues with the Road Traffic Act, so the alternative plan we came up with afterward was ‘Ki-an House 2.’”
He continued, “I was taken aback when the lodge actually came to life, and once I stepped inside the fairy-tale world, I was surprised by how many challenges there were.” He added, “I was worried at first, but things settled down after about four days. In the beginning, guests told me they were concerned because I looked so gloomy.”
Meanwhile, episodes 5 through 8 of “The Crazy Gi-an-jang Season 2,” which captivated Chuseok viewers with the unique, cheerful, and heartwarming charm of Netflix’s homestay variety shows, will be released on Netflix on the 29th.
