Hometown Flex: Episode 01 in Busan Recap
Main Cast: Cha Tae Hyun, Lee Seung Gi
Guests: Jang Hyuk, Lee Si Eon, Simon D
The 1st Hometown: Busan
The time is 5:45am and Cha Tae Hyun and Lee Seung Gi are on the KTX heading to Busan, the first hometown on Hometown Flex. Today is the first filming for the show and Seung Gi is feeling nervous not knowing what to expect in Busan. He agreed to join despite not knowing the details after hearing Tae Hyun had accepted the offer. The PD Yoo Ho Jin (formerly 2 Days & 1 Night) asks a few questions to check their identities. The two are officially verified as born and raised Seoul bumpkins and so their journey begins! 2 hours and 40 minutes later, the members arrive at Busan Station and are greeted by the local representatives: Jang Hyuk, Lee Si Eon, and Simon D.
The guests have prepared recommendations and will introduce to the Seoul bumpkins the regional specialties and special places of Busan. But first, the locals need to follow one rule and are required to speak in satoori (dialect). A challenge for Jang Hyuk who has been away from his hometown for 26 years now. To help warm up, they start out teaching Seung Gi and Tae Hyun the local way to call out for someone bringing much laughter. "Ye?!"
Jang Hyuk's Local Food: Pork Gukbap at DAEGEON MYEONGGA 대건명가 돼지국밥
It is now time to start the day with Jang Hyuk's breakfast recommendation, pork and rice soup (dwaeji gukbap 돼지국밥). Busan is known for gukbap, a filling and hearty dish that is loved by the locals. When Simon D is asked what his breakfast pick is, he jokes that he usually eats a McMorning. Fitting for a city he refers to as the LA of Korea.
Jang Hyuk claims to have eaten at least 40 bowls at this restaurant while filming in Busan for over a month. So he must know the exact taste right? The production team drops a sudden challenge on Jang Hyuk to find the gukbap. Five bowls are placed on the table each using the same ingredients but with different broths. A big match between Team Busan vs Team Seoul where only the winning team will get to eat. Can Jang Hyuk succeed?
After tasting each bowl carefully, Hyuk immediately eliminates #5 first. He is certain and says it is definitely not the one. The members check the answer underneath the bowl and it is the correct gukbap from this restaurant. Game over! The minister of gukbap fails and Team Busan loses breakfast. His pick would have been #4 which amusingly contains broth made from big brand instant Nongshim Sarigomtang noodles. He was also attracted to the taste of #3 which Simon D was able to precisely identify as the broth from the popular Sinseon Seolleongtang chain.
Team Seoul are the lucky ones who get to enjoy the first meal on Hometown Flex. A delicious meal of pork gukbap and boiled pork (suyuk 수육) plus a side of pork blood sausages (sundae 순대)! Team Busan can only sit and watch with envy drooling at the mouthwatering sight of the food. The losing team also has to pay for 10 bowls in advance as a coupon giveaway to the viewers. A game of credit card roulette is played where the owner randomly selects a card. Si Eon is the lucky winner and personally pays for the gukbap that he did not even get to try.
Jang Hyuk's Local Attraction: Taejongdae
The members arrive at Taejongdae, an attraction that is recommended by Jang Hyuk. A scenic natural park that is a popular destination for the locals as it is the perfect place to take a leisurely walk at. They make a stop for coffee first. While others order iced coffee, Jang Hyuk hilariously orders a hot latte on a day with a heatwave warning.
They head to the observation deck to admire the breathtaking sea view. Tae Hyun asks Jang Hyuk what the island is in the distance. As he has no clue, he says it did not exist back when he was still living in Busan. Nonsense!
Next, they begin their descent down to reach the highlight of Taejongdae. At the bottom of the cliffs is the Yeongdo Lighthouse. The long way down is dizzying though. Tae Hyun bursts out into laughter as Si Eon loses balance and almost stumbles down the seemingly endless stairs. Tucked away behind the lighthouse is a small haenyeo village where they will enjoy raw seafood for lunch while watching the waves.
The haenyeo recognizes the popular actors and excitedly calls out their names. Everyone helps to set up the giant parasols at their seaside tables for some shade against the scorching sun. Si Eon properly shows them how to call over someone in Busan by saying "ye?!!" while adding some hand gestures. It is not rude at all! The lady responds and comes over right away to take their order. They order sea cucumber, sea squirts, and conches.
Before eating, they have to pick their own game to play where only the winning team will be given chopsticks. The losers will have to walk all the way back up the stairs to pick up their own chopsticks at the convenience store. It is Team Seoul vs Team Busan again. They decide to play a guessing game of "odd or even," counting the number of pieces of conch. Team Busan goes with odd while Team Seoul chooses even. It is even, Team Seoul wins!
Team Seoul quickly finishes up the delicious conch before Team Busan return. Tired and bitter, the Busan brothers order another plate of conch. They play the "odd or even" game again but using bottle caps this time. Team Busan stubbornly sticks with odd and loses again. Since Team Seoul is already full, they decide to give the plate of conch to the first person who can name 5 beaches in Busan in 5 seconds. Simon D wins but does not want to eat it all by himself. He shares the conch with his hyung-nims with Busan loyalty. He chuckles after a taste understanding why Team Seoul ate it all earlier. The texture and taste is so delicious!
Lee Si Eon's Cafe Pick: CARIN YEONGDO PLACE 카린 영도 플레이스
After a playful lunch by the sea, the members head to the Yeongdo District. The neighborhood was once known as the "Kangkangee Village" because of the hammering sound from its former ship repair industry. The area is now a popular destination for trendy cafes. Si Eon's pick is Carin Yeongdo Place, a multi-floor cafe that is renovated from a building that used to be a factory. The interior is modern but the industrial appearance of the exterior is kept.
They go up to the 5th floor rooftop while whining and complaining about more stairs again. However, their attitudes changed completely once they got a glimpse of the amazing IMAX view. They have a view of Busan Harbor Bridge and of the entire city. While impressed by the breathtaking view, Tae Hyun wonders why Si Eon picked this cafe as it obviously looks like a recent development. Si Eon jokes about having fond memories that can be found on social media. It is indeed a picture-perfect place to create new memories at!
After taking some photos together, they head indoors to enjoy their coffee and desserts away from the blazing sun. Luckily, they do not have to play any games where someone gets left out this time. Tae Hyun talks about the rough look of the area but so unique with all the wharves and industrial buildings. Jang Hyuk says Yeongdo used to be a dark place but has now become a hip place to hang out at. They make a toast and continues to happily chat away making the best use of their time here in Busan.
Simon D's Nostalgia: Ddongdari 똥다리 & Busan National University Station
This next destination is a very meaningful place for Simon D, a place full of memories from his youth. While on the way, he shares the story of his hip hop roots going back to 1998 when he was in 8th grade. There was a place that taught b-boying but it was a live club, "2PAC." The owner kindly allowed him and his friends to hang out there after school before opening hours. He practiced rap and b-boying there. It was also where he first performed. Suddenly, the hip hop club turned into a disco. Disappointed in the owner, he stopped going. That is when he started to go to the Ddongdari bridge underground at the Busan National University Station to practice rap.
Simon D says this is the first place he comes to whenever he is back in Busan. It represents his history, memories of his youth where he and his friends would hang out. They would put on a cassette tape and freestyle to the beat. While walking along the underground, the members stop at an area where production had set up a projector. They are shown examples of murals and graffiti that once lined the walls, depicting how the space would have looked in the past.
The last mural is a surprise the production team prepared solely for Simon D to welcome his glorious return home. His song "Simon Dominic" is played while a lyric video is projected at a space where his memories lie. Excited and emotional at the same time, he is incredibly touched by this moment as he recollects his hip hop roots.
Popularity Battle: Team Seoul vs Team Busan
Before they go, a simple game is prepared. This is a popularity battle between Team Seoul vs Team Busan! A mini fan sign event is set up at the underground. Ten citizens are randomly selected from the area. Each citizen will get to choose only one person to receive an autograph from. Simon D and Si Eon already feels defeated and says the citizens would all choose the popular Seung Gi of course. Even they would choose him. Seung Gi counters saying Team Busan has the home ground advantage. Where does public opinion stand? The game starts...
The citizens enter one at a time to introduce themselves and to make their choice. Team Busan leads with 5 votes over Team Seoul with 2. Each celebrity has received a vote each so far while Simon D is proving his big popularity in the college area with 3 votes. Next up, a 48-year-old gentleman introduces himself as Yoon Jung Heon. There is someone he has been wanting to meet for a long time and it is Simon D. He cites Simon D's Busan swag when he raps in dialect ("Eh Hey" and "Cheerz"). They excitedly greet each other with an elbow bump and Simon D drops a verse for him. With the score now at 6:2, Team Busan wins with the majority vote!
Simon D's Special Visit: The Former Location of Club 2PAC
On the way to the next location, production contacts the members asking them to make a quick stop first. Simon D is told to head upstairs alone and he immediately recognizes the place as where "Club 2PAC" used to be. It is now a dance academy but he heads inside for a look. He sees Jung Heon hyung-nim who he had met earlier at the fan sign. Looking familiar, Jung Heon turns out to be the former owner of the club. This is a heartwarming reunion at a meaningful place after 22 years. They greet each other with a bow and handshake followed by a warm embrace.
Jung Heon talks about 1998 when Korea was in a downturn from the IMF crisis. Despite his major love for hip hop, he could not help but to make a realistic decision to turn the live club into a more popular disco at that time. This is the story of an adult that a young kid never heard. Simon D feels really apologetic that he suddenly stopped going. Jung Heon is happy to know that the kid he knew, Ki Seok, still thinks of the club and keeps it as a special place in his heart till this day.
Another surprise guest shows up, a trendy noona who was a part-time worker at "2PAC." She recollects their crew, "Black Area," a group of 4-5 kids who would come to practice after school around 3-4pm. Though Ki Seok was the smallest, he was the leader of their crew who bravely asked her if they can hang out there. She remembers giving them free cola refills as they practiced in the corner, and lending them her hip hop CDs. Seeing how hard Simon D worked back then as a young kid, she is incredibly proud to see the person he has become today.
Simon D is choked up with emotions, left speechless, and does not know what to say with this unexpected reunion after 22 years. He is feeling incredibly grateful and apologetic at the same time to the people who have helped him foster a love for hip hop during his prime. Jung Heon hyung says, "don't be like that," as the tears begins to stream down Simon D's face.
Ending Caption: Behind a person's journey to reaching adulthood, how many people and places were needed? But you don't have to know that. As long as you live beautifully and healthily, your hometown will be happy for you.
The story in Busan will continue on the next episode of Hometown Flex...
Song Feature:
Taillight by Platform Stereo (플랫폼 스테레오)
Formed in 2018, Platform Stereo is an indie band based in Busan, South Korea, producing music in the various genres of electronica, rock, and city pop.
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