tvN 'Fresh off the Sea' captivated viewers with its chemistry that flourished in Wando, showcasing the energetic performances of the youngest members.

In the fifth episode of the tvN variety show 'Fresh off the Sea' (directed by Kim Se-hee) aired on Nov. 11 (Sunday), the story of Yum Jung-ah, Park Joon Myun, Lim Ji-yeon, and Lee Jae-wook, who were deployed for an unprecedented fishing operation at the second production site in Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, was depicted. The broadcast recorded an average of 2.6% and a peak of 5.1%, ranking first in its time slot, including cable and general programming. Especially, it achieved first place for five consecutive weeks in the viewership ratings for males and females aged 20-49, which is the target demographic of tvN, maintaining its popularity. (Nielsen Korea, based on paid platforms)

The opening took place at a restaurant in Wando's Hwaheung Port. After driving for six hours, the four siblings greeted each other with updates, but that was short-lived as a 19-dish table set with Wando's specialties appeared, and they began a storm of eating. In particular, Yum Jung-ah and Park Joon Myun impressed the younger members by using their experience to guess the seasonal ingredients to harvest that day.

The location for the siblings' fishing operation was Soando, which requires an hour by boat to reach from Wando. It is also famous as one of the three major sites of the anti-Japanese movement. Experiencing their first ferry commute, the siblings didn’t waste a single minute on the boat, engaging in activities like foot massages and foot wrestling games. Then, the production team advised them, saying, "It's better to rest when you can rest," creating a significant atmosphere.

The ingredient waiting for the siblings was "seaweed." The numerous boats docked side by side on the sea and the giant cranes created an overwhelming scale, making the members feel tense. When the siblings briefly showed unfamiliar expressions saying, "This is the first time I've seen it" at the blackened seaweed of Soando, they began the seaweed unloading process, needing to move an astounding 28 tons of seaweed to land, paired with two members on each boat.

Raking was far from easy. With the rake weighing 3 kg and the water-soaked seaweed being incredibly heavy, it was a strenuous task that required considerable strength and technique. Even the seasoned Yum Jung-ah and Park Joon Myun expressed their astonishment, saying, "This is no ordinary job" and "The labor intensity is unprecedented," as groans echoed on site. However, the youngest members kept up their energy, displaying their enthusiasm amid the hard work. The strong youngest member, Lee Jae-wook, took on the job of moving yellow boxes weighing 40 kg each, showcasing exceptional sociability by conversing with fellow workers.

The seaweed unloading task was an eye-opening experience that made them appreciate the effort behind each piece of seaweed. Yum Jung-ah showed signs of exhaustion from the relentless raking, leading Lee Jae-wook to move the boat to lend a hand to his sister. Lim Ji-yeon noted, "I think I'm pretty good at this," showcasing her skills in the seaweed operation while constantly raising the group's spirits. The siblings successfully completed the unloading of 28 tons of seaweed after repeating the processes of scooping and packing for a solid three hours.

The four siblings, who gave their all to the point of body aches, enjoyed a brief snack time as they savored gimbap, mulguk (seaweed soup), seaweed water dish, and seaweed jeon (pancakes) in front of the harbor. The transportation fee given to the siblings was 160,000 won. They also received fresh seaweed that can only be tasted in Soando and the famous abalone from Wando as gifts, promising another bountiful dinner.

The house of the siblings located in Wando was right by the beautiful sea. After briefly expressing admiration, saying, "It looks like a house from a drama," Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Jae-wook brought laughter as they immersed themselves into the so-called 'sticky game' with a hand slap penalty. While the two were engaged in their fierce competition, Park Joon Myun suggested a midday makgeolli party, pulling out well-fermented ssuk bakji (pickled vegetable). Lim Ji-yeon proposed an MZ-style toast that got the mood up, saying, "A day like today is rare–rare!" while dancing her shoulders.

The 'seasonal garden party' cooking led by Chef Yum Jung-ah was captivating. As Park Joon Myun and Lim Ji-yeon began peeling whole garlic, the youngest Lee Jae-wook took on the role of fire master. Despite struggling with unexpected winds, the siblings showcased their chemistry, finding joy even in flying garlic skins. Chef Yum Jung-ah began preparing a perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside pork belly barbecue with meticulous seasoning. She seasoned the meat with garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika powder alongside mustard sauce, while Lee Jae-wook, who frequently enjoys camping, confidently took his position at the grill.

Lim Ji-yeon expressed wonder at a substantial abalone, matching her face size, and helped Yum Jung-ah in cleaning the abalone, while also playing a role in crafting the ultra-simple tofu stew prepared by Park Joon Myun. Amid the siblings' diligent efforts in preparing dinner and displaying their matured chemistry, the freshly revealed impressive dish of pork belly barbecue seasoned generously with powder aroused anticipation for the upcoming dinner.

Meanwhile, 'Fresh off the Sea' is a fishing village reality show that encompasses various jobs and foods from crystal-clear seas, including fresh winter and spring seasonal dishes that can only be tasted at the production site. It airs every Sunday at 7:40 p.m.

[Photo] 'Fresh off the Sea'

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