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Yu Jae-seok, Byeon Woo-seok bring unscripted charm to Netflix comedy 'Jaeseok's B&B Rules!'

Published: 29 May. 2026, 16:11

KIM JU-YEON
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From left: Lee Kwang-soo, Ji Ye-eun, Byeon Woo-seok and Yu Jae-seok in ″Jaeseok B&B Rules!″ [NETFLIX]

Take a familiar formula and put a new spin on it. That's what the producers of Netflix's new unscripted comedy show "Jaeseok's B&B Rules!" thought when they recruited Korea's favorite host, his longtime sidekick, the country's current heartthrob and a comic scene-stealer.

As its title makes clear, the show was built around comedian Yu Jae-seok, drawing on his beloved public persona and veteran hosting skills from 36 years in the business. According to the show’s producer and writer, he was also key to assembling both the noncelebrity cast and the man of the hour, Byeon Woo-seok.

Byeon Woo-seok in ″Jaeseok's B&B Rules!″ [NETFLIX]

"When we approached [Byeon], we had already pitched the show under the title 'Jaeseok’s Camp,'" writer Yoon Shin-hye said, referring to the show's Korean name, "so I think his decision first came from his trust in and affection for Jae-seok."

“Ultimately, I think he made up his mind after looking at the kinds of shows we had made before," Yoon said.

The team, led by producer Jung Hyo-min, has produced several unscripted comedy shows centered on celebrities running bed-and-breakfasts, including “Hyori’s Homestay” (2017-18) and “Kian’s Bizarre B&B” (2025-). Yoon and producer Lee So-min shared behind-the-scenes stories from “Jaeseok’s B&B Rules!” with reporters on Friday, after the first half of the season premiered Tuesday.

Byeon Woo-seok in ″Jaeseok's B&B Rules!″ [NETFLIX]

Byeon was cast shortly after tvN’s hit romantic comedy “Lovely Runner” (2024), as the producers were drawn to “the boyish quality he showed in the series” and the freshness that came from his limited variety show experience.

"My first impression of him in person was that he was very honest," Lee said. "At the camp, I also saw another side of him — moments where I wondered, ‘How is he this clumsy?’ He is kind and gentle, and even when things were difficult, he didn’t show it much. He tried to stay cheerful even in tough situations.”

Still from ″Jaeseok's B&B Rules!″ [NETFLIX]

The show brings noncelebrity guests to a campsite for a two-night, three-day retreat, where they play games, cook their own meals and camp together in a converted gymnasium. Yu serves as the camp director, while Byeon, Lee Kwang-soo and Ji Ye-eun work as "staff."

Yu was involved in the show’s production from the start. When the producers first discussed with him what kind of camp they wanted to create, Yu said he wanted it to be "a place where guests could feel happy, even briefly, away from the grind of daily life," according to Lee.

The competition among noncelebrities for a chance to camp with Yu was fierce: over 60,000 teams, including individuals and groups of family and friends, applied to appear on the show, amounting to a whopping 1,610-to-1 competition rate, the creators said. That's a 0.06 percent chance of getting in.

The production team conducted up to three rounds of interviews with applicants, looking for people who could "mix easily with others and bring an open, easygoing energy."

“Everyone seemed to have a dream of doing a talent show. A lot of people showed us their talent when meeting with us,” Yoon said.

Yu Jae-seok in ″Jaeseok's B&B Rules!″ [NETFLIX]

Yu Jae-seok and Lee Kwang-soo in ″Jaeseok's B&B Rules!″ [NETFLIX]

Yu more than lived up to expectations, the creators said, sharing that he often paid out of pocket during grocery runs for the camp meals, even worrying about “saving Netflix’s money."

"Because there were so many ingredients, I think he spent several million won," Yoon said.

The writer said it seemed to come from Yu’s genuine desire to treat the guests. “If someone said they wanted a certain ice cream, he would run out like the ‘wasp man’ and go around to several marts looking for it,” she said, referring to a viral meme character who runs out frantically to protect his honeybees from hornets.

“Seeing him run around like that, and seeing his real laughter and happiness come through, made me feel that he was truly immersed in running the camp,” she added.

Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon join ″Jaeseok's B&B Rules!″ as guests [NETFLIX]

The creators asked viewers to look forward to the second installment of the camp, set to stream next Tuesday, featuring singer Lee Hyo-ri and her husband, Lee Sang-soon, as instructors.

"Lee Kwang-soo compared the two editions to a hot pot: the first being spicy broth and the second being mild," Yoon said. "It is more subdued, but with a savory charm."