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Yoo Jae-suk stars in 'Jae-seok’s B&B Rules!' / Yonhap News

"The Nation’s MC" Yoo Jae-suk is taking on a new challenge as a campsite manager. Stepping away from his usual flawless hosting style, he brings a clumsy yet deeply human touch to his return in a "retreat-style variety show," where he mingles and plays with guests amidst laughter and unexpected situations. "Yoo's Camp," which overlays Yoo's familiar comedic sense with a fresh, raw side of his personality, is gearing up for its release.

The press conference for the Netflix variety show "Jae-seok's B&B Rules!" was held on May 19 at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Producers Lee So-min and Hwang Yun-seo, alongside cast members Yoo Jae-suk, Lee Kwang-soo, Byeon Woo-seok, and Ji Ye-eun, attended the event.

"Jae-seok's B&B Rules!" is a group camping variety show where novice campsite boss Yoo Jae-suk and his staff members—Lee Kwang-soo, Byeon Woo-seok, and Ji Ye-eun—help guests escape their daily routines through lively chatter and outdoor activities. The show translates nostalgic school retreat elements, such as campfires, talent shows, morning missions, and cushion quizzes, into a variety format.

Producer Lee So-min defined the program as "a school retreat, Yoo Jae-suk style." She explained, "The format naturally emerged while filming 'The Great Kianage' as we discussed ways to expand the lodging-based variety genre." Producer Hwang Yun-seo pointed to Yoo Jae-suk himself as the show's biggest differentiator. "Viewers will get to see a very human Yoo Jae-suk who gradually loses energy as time goes on," she said, adding, "It captures a down-to-earth side of him that we haven't seen before."

In fact, the production team shared that Yoo’s meticulous personality shone through during the campsite operations. Yoo remarked, "Because we were managing a large group of people, while entertainment was important, health and safety were our top priorities." Echoing his sentiment, the production crew noted, "He personally checked the temperature, humidity, and even the dust levels of the gymnasium, which served as both a play area and accommodation."

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From left: Lee Kwang-soo, Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Ye-eun, and Byeon Woo-seok, stars of 'Jae-seok's B&B Rules!'. / Yonhap News

In this production, seeing the "human Yoo Jae-suk" rather than the celebrity persona stands out as a key element to watch. Ji Ye-eun, who currently shares the screen with him on SBS’s "Running Man," drew laughter by saying, "I felt the warmth of the human Yoo Jae-suk rather than the entertainer. It made me think, 'Wow, has Senior Jae-suk always been this kind?'" She added, "As expected, my role model is Yoo Jae-suk," prompting Yoo to crack everyone up by retorting, "Isn't your boyfriend Vata, though?"

The unexpected bromance between Lee Kwang-soo and Byeon Woo-seok serves as another highlight. Yoo remarked, "Kwang-soo and Ye-eun already have so much variety show experience. But Woo-seok was a true rediscovery. He especially adores Kwang-soo and follows him around. It's my first time seeing a younger guy like him so fond of Kwang-soo." Lee Kwang-soo then promised exceptional chemistry, adding, "I've never seen such a playful guy before."

Producer Hwang explained, "The very process of the cast and guests living together for three days and two nights, experiencing a 24-hour program, will be an intriguing point. Viewers will get vicarious satisfaction seeing guests personally experience the variety show games and situations they've only watched on screen."

Ultimately, Yoo Jae-suk remains at the core of the show. He candidly shared the burden that comes with carrying a variety program under his own name. "It is always a heavy burden to do a show with my name on it," Yoo said, though he added, "But I don't think you can let yourself get endlessly weighed down just because that pressure exists."

He expressed his confidence, stating, "Since this was my first time hosting a lodging-focused variety show, I found myself hesitating at times, but Ye-eun, who is experienced in this setup, kept us well-anchored. There were truly so many surprising, unpredictable moments while spending time with the guests. You can definitely look forward to it."

"Jae-seok's B&B Rules!" will be released on May 26.