1. An Unprecedented Season 2 Confirmation
In the broadcast industry, confirming a second season before the first has even aired is an extremely rare decision. It serves as a testament to the production team's firm confidence in the project's concept and creative vision. The drama I Will Travel for You, airing on Channel A, is drawing attention for this very unconventional move. The fact that it is only meeting audiences now, despite having wrapped up filming back in 2023, suggests it faced difficulties in securing a broadcast slot. However, this long wait has paradoxically worked to amplify anticipation, sparking curiosity about the story it holds.
2. A Former Idol with Hidden Scars, Kang Yeo-reum
The protagonist, Kang Yeo-reum, played by actress Gong Seung-yeon, is a character who carries scars hidden behind a once-glamorous facade. During her past as a member of an idol group, she never once stood in the coveted "center" position and had to endure the cold evaluation from fans as being a mere "byungpung" (a decorative background screen). Her past, where she yearned for the spotlight but was ultimately relegated to the periphery, casts a long shadow over her life even after the group's disbandment. This is portrayed not just as a professional failure but as an experience that left deep wounds on her self-esteem and identity, drawing empathy from viewers.
3. Five Years of Quiet Perseverance, But...
After her idol career ended, Kang Yeo-reum transitioned into a travel reporter, quietly carving out a path for five years. The program she hosted was an obscure one that few paid attention to, much like a local "My Hometown" segment, capturing modest regional scenery. The production team she worked with didn't truly respect her, and the show's future was always uncertain. Nevertheless, Kang Yeo-reum did her best in her given role, enduring each day with sincerity. However, when she becomes entangled in an unexpected incident during filming, the only job she has managed to hold onto for five years is also put in jeopardy.
4. A Glimmer of Light in a Crisis
Kang Yeo-reum's agency is run by CEO Oh Sang-sik, played by actor Yoo Jun-sang. It's a small and financially struggling company where she is considered the "ace." Framed unfairly in the process of her show's cancellation, Yeo-reum manages to clear her name with the help of a broadcast station editor, Lee Yeon-seok (played by Kim Jae-young). While his help is crucial in proving her innocence, it cannot reverse the decision to cancel the program. This serves as a moment where she confronts the cold wall of reality and hints at the need for a new turning point in her life.
5. An Unexpected Proposal: "Travel by Proxy"
Just as she feels she's hit a dead end, Kang Yeo-reum receives a very special and unfamiliar offer. It's not a job as a broadcast reporter, but a personal request to travel on someone's behalf. The first destination is Buyeo in Chungcheongnam-do Province. For her, who had only ever traveled within the official framework of broadcasting, this private travel proxy service for just one person feels disappointing and foreign. It is a small but meaningful start, pointing her in a direction completely different from the path she has walked so far.
6. A Step Towards Buyeo, A New Beginning
Her agency's CEO, Oh Sang-sik, strongly advises the lost and wandering Yeo-reum to "stop chasing clouds and face reality," urging her to return to her hometown. His blunt advice is hurtful, but it paradoxically becomes the catalyst for her to take on a new challenge. Ultimately, Kang Yeo-reum embarks on a journey to Buyeo—not for herself, but to capture the memories and wishes of another. This journey is more than just a geographical move; it's an internal pilgrimage to heal past wounds and discover her true self.
7. Villain-Free Healing, A Process of Self-Discovery
I Will Travel for You showcases the archetype of a "healing drama," flowing gently without provocative incidents or clear-cut villains. The core of the drama is not centered on character conflicts or revenge, but on the process of protagonist Kang Yeo-reum looking back on herself, recovering from her scars, and growing through the medium of travel. Following her perspective, viewers encounter the serene landscapes and people of Buyeo, finding a moment of comfort and peace away from their own complex daily lives.
8. Rediscovering Small Cities, The Charm of Buyeo
The drama sets itself primarily in Buyeo, a city still unfamiliar to many, and delicately shines a light on its hidden charms. The historical atmosphere of the ancient Baekje Kingdom's capital, combined with tranquil natural scenery and the simple stories of its people, stimulates the viewers' desire to travel. It is hinted that the videos Kang Yeo-reum films on behalf of her clients, capturing the city's every nook and cranny, will gradually gain popularity, establishing her "travel proxy" service as a new form of content.
9. The Potential Success of the "Travel Proxy" Concept
This concept of introducing small cities, each with its own story, rather than focusing on large metropolises, feels fresh to the audience. The needs of small cities wanting to promote their local beauty align perfectly with the demands of viewers seeking authentic, healing content. The early confirmation of Season 2 is underpinned by a belief in the potential success of this concept. The warm sensibility of the original work, a Japanese novel of the same name by Maha Harada, further deepens the drama's appeal.
10. Comfort and Intrigue Beyond Viewership Ratings
Although viewership ratings fell from 0.6% for the first episode to 0.3% for the second, numbers do not tell the whole story of this drama's value. For viewers who want to be comforted without sensational elements, I Will Travel for You will be an excellent choice. The story of Kang Yeo-reum overcoming past failures and learning to communicate with the world and grow through the new opportunity of "travel by proxy" is sufficiently intriguing in its own right. With Season 2 planned for a simultaneous release in Korea and Japan, attention is focused on whether it can create a warm bond of empathy that crosses borders.
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