This variety-style travel show was recommended to me on Netflix on the first day of release (26 June 2020) and somehow or another, I ended up binge-watching the full series despite not being a fan of both actors – Lee Seunggi and Jasper Liu. Apart from the awkward lost-in-translation (English-Korean-Mandarin) moments, the show has surprised me in many ways and I really enjoyed it after getting used to the constant language ‘channel-switching’.
(Spoiler alert. I recommend you to continue reading only if you’ve completed the series)
It wasn’t an easy task to bring two people together on a show, where their common language is English and not their mother tongue. In case you’re unfamiliar with them, Lee Seunggi is a Korean actor/singer while Jasper Liu Yi Hao is a Taiwanese actor/model. The production is Korean and the PD was from Running Man at some point in time, so you’ll be presented with multiple surprises along the way. To be honest, their trip feels more of a physical endurance chiong (fast-paced) trip where they had to city hop almost every other day. It would have been a trip I would have done fresh out of college for my grad trip, not one to be done at 33-years old. I can feel the tiredness in their eyes when they had to do crazy tasks like cliff diving, finding people and houses from the crowded townships and they even have to drive the 4WD on uneven dirt roads!
The unscripted-style definitely caught Jasper off guard as he did look a little awkward when he realised they had to share a room and all these helped to firm up the real-ness vibes of a reality show. Furthermore, the concept of having them to meet their fans in less popular towns (except Bangkok) brings about a hidden message that K-pop is a worldwide phenomenon. Who would ever think that even people in Nepal are Kpop fans. The meet-and-greet concept was really refreshing and I believe that the lucky fans were truly unaware of their impending visit. I don’t believe that such emotions can be ‘faked’ and I really applaud the crew for the real-ness of this show. As it was aired on Netflix, not the local Korean broadcast, they did not bother to mosaic away brand names like ‘Starbucks’, Nike shoes etc. though it was not a sponsor for this show.
It was an interesting Taiwan-Korea union which I could understand as I do know that some Taiwanese movies do really well in Korea (esp. Our Times) and I do know of some koreans who adore Taiwanese actors as they are known to be more natural (and perhaps less or no plastic surgery). Similarly, Kpop is a hit in Taiwan as well, which means that this show has the potential to be very popular.
The only upsetting thing about this show is that the timing was unfortunately during the whole mess of COVID-19, which has brought travel to a standstill. It has opened up my eyes to the beauty of Nepal and I’ve kind of added this place to my to-go list, to be fulfilled sometime in the uncertain future.
Anyway, this show is a mix between 20% Travel, 30% Reality and 50% Variety. I hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I did and hopefully my compiled locations below would be useful when you are able to travel again 🙂
Timeline of Show
I have no idea why they had such a rush itinerary. Couldn’t decide if it was a budget or artiste schedule issue or perhaps the PD wanted this rushed format to create anxiety and competitiveness.
[3 Sep 2019] evening – Arrived at Yogyakarta Airport
[4 Sep 2019] 8:45 PM – Flight from Yogyakarta to Bali
[6 Sep 2019] afternoon – Flight from Bali to Bangkok
[7 Sep 2019] 9:35 PM – Flight from Bangkok to Chiangmai
[Sometime later] 3D2N Kathmandu; with a 1N stay at Pokhara
+ reunion episode in Seoul
Episode 1-2, Yogyakarta
Accommodation: Griya Langen
Address: Jl. Langenastran Kidul No.28, Panembahan, Kecamatan Kraton, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55131, Indonesia
Room Price in the show: 300,000Rp (~21 USD)
Check Prices
Based on the images, their room seems to be part of the four-bedroom house and they could possibly be sharing the place with the rest of the crew.
Jomblang Cave, Heaven Light
Address: Jetis Wetan, Pacarejo, Semanu, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55893, Indonesia
Price in the show: 500,000Rp (~$35 USD)
Day Tour w/ river tubing @ Pindul Cave + transport: ~$63 USD (Klook)
Kalisuci Cave Tubing
Address: Jetis Wetan, Pacarejo, Semanu, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55893
About 20 mins drive from Jomblang Cave or 1.5 hours drive from downtown.
Price in the show: 80,000Rp (~$6 USD). Price has increased till 200,000Rp (~$14 USD) as of Dec 2019.
Prambanan Temple
Address: Jl. Raya Solo – Yogyakarta No.16, Kranggan, Bokoharjo, Kec. Prambanan, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55571, Indonesia
Price in the show: 350,000Rp (~$24.5 USD) Cheaper if you pre-book at Klook
Alun Alun Kidul
This is a city square aka park in the city where people really take up the challenge of walking blindfolded between the two banyan trees.
Address: Alun-Alun Kidul St, Patehan, Kraton, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55133, Indonesia
Episode 2-3, Bali
Accommodation: Ula Villas Bali, Nusa Dua
Address: Jalan Kebo Iwa No. 11, Taman Mumbul, Benoa, Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali 80363, Indonesia
Room Price in the show: 2,200,000Rp (~$154 USD) Check Price (Hotels.com)
Spear/Line Fishing
I’m not sure which fishing charter they engaged for this activity so I’m unable to share. To be honest, I think that fishing in Bali is a little too ‘random’ unless you’re an avid fishing enthusiast. Most people don’t go Bali for this sport.. Haha.
Price in the show: 1,800,000Rp for 2 pax (~$126 USD)
Paragliding @ Sawangan Beach
Address: Benoa, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Price in the show: 1,200,000Rp (~$84 USD)
Website: ($110 USD) https://baliparagliding.com/sawangan-site-nusa-dua/
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK Park)
Address: Uluwatu St, Ungasan, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Price in the show: 125,000Rp (~$9 USD)
Price is cheaper if you pre-book via Klook
Yoga in Canggu
I can’t seem to find the exact yoga studio but here’s the instagram of the instructor Nikki.
Episode 4-5, Bangkok
Ohungry @ Soi Ram Buttri
This is the restaurante where they had to play games with the customers to get the clue and earn some free food.
Address: OHungry, 45 Ram Buttri, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ohungry/
Artbox Bangkok
This is the fanciful nightmarket which is one of my favourite night market to visit! Prior to 2019, the artbox has a roving concept where they will change locations every few weeks or months. However, according to the new info online, this spot will be their permanent location for.. quite a while! If you’re keen, you can read my previous post(s) on my visit back in 2015 and 2016 and we even have a Singapore edition of it which went pretty viral.
In case you forgot, this is the place where they played the ‘throwing axe’ game and sang their theme song on stage!
Address: Sukhumvit 10 Alley, Chuvitgarden, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Accommodation: Arun Residences
Address: 36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Road, Rattanakosin Island, 10200 Bangkok, Thailand
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Address: Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand
It is about 1.5-2 hours from Bangkok town so it is advisable to hire a driver for your return trip or perhaps find a day trip tour to join! Floating Markets seemed to be something uniquely thai. It is worth giving this experience a try (especially eating on the boat) as it is a really refreshing feeling.
Rental of boat: 500B (~$16 USD) for 1 hour Check Prices from Klook
Episode 5-6, Chiangmai
Accommodation: Rice Barn and Rooms
Address: 428 Moo 7, Nam Phrae, Chiang Mai , 50230 Hang Dong, Thailand
Grand Canyon Water Park
Address: 202 ถนนเลียบคลองชลประทาน Nam Phrae, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
This Water Park which looks a little like the wetter version of USA’s Grand Canyon is the remnants of a quarry. There are many activities here and you can choose to pay for just entry, or pay more for various activities including waterpark access, wakeboarding, cliff jumping, kayaking and many more!
Prices from Klook (Have packages with transport)
Kiet Ocha Khao Man Gai – Lee Seunggi’s Lunch
Lee Seunggi’s Lunch near Chiangmai University
It has a 3.9 Star rating on Google Maps.
Address: 41-43 Intrawarorot Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Anchan Noodle – Jasper Liu’s Lunch
Jasper Liu’s Lunch near Chiangmai University
It has a 4.2 Star rating on Google Maps.
Address: 19 1 Siri Mangkalajarn Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Kiet Ocha Khao Man Gai – Lee Seunggi’s Lunch (Part 2)
Lee Seunggi’s Lunch (Part 2) near Chiangmai University
It has a 4.2 Star rating on Google Maps. The noodles only cost 60 Baht (~$1.94 USD)
Address: Soi Inthawarorot 3, Si Phum Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Chiangmai University
This place is totally not a tourist attraction, but oh wells, they had a good workout with that game!
Address: 239 Huaykaew Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School (Lee Seunggi)
Address: 6 Sri Poom 8 Alley, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Website: http://www.zabbeleecooking.com/course.html
Price: 1,300Baht (~$42 USD) including transport
Noina Art Studio (Jasper Liu)
Address: 315 Moon Muang Road, Lane 9 T. Sripoom A. Muang Chiang Mai Thailand 50200, Thailand
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Art-Gallery/Noina-Art-Studio-304633419554649/
Pricing: 200 to 300 Baht ($6-9 USD) per hour
Episode 7-8, Pokhara
Accommodation: Rice Barn and Rooms
Address: Gaurighat, Lakeside- 06, 33700 Pokhara, Nepal
Room Price in the show: 17,500 Rs (~$145 USD) Check Price
Dhampus Village Hike
From the drop-off point, it takes about 3 hours to reach the top. According to reports, the chances of seeing the Annapurna range is about 30-40%. It definitely seems like a very pretty hike.
Phewa Lake
They rented a boat for 600Rs (~$5 USD) to get to Barahi temple in the middle of the lake.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhojan griha, Nepali Restaurant
Rating of 4.2 Stars on Google Maps.
Address: डिल्लीबजार सडक, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Episode 8, Seoul
Seoul Water Taxi, Seorae Island Station
Do you know that you are able to rent water taxis and hop across the various stations along the han river?
1st: Banpo Hangang Park
2nd: Jamwon Station
3rd: Jamsil Station
4th: Ichon Station
5th: Ttukseom Han River Park
Seoul Olympic Park
Address: 424 Olympic-ro, Oryun-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Rusty Private Lounge (Dining), Cheongdam
Address: 14-1 Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
************
Parting thoughts: I really love the fan moment in the last episode and the fact that they could still remember their fan names. I believe that staff did not inform them prior as they looked really surprised to see the first fan. It’s very amazing for the production crew to fly them over to Seoul and for all of them, it was their first visit to South Korea. There are many fans all over the world who would probably never get to visit South Korea (be it due to monetary constraints, commitment etc.) and I’m very glad that ‘dreams do come true’ at least for 5 fans.
Another thing I want to highlight was that the production crew was very sincere in fulfilling the chosen fans’ recommendation. When ‘Chiangmai University’ came out as one of the locations, I was on a ‘are you kidding me?’ mode as I know there was more to Chiangmai than playing a game of Sepak takraw (kicking the rattan ball). Moments like this, though disappointing at the start, later became a strong plus point in me recommending this show. There were many real interactions with the locals (of which many do not give them any chance when they are ‘competing’) and the kindness given to random fans they met along the way, stopping for selfies and stuff. Everything (or perhaps most of it) felt genuine and I can somehow feel the warmness of the relationship.
I definitely hope to see more of such shows in the future!
Lee Seunggi did a similar thing in “Noonas over Flowers”, a really fun series which I highly recommend.
yea he is such a master in such variety shows! I actually haven’t watch Noona over Flowers. The only one I watched was Youth Over Flowers. Maybe I shall give that a shot! I quite enjoy the other one where they have to set up restaurants overseas. I think it was called Yoon’s Kitchen or something.
Dear Diane,
Thank you very much for this reading material with pictures. I truly love the variety show Twogether and have watched it so many times already and seems I will never get tired of watching this and still laughing out so loud when i can, softly giggling when the environment calls me to. This is so timely with this pandemic with covid we have that i pray will end very soon (respecting the God’s will of course). Divine Providence will always be manifested, i am sure of this. I did enjoy Noonas over Flowers too. In the meantime work from home is the mode plus Twogether n Noonas over flowers for Granny Elvi from the Philippines. Again, Diane, thanks, more than a million.