A candid Q&A with the Alvaro Vacances cast ahead of the show premiere

The trendsetting comedian Lee Su-ji and actor Jung Jun-won are among the stars forming a close-knit team for the new MBC reality program Alvaro Vacances, which premieres on the 19th. The cast reflects on bonding and the experience of working abroad that blends work with vacation.

Q1. How did it feel to do “part-time work” in Zanzibar and enjoy a vacation-like break? What stood out compared to other trips?
Lee Su-ji says that taking on a new part-time job brought interesting experiences, and the trip offered vacation-like relaxation, creating many joyful memories in Zanzibar. She noted that each day carried anticipation since they never knew what lay ahead, and working with unfamiliar schedules and new people made every moment feel new. She added that she had always felt excited about travel, and this time she kept that feeling throughout, feeling grateful and edged toward personal comfort.

Jung Jun-won remarks that usual travel tends to focus on tourist attractions, but this time the team connected with locals in places less accessible to travelers, which left a strong impression. He emphasized that the experience wasn’t just sightseeing but a chance to immerse in everyday local life, yielding a sense of accomplishment greater than usual travel.

Kang Yu-seok reflects on the value of experiencing Zanzibar by working alongside locals, noting how meaningful it was to blend into daily life and communicate with residents. He found that the unfamiliar environment and real-life interactions offered a memorable and special experience.

Kim Ah-young shares that Africa had long held a dream for her, and the trip delivered many fantastic moments. She describes how Africa surprised her with varied atmospheres across cities, not just savannahs and nature, and she felt she learned more about people and cultures through doing different part-time jobs.

Q2. Where was your dream most fulfilled?
Lee Su-ji says the safari tour, where endless plains spread before them, offered a sense of calm and healing, making a long-cherished dream come true.

Jung Jun-won calls the highlight the grand natural landscape, saying it exceeded expectations and fulfilled his deepest nature-related wishes.

Kang Yu-seok, who loves nature, cherishes the moments swimming with dolphins and witnessing diverse wildlife on the safari, with the scenery leaving a lasting impression.

Kim Ah-young, who enjoys travel and challenges, felt immense gratitude for being able to travel in this way and thanked everyone for the experience.

Q3. How did you find the chemistry among the four members? Any surprising traits about others?
Lee Su-ji notes there was no need to force harmony; everyone naturally cared for and complemented each other. She felt supported by the other three members and highlighted Jung Jun-won as someone who is always passionate and diligent, bringing positive energy to the group.

Jung Jun-won describes the experience as near-perfect, with everyone’s kindness and consideration making the time together enjoyable. He mentions Ah-young as exhibiting a different charm than her on-screen persona.

Kang Yu-seok praises Jun-won for his upbeat and thoughtful demeanor, Su-ji for her humor and warmth, and Ah-young for her quirky yet lovable energy.

Kim Ah-young explains how Jun-won often took a leadership role when group decisions stalled, and she admires the teamwork among Su-ji and Yu-seok, noting their ability to blend into a cohesive unit without pretense. She believes Su-ji’s energy and stamina enable global communication, and she found Yu-seok unexpectedly approachable and effective.

Q4. Any key points to watch for in Alvaro Vacances?
Lee Su-ji highlights the warm chemistry among the four actors and the healing found in nature, inviting viewers to focus on relaxation.

Jung Jun-won thinks the show’s watchpoint lies in the quartet’s chemistry, which naturally evolves to produce unexpected and funny moments.

Kang Yu-seok emphasizes the teamwork and the journey that blends work with adventure, providing diverse perspectives.

Kim Ah-young notes the enduring memories of the trip and believes the cast’s chemistry will be a major viewing point for audiences.

Alvaro Vacances airs on the 19th, Wednesday at 9 PM.