[Dispatch=Reporter Kim So-jung] Entertainment industry's renowned "1.5-ranked" figures have gathered. Yoo Se-yoon, Jang Dong-min, Boom, Yang Se-hyung, and Huh Kyung-hwan. They threw themselves into a mountain, not a studio, for only "survival" and "laughter."

MBC's new entertainment program "The Best Mountain" has been unveiled. Director Kim Myung-yeop, who proved his directing skills through "Radio Star," took the megaphone, and the production team of "Around the World in 80 Days" rallied together.

The production presentation for "The Best Mountain" was held on the 28th at the Golden Mouse Hall on the first floor of MBC in Sangam, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It is unusual for a pilot program to hold a production presentation. It shows just how much MBC is backing and anticipating this project.

The five were resolute. Though wearing the guise of a mountain-climbing entertainment show, in reality it is a fierce survival battle over the spot for 2026's Best Award. For realism, Director Kim Myung-yeop held the microphone in climbing attire.

This project began at MBC's entertainment awards ceremony at the end of last year. At that time, the Best Award nominees were Yoo Se-yoon, Jang Dong-min, Boom, Yang Se-hyung, and HaHa. Yoo Se-yoon, who received the award, called the rest "losers," turning the scene into a sea of laughter.

Director Kim said, "These hyungs' careers combined amount to nearly 100 years of veterans. As I looked for things we hadn't done with them, meetings kept going to the mountains. So we actually ended up going to the mountains."

The reason HaHa was excluded was simple. He is currently appearing on SBS's popular program "Running Man" at the same time slot. Director Kim sent an SOS to Huh Kyung-hwan.

Director Kim said, "I met Huh Kyung-hwan about four times on 'Radio Star.' It's what you might call buying at low points—I wanted Huh Kyung-hwan when he wasn't as popular. Recently he has it all—physique, appearance, and topicality."

Director Kim said Huh Kyung-hwan's role is "Dex." "Huh Kyung-hwan is a catfish character, but if I had to say, he's the Dex of 'Around the World in 80 Days.' Wouldn't he be the Dex for our program? I'm even looking at Huh Kyung-hwan for the Best Award," he smiled.

Huh Kyung-hwan said, "I've won the Excellence Award at all three networks. For the final Best Award, I want to make my start at MBC. Recently I've matured and been careful with my words and actions, but coming here it all fell apart. I realized I'm coming back alive," he laughed.

A preview video was also released that day. The five appear in awards ceremony formal wear and are then sent into the mountains. From quadrupedal running to horizontal bar games, bizarre missions unrelated to mountains poured out.

Mockery toward each other continued like breathing. The production team joined in. They relentlessly pushed the five. In response, Jang Dong-min said, "He's only thinking about becoming a star and doesn't see that current stars are gasping for breath," raising expectations for fun chemistry.

None of the five served as MC. Huh Kyung-hwan said with a laugh, "When it feels like we should be MC, we have a habit of stepping back." Jang Dong-min joked, "There's definitely an MC. Director Kim. Because he wants to become famous."

Boom said, "We're having fun among ourselves but he gets involved," and Yoo Se-yoon also said, "Director Kim gets involved too much even when he's involved. The subtitle of our program is 'Why Yoo Jae-seok Is Needed.' There's no one to center things," drawing laughter.

A trick of fate, perhaps. "The Best Mountain" faces off against SBS's "Running Man." Yang Se-hyung's younger brother Yang Se-chan is active there. Yang Se-hyung declared, "Se-chan, hyung is hyung," throwing down a gauntlet. But their mother apparently watches KBS2's "1 Night 2 Days."

"The Best Mountain" is planned as a pilot with five episodes. The survival condition is breaking 2% viewership in "2049." To beat "Running Man" and "1 Night 2 Days." The five shared their resolve for regular programming.

Director Kim emphasized, "If we surpass the viewership of both programs, I'll visit the president's office." Yang Se-hyung asked specifically, "Only one out of five?" When Director Kim couldn't answer, he showed resolve: "Make this clear here. Broadcasters always talk nonsense."

Boom pulled out Plan B. "If The Best Mountain's viewership drops, we can change it to 'The Best Water Mountain' and go to the sea," he previewed. Yoo Se-yoon promised, "If it becomes regular, I'll take a picture at the peak of Acha Mountain with a monkey gibbon expression."

Finally, Yang Se-chan said, "We prepared hard. I hope you laugh watching us and escape from difficult times." Boom pleaded, "The mountain is really nice. Please take healing and laughter with you. It's five episodes! Please help us."

Huh Kyung-hwan conveyed his ambitions: "When you see delicious food, can't we taste it instead? Watch it like you're searching for a taste mountain. We'll just try to make a program where you can laugh. We won't hold back," he said.

Director Kim said, "From the viewer's perspective, it's most fun when celebrities go through hard times. We challenge the Cheonwangbong peak on the Baekmudonggil course of Jirisan, which hasn't been covered in entertainment before. We've captured entertainment value, authenticity, and the fun of hard times in an engaging way," he asked for viewership support.

Meanwhile, "The Best Mountain" will air its first broadcast on May 3 at 6 p.m.

▲ Yoo Se-yoon

▲ Jang Dong-min

▲ Huh Kyung-hwan

▲ Yang Se-chan

▲ Boom

<Photos=Reporter Seunghoon Lee>