Na Young-seok’s New Show ‘Why Hike?’ Hits Netflix Aug. 18

PD Na Young-seok is trading his familiar travel-show turf for the mountains this time. His new Netflix collaboration, 'Why Hike?', co-directed with PD Park Hyun-yong, follows four cast members who have little to no history with hiking as they're pushed onto winter peaks. The two directors reportedly started out developing a game-themed show, but after meeting the cast and clocking their stamina — and potential for chaos — they pivoted the whole concept to mountain climbing.

The lineup includes singer-songwriter Car, the garden; band drummer Doeun; actor Lee Chae-min; and Tarzan, of the group ALL DAY PROJECT. Several cast members reportedly signed on thinking it was a standard travel show, only to learn later that 'travel' actually meant a winter mountain trek — a reveal that apparently left them stunned.

Filming kicked off on Seoraksan in Gangwon Province, then moved on to Taebaeksan and Hallasan. During the Seoraksan leg, the wind chill reportedly plunged to -27.5°C (roughly -17.5°F), and the brutal cold visibly wore down the cast's stamina.

The production team says it prioritized capturing raw complaints and moments of cast members looking out for one another over staged tears at the summit. Instead of the triumphant sunrise shots typical of hiking shows, the standout moments reportedly come from cast members too exhausted to even register the scenery — which apparently became a comedic highlight in itself.

Over the course of the trek, the four naturally settled into distinct roles: one handling gear and supplies, one in charge of transportation, one mediating between crew and cast, and one acting as the group's de facto spokesperson. The clashing personalities and stamina levels — and how their dynamic shifts as a result — are pitched as another draw of the show.