Travel show bridges the generation gap
In order to have a good trip, you want to travel with the right people. Most of us like to travel with our friends, because they’re the same age and have similar interests. But the Korean TV travel show, Grandpas Over Flowers subverts this idea by putting a young host with four elderly hosts. The results are interesting and entertaining.
These days, it doesn’t take long for a Korean hit to get remade in Thailand. Starting April 23, viewers can tune in to True4U every Monday at 8.30 pm for the Thai version of Grandpas Over Flowers. The first episode sees 21-year-old actor Thiti Mahayotaruk (Bank) travel around New Zealand for 15 days with Udom Thongsang (Dom), 82, Nirut Sirijanya (Ning), 71, Chalit Fuangarom (Toom), 70, and Anek Intachan (Anna), 65.
S Weekly caught up with Bank to chat about us about his trip.
Before doing the show, did you hang out with old people much?
Bank: No. Since our ages are so different, it isn’t easy to communicate. We tend to have different interests. But during the show, I found that I enjoyed hanging out with elderly people. It was fun taking them to do things they’d never done before.
How did you feel about going on a trip with four old men?
Bank: The showrunners tricked me! They told me that I’d be travelling with four girls. When I arrived at the airport, I was surprised to see four grandpas there.
Have you ever worked on a reality show before?
Bank: No. Part of the charm of the show is that we were able to be ourselves. We were given a budget of 250,000 baht for the 15 days. That’s pretty big, but we spent it all on various things to make the grandpas more comfortable. So to earn a bit more money, I did some work on a farm. I learned how to cut down trees and how to feed sheep, goats and cows.
Was it your first time in New Zealand?
Bank: Yes. It’s a country that I’d always wanted to visit because the nature is so beautiful. And I wanted to try things like bungee-jumping and skydiving.
Did you get to try any of those activities?
Bank: Yes, I went skydiving. At the beginning of the trip, I mentioned that I wanted to try it. Later, Dom and Anna surprised me by giving me a ticket to go skydiving as a 21st birthday present. I was thrilled.
Were you scared?
Bank: I was scared when I was on the plane. I was worried that the parachute wouldn’t work. When I jumped, for a moment my mind went blank. It was an incredible experience. I saw spectacular views.
Did any of the older hosts ever scold you?
Bank: Not really. At first, Ning’s voice and facial expressions made me feel nervous. He taught me about some fundamental manners such as how to use serving spoons. I soon realised that he was just being kind and helpful.
Did any of the older hosts have any difficulties?
Bank: We did a lot of walking. Dom got knee pains and eventually had to sit in a wheelchair for a day.
What was it like to visit Hobbiton, the village from the Lord of the Rings?
Bank: It was really impressive. Many things were man-made but looked real. There was a tree that we couldn’t believe was fake until we touched it.
How did you feel on the last day of the trip?
Bank: Fifteen days may seem short, but we spent every day together and went through a lot. We developed a deep connection. Everybody cried on the last day. We made sure to meet up again after we got back to Bangkok.
Why should viewers check out this show?
Bank: Grandpas Over Flowers is interesting because it brings people of different ages together. It shows that the age gap doesn’t matter as long as you’re open to others.
