505 - Gravity Special #3

Aired on: 05-11-2016

Guests: Yang Se-Hyung

Episode at a glance (minor spoilers):

It is a continuation from the previous episode on the zero-gravity flight. They did some missions, like spinning in air, posing as superman etc. The next day (without Myungsoo, who disappeared), they carried on their training on this machine that could simulate different levels of gravity. 

They then when to goof around in a real spacecraft before meeting a real astronaut. The astronaut brought them around the retired space station and showed them how astronauts lived in space. 

The last segment was a supposedly space-related quiz to test the member's knowledge.

My Review (minor spoilers):

Every part of the zero-gravity flight was interesting and made you wish you could experience it for yourself. Se-Hyung is really witty thoughout, creating moments for himself such as the tricking of Jun-ha, random russian-babble and the $100 gynmast-pose bet. I think he is a natural fit for variety and his official addition will come soon enough.

Overall, the space special was nicely done. Carefully executing humour while retaining the serious nature of the project. This project certainly made the ordinary-viewer (who probably wouldn't watch a space documentary) in me more interested in space. 

Backstory, Reference, Inside Jokes:

1) The space special was first announced in Ep 419 (March 2015) with the expected execution date to be end of 2015. Due to some complications, it was delayed, and in Ep 463 (Jan 2016), they did a parody of Martian to tie in with the space special. 

2) With the completion of this project, they have finally completed the 5 challenges announced for the 10th anniversary of IC in 2015. 

Entertainment Rating: 3.5/5

Meaningful Rating: 5/5 

Episode Rating: 7.5/10

504 - Gravity Special #2

Aired on: 29-10-2016

Guests: Yang Se-Hyung

Episode at a glance (minor spoilers):

The IC members trains to be an astronaut. The first training is to eat while being flipped upside-down, the simulate the eating process in space. The second training is to be tied to a horde of helium balloons, to simulate different level of gravity in space. They then fly to Russia, had a little sight-seeing and then went on the zero-gravity flight.

My Review (minor spoilers):

I watched the start, was bored and skipped the rest of the episode.... until a week later. After "eating" training, the rest of the episodes were just wow, woah, wow, WOW. IC really know how to reduce your expectations first and then give you the wow factor after. Never even knew some of these trainings could be done/existed.

Backstory, Reference, Inside Jokes:

1) The space special was first announced in Ep 419 (March 2015) with the expected execution date to be end of 2015. Due to some complications, it was delayed, and in Ep 463 (Jan 2016), they did a parody of Martian to tie in with the space special. 

2) With the completion of this project, they have finally completed the 5 challenges announced for the 10th anniversary of IC in 2015. 

3) Jung Jun-ha is now the ambassador of Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation. LOL. He was sent to Africa twice during IC in recent years, first in Ep 430/431, and then again in Ep 441,445. The first time, his arc with the elephant named "doto" was very well-received.

Entertainment Rating: 4/5 (would be a 5/5 if not for the slow start)

Meaningful Rating: 4/5 

Episode Rating: 8/10