Why Lee Seo-jin Went to Dallas, Texas: His Travel Reality Show "Ready or Not: Texas" Expands to Netflix

The Financial News – A travel reality show that combines actor Lee Seo-jin’s lifestyle with travel has finally made its way to Netflix.
Following tvN’s "Friday Joy Package – Lee Seo-jin's New York, New York" (2020) and "Lee Seo-jin’s New York New York 2" (2023), which was streamed on the Fullmoon YouTube channel, "Ready or Not: Texas" will be released today (24th) on Netflix for viewers around the world. This time, the destination is Dallas, Texas in the United States.

"Ready or Not: Texas," which reunites actor Lee Seo-jin and producer Na Yeong-seok, who have been close friends for 15 years, is a travel reality show set in Dallas, Texas, a city Lee considers his second hometown. Producers Na Yeong-seok and Kim Ye-seul, both new to Texas, follow Lee’s lead and itinerary throughout the show.
At the press conference held at 11 a.m. on the 24th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall, Na Yeong-seok discussed why Lee Seo-jin’s reality shows are so popular. He said, "His biggest strength is his unpretentious, natural charm," and added, "Because this is a trip where he goes to places he likes, sees what he likes, and eats what he enjoys, viewers will be able to watch in a very relaxed way."
Producer Kim Ye-seul explained how the show differs from conventional travel programs. "Unlike typical travel reality shows, the production team doesn’t take the lead. We follow instead," he said. "It felt less like a simple trip and more like a process of getting to know who Lee Seo-jin is as a person." He went on, "It turned into a special journey where we could experience his tastes together."
Why Texas? Lee Seo-jin answered, "Texas is getting a lot of attention in the United States these days, and after visiting several times, I felt the weather and environment were great, making it a very livable place." He continued, "I even thought that after I retire, I’d like to try living somewhere like this." He added more detail, saying, "Texas has strengths in sports, industry, and the economy, and people there are relaxed and kind," as he described what drew him to the region.
Although this project has expanded onto a global platform, the overall direction of the content has not changed much.
Na Yeong-seok said, "We worked hard to make sure that the free and casual style we had before wasn’t compromised just because the platform changed." He added, "Rather than something sensational, I hope people will see it as a healing reality show they can watch comfortably." Producer Kim Ye-seul shared a behind-the-scenes story, saying, "We often filmed on our phones, and when Netflix heard about that, they provided us with the latest smartphones."
Lee Seo-jin expressed particular affection for this travel reality show. While he said he has no plans to return to the previous reality shows he did with Na, he added, "Besides New York and Texas, there are many other cities I want to visit. I’d like to continue with this concept."
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter