On March 24, 2026, the bustling CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul became the epicenter of entertainment buzz as Netflix unveiled its newest original variety show, Lee Seo-jin’s Dalla Dalla. With actor Lee Seo-jin, producer Na Young-seok, and co-director Kim Ye-seul in attendance, the production presentation offered an up-close look at a program that’s already stirring curiosity among fans of travel, reality TV, and unscripted adventure.
At its core, Lee Seo-jin’s Dalla Dalla is a road trip through Texas—America’s second-largest state—guided by Lee Seo-jin, who unabashedly calls Texas his "second hometown." The show, released globally on Netflix on March 24, throws out the usual playbook: there’s no script, no rigid plan, and no guidebook itinerary. Instead, viewers are invited along for a journey shaped by Lee’s unique tastes and whims, with Na Young-seok and his crew in tow, sometimes bewildered, often amused, and always game for whatever comes next.
This isn’t the first time Lee and Na have teamed up for travel content. Their partnership stretches back to a 2012 special on KBS 2TV’s 1 Night 2 Days and has since produced beloved hits like Three Meals a Day, Youn’s Kitchen, and Youn’s Stay. Their chemistry—sometimes playful, sometimes prickly—has become a signature, and Dalla Dalla leans into that dynamic. As Kim Ye-seul PD described, “The two are like a bubbly female lead and a cynical male lead in a romantic comedy. Watching them together, you see a kind of banter and rhythm that only comes from years of working side by side.”
For Lee Seo-jin, the Texas setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s personal. During the press event, he explained, “The weather’s great and it’s a wonderful place to live. I’ve always said that Dallas is where I want to retire.” He pointed out some practical perks, too: “The best thing is there’s no state income tax. It’s a huge advantage. Because of the oil industry, there’s a lot of wealth, so people are relaxed and friendly.” Lee also highlighted Texas’s deep sports culture, noting, “Most American pro athletes come out of Texas schools. It’s really the starting point for professional sports.”
The show’s production approach flips the usual reality format on its head. Instead of the crew plotting out destinations and the celebrity tagging along, Lee Seo-jin takes the reins as a guide, crafting bespoke itineraries that reflect his own interests. Na Young-seok remarked with a grin, “Our trip isn’t something you’d find in any guidebook. I don’t think there are many people who travel like we do, but that’s what makes it fun to watch.”
And fun, it certainly is. According to bntnews, Na Young-seok confessed that Lee has a quirky travel ritual: “He believes it’s only proper to wear the merchandise of wherever we visit—like a team’s apparel or Disney gear if we’re at Disneyland.” Yet, there’s a twist. Na added, “He pressures us to buy merchandise, but he never buys anything himself. He tells us Americans all wear half-zip pullovers, so now we have a ton at home.” Lee’s tongue-in-cheek approach to guiding—sometimes grumbling, always looking out for his friends—has earned him the label of a "grumbling tsundere guide" among the production team.
The camaraderie between Lee and Na is no accident. Over nearly 15 years of collaboration, they’ve built a rapport that keeps viewers coming back. As Kim Ye-seul PD put it, “Even when Lee Seo-jin complains, he always comes through, and Na Young-seok is delighted to see it. Their relationship feels like a classic ‘rom-com’—the energy is just infectious.”
But Dalla Dalla isn’t just about laughs and inside jokes. The show is a spiritual successor to the 2020 tvN series Lee Seo-jin’s New York New York and its 2023 YouTube follow-up, but now with a Texan twist and Netflix’s global reach. As Lee explained, “This program started with our YouTube content ‘New York New York.’ When it came to Netflix, I felt I had to work even harder.” Na Young-seok echoed the sentiment, admitting, “It would be a lie to say there’s no pressure. I’m curious how Lee Seo-jin’s content will be received on Netflix.”
Kim Ye-seul also shared a behind-the-scenes tidbit about the technical side of production. “We were worried about filming quality, but Netflix provided us with the latest smartphones to ensure everything looked great. That’s when I realized just how global this platform is.” She added that working on a show where she simply followed along, rather than directing every step, was a new experience. “It was a chance to see different sides of Lee Seo-jin and to discover just how charming Texas can be. It’s more than a travel show—it’s about getting to know Lee Seo-jin as a person.”
The show’s format, with Lee as the architect of each day’s adventures, leads to some truly offbeat moments. Na Young-seok recounted, “We visited so many stadiums, even when there were no games. Then we’d hit up the merchandise shops, and Lee would recommend things but never buy anything himself. It was like being on a shopping tour, but with a twist.” Some destinations were so unconventional that even Google couldn’t have predicted them. As Na quipped, “We even went to a place with a famous pork bone stew just because Lee said it was the best, and it happened to be near a Samsung factory. That’s not something you’ll find in any guidebook.”
Lee’s passion for the concept is clear. “There are so many cities in the U.S. I want to explore, and I have a lot of ideas for future trips. If Netflix doesn’t want to continue, I’ll just move to another platform,” he joked. He also admitted that, except for a previous variety show, he hasn’t wanted to revisit old formats, but Dalla Dalla is different. “This is the one concept I want to keep going.”
Ultimately, Lee Seo-jin’s Dalla Dalla stands out for its blend of unscripted chaos, genuine friendship, and Lee’s offbeat approach to travel. It’s not just about seeing Texas through a tourist’s eyes—it’s about experiencing it through the eyes of someone who’s made it his own. For viewers, that means a journey full of surprises, laughter, and maybe even a little bit of envy for the freedom of the open road.
With its premiere now behind it, the show offers a refreshing take on both travel and reality television, inviting audiences to ditch the itinerary and embrace the adventure—one quirky stop at a time.