“What if Earth collapses?”···Yoo Seung-ho and BIBI are thrown into the artificial ecosystem ‘Biosphere 2’

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Actor Yoo Seung-ho appearing on EBS 1TV <The Last of Humanity>. Courtesy of EBS

EBS 1TV <The Last of Humanity> poster. Courtesy of EBS

EBS 1TV <The Last of Humanity> (premiering on the 4th) is extraordinary in scale. Joining actor Yoo Seung-ho are singer BIBI, now actively promoting the new single ‘BUMPA,’ and comedian Lee Eun-ji, a multitalented entertainer. The most striking element is the setting of the show. Their survival story unfolds inside the 12,700-square-meter artificial ecosystem ‘Biosphere 2’ in Arizona, United States.

It is intriguing that it bills itself not as variety but as a “survival-type science reality show.” The lineup of participating scientists is also impressive. Jang Hong-je, a professor of chemistry at Kwangwoon University, has appeared on the YouTube channels ‘Not Good Science’ and ‘BODA,’ and runs a personal channel called ‘Chemistry Ha-ak.’ Physician Lee Nak-jun (pen name: Hansaniga), author of the web novel <Severe Trauma Center> adapted for television; neuroscientist Jang Dong-seon, who appeared on tvN <Useless Knowledge 2>; and NASA Earth scientist Kim Han-gyeol bring the total cast to seven.

The story adopts the fictional year 2038, when Earth has been devastated by the climate crisis. The seven cast members selected as survival experiment participants arrive in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and receive a directive: “We will reveal the precise coordinates of the classified experimental base only to those who prove they can survive in the desert.” They search for clues across a stretch of sand with not a single drop of water. The camera captures that process like an observational documentary.

A view of ‘Biosphere 2’ in EBS 1TV <The Last of Humanity>. Courtesy of EBS

The experimental base ‘Biosphere 2’ could be called the “eighth cast member.” Inside the glass-and-metal structure are artificial ecosystems and living quarters, including a tropical rainforest, desert, savanna, and mangrove forest. Scientists who referred to Earth’s environment as ‘Biosphere (the biosphere) 1’ created this space to model Earth. In 1991, eight scientists voluntarily isolated themselves here to attempt self-sufficiency, but after two years they “failed” to sustain the ecosystem.

Over six days, the cast stays in Biosphere 2 and undertakes missions related to water, air, food, and waste-circulation systems, seeking methods of survival across eight episodes. With a special and a making-of added, it becomes a ten-part grand project.

On the 1st, at Glad Yeouido in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, EBS PD Lee Mi-sol, attending the <The Last of Humanity> production presentation, answers questions. Courtesy of EBS

PD Lee Mi-sol, who has steadily presented fresh science content on EBS, serves as chief director. In addition to orthodox science documentaries such as EBS <Docuprime> “Humans Seen Through the Brain” and “The Fourth Human,” she created the VR (virtual reality) content <POISON>, which lets viewers become the coronavirus and experience the process of infecting and destroying human cells. <The Visionaries> was a distinctive program that staged hypothetical crime scenarios arising from near-future technologies in an XR (extended reality) studio, followed by discussions of related ethical issues featuring actor Ha Seok-jin, neuroscientist Jang Dong-seon, and others.

“I mainly look for stories in science. The limitation is that a science subject matter is bound to be explanatory. The goal was, ‘do not explain, let people experience,’ and ‘let us create a situation where one cannot live without science.’” This is what PD Lee said at the <The Last of Humanity> production presentation held on the 1st at Glad Yeouido in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

It took one year from planning and location scouting to filming. Because Biosphere 2, operated by the University of Arizona, is still used as both a tourist site and research space, fine-tuned coordination was necessary. Lee explained, “Because it is still maintained as a sealed ecosystem, each of our actions could have an impact,” adding, “We earned trust through multiple scouting visits and communicated closely even when designing the missions. Even bringing in a single piece of equipment had strict rules. We filmed with full cooperation while coordinating every step.”

A scene from EBS <The Last of Humanity>. EBS YouTube screengrab

A scene from EBS <The Last of Humanity>. Courtesy of EBS

The cast was not limited to scientists because this program is not simply a “science problem-solving show” but a “survival documentary.” Attending the production presentation, Jang Dong-seon said, “Whether it is polar exploration or space exploration, it is often not machine failure or resource scarcity but people fighting one another that leads to self-destruction,” adding, “When I first joined, I thought hard about how to achieve harmony with the members, and after finishing the shoot I feel even more strongly that how people live together matters.” Yoo Seung-ho also said, “In the end, for survival, people are the most necessary, and laughter is necessary. I felt it would be good if Earth were filled with more love.”

Rather than merely talking about the gravity of the climate crisis, each mission seems designed to make viewers worry, ‘what if Earth really collapses.’ Lee Eun-ji said, “All of us cast members live somewhat glamorous lives in the spotlight, but if Earth is destroyed, none of that would matter.” BIBI said, “It felt as if I were looking at the inside of a ‘little Earth’ as a third party,” adding, “Rather than worrying ‘how will eight billion people manage a group project,’ I felt a sense of hope that we might be able to try.”

Lee said, “It begins like variety, but from the middle it proceeds like a documentary. And the latter part, where the historic space of Biosphere 2 and the cast blend, ends in a majestic way,” adding, “I would be grateful if you please watch to the very end.” Airs every Thursday at 10:50 pm.