REVIEW: ‘Are You Sure’ Episode 8

Are You Sure Episode 8 sees BTS members Jungkook and Jimin continue to wind down, now on their last excursion (for the series) before their mandatory military enlistment. Throughout the series they’ve visited upstate New York, Jeju Island in South Korea, and, now, end their travels in Sapporo, Japan. The winter setting and chill demeanor of the stay, now post-snowboarding activities, lend themselves to the overall spirit of the series. Despite being members of the biggest band in the world, Are You Sure focuses fully on the two as young men simply about to enter a new chapter in their lives.

Part of the ongoing charm of Are You Sure has been the commitment to depicting Jungkook and Jimin less as idols and more as the 20-something-year-old men they are. Simply put, they’re a bit of a mess. For instance, Jungkook sports an impulsively self-trimmed bowl cut for the last two episodes. Appearances are hardly the primary concern. And while they will never fully be able to scrub themselves of the idol machine artifice, Are You Sure does its best to make them seem relatable.

Episode 8 continues this trend from the start. Heading to get a famous lamb dish, Jingisukan, their eyes are bigger than their stomachs as they seemingly order half the menu out of hunger. Even BTS travel series aren’t immune to the pull of food content, and Are You Sure focuses both on the gourmet cuisine they can indulge in along with the necessary convenience store stop on the way back to their lodging.

The complex they’re staying in strikes a middle ground between their stay in the U.S. and their stay in Jeju Island. While nothing will seemingly touch the close proximity of their first stay, which even an average person could hope to afford, their Sapporo location at least strikes a homey effect. Are You Sure is at its best when it hits the right balance between untouchable luxury and down-to-earth relatability, a near-impossible thread. It’s the two getting ready to go in a jacuzzi while also unloading an entire store’s worth of a single snack they’re addicted to.

Fans watching come from all walks of life and financial stability. For instance, I stay in Air BnB’s where the family renting it literally is inches above my face, their children waking me up each morning. But I also cleared out an entire aisle of grape-flavored snacks (in multiples) when traveling to Japan to bring back home. The point of Are You Sure is that we can at least understand their feelings, if not their situations. 

The episode is at its most fun when it simply leans into Jungkook and Jimin’s dynamic and the natural humor that comes from it. They’re no slouches regarding knowing when to turn the entertainment on. Still, it’s just as funny to watch them get increasingly intoxicated throughout the night until they make a late-night decision to make even more food to help soak the alcohol up. As is the case with this series, certain segments go on too long, such as the two watching over footage of their first episode. But even that comes with its charm, as Jungkook and the producers agree that they all were worried the show would be difficult to edit into something cohesive.

More than anything, Are You Sure Episode 8 feels like the official send-off as the two ready themselves for their military enlistment, a mandatory requirement for all Korean men. There are twinges of melancholy, especially as the two get ready in the morning to leave, but it doesn’t zap the show of its energy. There’s still plenty of energy and liveliness, especially as the two enjoy the jacuzzi after laying in the snow in the frigid outdoors.

Are You Sure Episode 8 is a relaxing and charming conclusion to a show that highlights Jungkook and Jimin’s dynamic. While not every episode hits the same level of engagement and succumbs to indulgent runtimes, the effect, like most BTS travel series, is winsome. We want to spend time with them and witness their adventures — and all the amazing food they get to try. Despite all their mishaps, stomach bugs, and aching muscles, the series is a success.

Are You Sure Episode 8 is out now on Disney+.