The show's title also follows after its predecessor, which is itself a word play/parody on Boys Over Flowers (花より男子, Hana Yori Dango), a popular Japanese manga about four handsome young men.
[5] Producer Na Young-seok said the age gap was intentional during casting as they "wanted actors with more than 15 years of experience"[5] who were "wise, experienced and had great life stories to tell.
[9][10] Producer Na said he chose Eastern Europe as the show's destination because most Koreans are unfamiliar with it, praising Croatia as an "exotic" country with "strong colors, beautiful landscapes, and cultural heritage.
[6] Actresses Kim Hee-ae and Lee Mi-yeon also saw a boost in popularity after the show, with clothing and accessories worn by the former becoming sold out in stores.
[14][15] The show had a notable impact on tourism in Croatia, with Korean tourist arrivals rising sharply from 70,000 in 2013 before its airing to 147,000 from February to July 2014.