House on Wheels: Beyond the Ocean Episode 5: A Dawn Adventure in Sapporo's Tuna Auction and Heartwarming Feasts
Step into the whimsical world of House on Wheels: Beyond the Ocean, where Korean stars Sung Dong Il, Kim Hee Won, and Jang Na Ra trade city lights for Hokkaido's serene landscapes. In Episode 5, the trio embarks on an unforgettable early-morning quest for the freshest tuna in Sapporo, forging unexpected friendships and hosting a star-studded feast for special guests Ji Seung Hyun and Kim Jun Han from Good Partner. If you're a fan of K-variety shows, Japanese travel, or mouthwatering seafood adventures, this recap has it all!
The Crack of Dawn: Journey to Sapporo's Tuna Auction
As the clock strikes 2 AM in Otaru, Jang Na Ra stirs awake in their cozy mobile home, determined to score the ultimate breakfast ingredient. By 4 AM, she's rousing Sung Dong Il and Kim Hee Won for a sleepy drive to Sapporo—Hokkaido's bustling gateway city, famous for its Snow Festival and crisp beers. But at this hour? They're headed straight for the Sapporo Tuna Auction, the earliest market in town.
Key Moment: Arriving at 5:40 AM, the group secures viewer passes and ascends to the third-floor observation deck. Amid buzzing three-wheeled carts and pristine seafood displays, the auction kicks off at exactly 6 AM. Massive, glistening tuna—some as big as coffins—line up for bidding. Wholesalers flash prices on boards, and ties are settled with rock-paper-scissors. One tuna fetched $3.47 million in 2019—talk about high stakes!
Japan devours 80% of the world's tuna, and Hokkaido's oceans supply the cream of the crop. The energy is electric: auctioneers shout to hype the crowd, and buyers label winning lots with bidder numbers. It's over in eight frantic minutes, but the thrill lingers.
From Auction to Morning Market: Scoring Fresh Tuna on a Budget
Post-auction, the hunt intensifies. Tourists flock to overpriced stalls, but Na Ra's crew discovers a hidden gem: the adjacent Sapporo Morning Market, open from 5 AM to 11 AM. Here, auction-fresh fish sells at wholesale prices. A chance encounter with Korean-Japanese vendor Sung Jin—a former Seoul resident who moved for love—leads to a personal escort.
Sung Jin, donning a wholesaler's hat, guides them to a stall with a 30kg tuna auctioned just 30 minutes prior. The vendor wields a sword-like knife to dissect it live: lean back loin for steaks, marbled otoro (fatty belly) for sashimi, and even scraped rib meat—a YouTube-famous delicacy. Total haul? Steaks and sashimi for six, plus bonuses like urchin roe, all for a shocking 16,100 yen (~$110 USD). "The elasticity is like my skin," Na Ra quips enviously.
Pro Tip for Travelers: Reserve auction viewing in advance via the official site. For budget buys, hit the morning market—far cheaper than tourist traps!
A Spontaneous Invitation: Japanese Home-Cooked Breakfast
In a serendipitous twist, Sung Jin invites the group to his home for breakfast. His multicultural family—Japanese wife and two adorable daughters—welcomes them warmly at 8 AM. Over homemade Hokkaido staples like potato rice cakes, pickled fish, octopus salad, and pork miso soup, stories flow. Sung Jin shares his whirlwind romance: proposing over the phone after visa woes and parental opposition, now paying off a $500K home loan in blissful Sapporo suburbia.
The meal is authentic and intimate—no spoons for soup (slurp from the bowl!), and the kids' crayon doodles dot the yard. As gifts, the hosts receive Korean aged kimchi, perilla leaves, and T-shirts. "This is why travel is magic," Dong Il reflects, leaving with full hearts (and bellies).
Guest Stars Arrive: Reunion with 'Good Partner' Duo
Relocating to a birch-forested campsite in Furano-Biei—Hokkaido's summer postcard paradise—the group preps for Na Ra's guests: actors Ji Seung Hyun and Kim Jun Han. The duo, fresh off a flight, pulls up in a white rental, staging a hilariously awkward "surprise" entrance. Hugs, goosebumps, and instant banter ensue as the five settle into the eco-friendly House on Wheels.
Over coffee and Na Ra's favorite sweets (gummies and chocolate-dippable biscuits), they bond. Jun Han, a former drummer who backed Na Ra's 2000s hit "I'm A Woman Too," reveals his acting pivot. Seung Hyun recounts his arc from heroic General Yang Gyu in Korea-Khitan War to the nation's most-hated adulterer in Good Partner—earning Na Ra's proud laughter.
The Feast of the Season: Hokkaido Tuna Extravaganza
No House on Wheels episode is complete without a meal, and Episode 5 delivers a seafood symphony. Using their dawn bounty:
- Tuna Steak: Seared on the griddle with butter, garlic, and sesame oil—thick cuts melting like butter.
- Fatty Tuna Belly Rice Bowl: Half rice, half otoro, topped with raw egg, radish sprouts, and kelp for texture.
- Urchin Roe Rice Bowl: Luxurious uni over rice, savored like "pudding."
- Hee Won's Sushi: Fresh tuna and urchin roe rolls, born from his "three-day expertise."
- Pork Aged Kimchi Stew: A spicy Korean counterpoint to the light seafood.
"It melts in your mouth—clean, fragrant, and fresh," Seung Hyun raves. The $150 tuna haul (exaggerated for drama) feels priceless. Na Ra's petite steak portion? "You're more important than Seung Hyun," Dong Il teases.
Viewer Reaction: Fans are buzzing online about the "tuna blackmail" and emotional farewells—#HouseOnWheelsEp5 is trending!
Campfire Tales and Teasers: Bonds That Last
As dusk falls, Jun Han masters his first campfire (pyramid-style with fire starters), and the group roasts marshmallows under Hokkaido's starry sky. Conversations turn heartfelt: acting journeys, family quirks, and Na Ra's "fake mom" role in Seung Hyun's daughter's photos. Laughter echoes, but the night ends bittersweet—no one joins the road trip, though promises linger.
Teaser alert: Episode 6 promises flower fields, hidden viewpoints, Na Ra's pasta debut, and a mysterious $20K reveal. Will the family devour it all?