On October 4th, Netflix's daily variety show 'Death Game: Bet on a Million' (hereafter referred to as 'Death Game') aired its third episode, which began with an unexpected twist. Hong Jin-ho, who had secured two consecutive wins against Lee Sedol and Seven High, made a surprising decision. Upon discovering that his next opponent was Pengsoo, Hong Jin-ho decided to forgo a third consecutive win, stating, "My signature is the number 2, so I'm satisfied with two wins and will stop here," securing a final prize of 15 million won.
Pengsoo made an unprecedented challenge as the first animal contestant in the history of brain survival games. Known for its poker face and ability to read opponents, Pengsoo appeared wearing a Seoul National University jacket, declaring, "I have no confidence. I have no confidence to lose," setting the stage for a tense showdown. Pengsoo's opponent was Yuri Sa, adding to the excitement.
Yuri Sa, an influencer and Mensa member with an IQ of 156, captivated attention with her admiration for Pengsoo. Known for her impressive presence in the 'Blood Game' series, commentator Jang Dong-min expressed high expectations, calling her "an incredible genius" and "one of the top players I've faced."
The main game of this episode was 'Love Wins All,' a game where players use randomly distributed cards like rock, paper, scissors, and love cards to bluff and bet, aiming to take all of the opponent's chips. The ability to falsely declare combinations was a key element. Jang Dong-min emphasized the importance of bluffing and psychological warfare, noting that beginners often experience luck in poker, predicting that Pengsoo might benefit from 'beginner's luck.'
Jang Dong-min's prediction proved accurate as Pengsoo's 'beginner's luck' led to a complete victory in a practice game. Despite having no prior experience with poker or hold'em, Pengsoo stated, "I'm lucky. I've come this far on luck alone. I will definitely beat a human brain." Yuri Sa, on the other hand, expressed tension, saying, "It will be a close match. I can't let my guard down."
Pengsoo's success continued into the main game. With bold bluffs and bets, Pengsoo unsettled Yuri Sa, who played cautiously with good hands but found herself increasingly pressured. Even when a golden opportunity arose in the 13th round, Yuri Sa chose to fold, prompting Jang Dong-min to comment, "Yuri Sa is possessed right now," and adding, "Pengsoo is no amateur. Much stronger in psychological warfare than I thought."
The turning point came in the 15th round. Yuri Sa, holding a strong card combination, attempted a bluff and bet, but Pengsoo's declaration, believed to be a bluff, turned out to be true. A rare 'Rock Triple' with a 0.86% probability appeared. Pengsoo secured victory after 18 rounds, defeating Yuri Sa. Commentators Park Sang-hyun and Jang Dong-min were left in awe, calling the result "shocking."
As the winner of 'Death Game' episode 3, Pengsoo earned a victory token and 10 million won. The next opponent, 'Black and White Chef' winner Napoli Mafia (Chef Kwon Sung-joon), added to the anticipation, with Pengsoo declaring a challenge for consecutive wins. Viewers are eagerly watching to see if Pengsoo will achieve a winning streak and claim 15 million won, or if Napoli Mafia will secure his first victory.
Meanwhile, 'Death Game' is a one-on-one brain showdown where the outcome is decided in a single match, airing every Wednesday at 5 PM on Netflix.
Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr