TV
TEO Unveils Exciting New Lineup for Early 2024: From 'Death Game' to 'My Child's Romance 2'
Starting with 'Death Game: Bet a Million Won' (hereafter 'Death Game'), TEO will roll out a diverse array of content including 'Manito Club', 'Food Enthusiast', 'Crazy Tour', 'Mystery Investigation Team 2', and 'My Child's Romance 2'.
▲ Netflix's 'Death Game: Bet a Million Won' Premieres Today (28th)
Premiering today (28th) at 5 PM on Netflix, the daily variety show 'Death Game' (directed by Kwon Dae-hyun) features a unique 1-on-1 intellectual showdown where the winner takes home a million won and advances to the next round, while the loser is immediately eliminated. The show promises to deliver intense suspense with its brain-centric survival format.
The lineup is impressive, featuring renowned figures like Lee Sedol, Hong Jin-ho, Pani Bottle, Yurisa, Seven High, Park Sung-woong, Chef Kwon Sung-joon (Napoli Mafia), Pengsoo, and lawyer Yang Na-rae. The show has already garnered significant anticipation from survival show enthusiasts. Notably, esports caster Park Sang-hyun and 'God Dong-min' Jang Dong-min, known for his victories in survival series like 'The Genius' and 'Bloody Game', join as commentators, promising a unique entertainment experience.
▲ MBC's 'Manito Club' Premieres February 1st
Set to premiere on February 1st at 6:10 PM, 'Manito Club' (directed by Kim Tae-ho) is an undercover real variety show centered around a group of people who know how to share. Participants are randomly assigned a 'Manito' relationship and must secretly deliver gifts without revealing their identities. The initial cast includes Jennie, Dex, Choo Sung-hoon, Noh Hong-chul, and Lee Soo-ji.
The five participants, who receive mysterious invitations to the Manito Club, will engage in a reinterpretation of the nostalgic 'Manito' game. The show promises unexpected excitement and tension as they secretly prepare and deliver gifts amidst a fierce battle of wits. The 'Secret Manito' segment that follows is also a must-watch, as the team embarks on an undercover mission to gift a special day to more people, delivering both laughter and warmth.
▲ 'Food Enthusiast' to Release 4 Episodes on TEO YouTube in February
'Food Enthusiast' (directed by Chae Song-yi) will release four episodes on TEO's YouTube channel in February. First released on the 12th, 'Food Enthusiast' follows Choi Kang-rok as he explores Japanese ingredients with a passionate 'enthusiast' perspective. Starting in Kagoshima, Japan, he delves into ingredients like katsuobushi, sweet potato shochu, and sardines, capturing attention with his unique and quirky approach.
Choi Kang-rok, who won 'Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War Season 2' after a re-challenge, is the sole regular cast member of this web variety show, making it noteworthy. The show's slow-paced direction and harmless charm have captivated viewers, earning reactions like 'Choi Kang-rok is a genre'. The first episode, titled 'Katsuobushi is My Friend', has surpassed 2.7 million views, heightening anticipation for the upcoming episodes.
▲ 'Crazy Tour', a Spin-off of 'Earth Marble World Tour', Premieres on ENA in February
A spin-off variety show based on the 'Earth Marble World Tour' universe is set to premiere. ENA's 'Crazy Tour', debuting next month, is a travel variety show focused on seeking out 'crazy' experiences. The cast includes Bi (Rain), Kim Moo-yeol, Pani Bottle, and Lee Seung-hoon (WINNER), who will take on activities and missions at 'crazy' locations worldwide, delivering intense catharsis.
Pani Bottle, known for his dedication to activities and challenges, will serve as a connecting link between the spin-offs. The chemistry between Bi, who never shies away from challenges, and Kim Moo-yeol, making his variety show debut, along with the candid and bold youngest member Lee Seung-hoon, raises expectations. The bromance and teamwork among the four are expected to deliver new dopamine highs.
▲ Netflix's 'Mystery Investigation Team Season 2' to Feature Gabi, Premiering in February
The adventure mystery variety show 'Mystery Investigation Team' (directed by Jung Jong-yeon), which tracks and solves scientifically inexplicable cases, returns for Season 2. Premiering on Netflix next month, 'Mystery Investigation Team 2' will feature new member Gabi alongside returning members Lee Yong-jin, John Park, Hyeri, Kim Do-hoon, and Karina, adding to the anticipation.
Season 2 promises to induce deep immersion with its solid world-building, upgraded design and devices, and unpredictable missions. The outdoor location shooting will enhance the scale, offering more thrilling investigations. The diverse characters and fantastic chemistry of the investigation team members solving bizarre cases are highly anticipated.
▲ 'My Child's Romance' Season 2 Premieres February 25th
Returning for Season 2, 'My Child's Romance' is also part of TEO's new variety lineup for next month. Airing on tvN STORY & E Channel, 'My Child's Romance 2' is a reality show that observes parents watching their children's romantic relationships and the children's growth through romance.
The show has established a new formula for generational empathy with its realistic parental reactions and youthful romance. Season 2 teases the appearance of 'national nephew' Yoon Hoo, raising expectations.
Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr
