Kian84 Conquers the Arctic Race in 'Extreme84' Finale, Leaving a Lasting Impression

Kian84 triumphantly completed the final Arctic race in the 'Extreme84' series, marking a successful end to his journey.

In the final episode of MBC's variety show 'Extreme84,' aired on the 1st, Kian84 pushed beyond his limits to successfully finish the Polar Circle Marathon in the Arctic.

Having trained rigorously for the challenging Arctic race, Kian84 utilized his experience to pace himself throughout the competition. As he passed the 30km mark, he overcame his chronic nausea by chewing ice, surpassing the 36km point without vomiting for the first time. Reflecting on his improved condition, he remarked, “It feels rewarding to have trained. The remaining distance, which once seemed daunting, now feels surprisingly short and bittersweet.”

Despite experiencing muscle cramps near the finish line, Kian84 crossed it proudly, holding the Korean flag. With a time of 5 hours, 9 minutes, and 54 seconds, he placed in the upper-middle ranks. Overwhelmed with pride, he shed tears upon seeing Kwon Hwa-woon, who had helped him train. After the race, during the awards ceremony, he gifted Kwon a handmade first-place medal, despite Kwon finishing fifth.

After parting with his crew, Kian84 headed to Ilulissat, the final destination, for a glacier tour. Awed by the massive glaciers with 250,000 years of history, he enjoyed whiskey with glacier ice. Back at his accommodation, he savored ramen cooked with glacier water and marveled at the aurora, feeling rewarded for his hardships.

On the final morning, he concluded his extreme journey with a run amidst the Arctic scenery. Facing the breathtaking views, he wrote in his running journal, “Surpassing limits is not about muscles or stamina but reshaping my mindset. Running is not about defeating myself but understanding myself. I will keep running somewhere.”

In the studio, a ceremony was held to present a plaque of appreciation. Since founding 'Extreme Crew' in May 2025 and covering over 30,000km, Kian84 perfectly fulfilled his role as crew leader. Receiving the plaque, he shared, “I dedicated nine months to running, and it feels like a reward for that time.”

'Extreme84' captivated viewers by showcasing Kian84's extraordinary marathon challenges and relentless spirit. The show consistently gained viewership, with the ninth episode reaching a peak rating of 4.6% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea, demonstrating Kian84's popularity.

Kian84, known as a 'running icon,' has completed full marathon courses domestically and internationally, sparking a 'running boom.' From the 'Big 5 Marathon' in South Africa's safari region to the 'Medoc Marathon' in France and the 10km ice path in the Arctic, his genuine journey, filled with sweat and tears, conveyed both entertainment and heartfelt emotion.

Currently, Kian84 is a regular on MBC's 'I Live Alone' and will return as a guesthouse owner in the Netflix variety show 'Kian's Guesthouse Season 2,' set to release in 2026. Last year, he won the Best Male Entertainer Award at the 'Blue Dragon Series Awards' and the Entertainer of the Year Award at the 'MBC Entertainment Awards' for three consecutive years, solidifying his status as a versatile artist.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr