Netflix Announces New Brain Survival Show with Jang Dong-min as 'Architect'

Netflix has confirmed the production of a new brain survival variety show featuring Jang Dong-min, known as the 'God of Survival', and director Hyun Jung-wan, who helmed the '[Bloody Game]' series. The show has begun open recruitment for participants.

In this show, Jang Dong-min will take on the role of 'Architect' rather than a participant. He has previously won four times in various survival programs such as '[The Genius: Black Garnet]', '[The Genius: Grand Final]', '[Society Game 2]', and '[Bloody Game 3]'. Jang Dong-min, who married someone six years his junior in 2021, is a father of two. Notably, his eldest daughter, Jang Ji-woo, has been recognized as a top 1% linguistic prodigy.

This marks Jang Dong-min's first time participating as an architect, where he will design the entire game based on his extensive experience. The show promises a new form of entertainment by combining brain-centric strategies with various variables in a survival format.

Director Hyun Jung-wan has been noted for his tense narratives and meticulous compositions in the '[Bloody Game]' series. The collaboration with Jang Dong-min is expected to showcase participants' strategies and psychological battles in unpredictable situations.

The program began recruiting participants on the 8th. A released video features Jang Dong-min hinting at the program's concept with the phrase "Survive or be erased" and a message delivered via phone asking, "Are you confident?", adding to the tension.

Jang Dong-min stated, "There are blind spots in the game world that the production team can never know. I will fill in the gaps that only a winner can know. I will pour all my experience and know-how into creating a show that brain survival fans will enjoy." He added, "It will exceed any imagination of both participants and viewers."

Director Hyun Jung-wan expressed, "I hope 'real' people who have risked everything on winning, who would rather overturn the board than lose, will join. We look forward to many applications and much anticipation."

Applications for this brain survival variety show can be submitted through the provided link, and it will be available on Netflix.

Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr