Comedian Jang Dong-min, long hailed as a "survival powerhouse," is switching roles — not as a contestant, but as the mastermind behind the game.
On the 8th, Netflix confirmed production of a new extreme brain-survival reality series co-created by Jang Dong-min and directed by PD Hyun Jeong-wan, and kicked off an open call for contestants starting today.
Jang Dong-min has proven his dominance with four total wins across high-stakes survival shows including The Genius: Black Garnet, The Genius: Grand Final, Society Game 2, and Bloody Game 3. Having outplayed rivals through mind games, psychological warfare, political maneuvering, and even in harsh environments, he now steps up for the first time as the architect who designs the entire battlefield.
The new program aims to be an ultimate brain survival where money, strategy, psychology, and wild variables collide. Drawing on his own experience, Jang will engineer the game’s overall structure and create scenarios so unpredictable that even contestants and the crew won’t see them coming.
Director Hyun Jeong-wan, known for the Game of Blood series, has earned attention for tightly constructed worlds and relentless tension. With the two teaming up, expectations are high for an even fiercer survival race and twists no one can predict.
The released recruitment teaser sets a gripping tone. In a dark room, Jang Dong-min appears to declare, "Survive or be erased," while a phone notification flashes, "Are you confident?" — daring challengers to step up. The production team hints this won’t be just another game, but an all-in, do-or-die showdown.
"Only someone who’s actually won can spot and fix the hidden gaps," Jang said. "I’m pouring in every ounce of know-how to build a survival game on a completely different level." He added, "Both contestants and viewers will face developments they never saw coming," expressing strong confidence.
The project begins full-scale production with the open casting call, and it’s slated to be released on Netflix.