PD Hyeon Jung-wan reveals the first and second place winners of “Sullae Game”: “Malwang is straightforward, while Yoon Sang-hyun is experimental… I had a sense of anticipation” [★Full Interview]

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PD Hyun Jung-wan, who served as an assistant director for the legendary chase segment on MBC's "Infinite Challenge" in the past, has cultivated a dedicated fan base with his main-directed work "Blood Game," and is now solidifying his reputation as a "survival expert" by presenting "Tag Game."

"We had in mind someone who could excel physically, intellectually, and politically when we reached out to them." PD Hyun Jung-wan made a bold attempt to unfold various genres of survival within a single piece of content, providing viewers with non-stop dopamine.

PD Hyeon Jung-wan recently met with StarNews for an interview about the Disney+ variety show "Sullae Game" at a cafe on Bukchon-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

"Sulrae Game," the new project by PD Hyeon Jung-wan of "Blood Game," is an extreme experiential chase survival variety show that combines the familiar tag game with the tension of a psychological battle. First released on September 30, "Sulrae Game" consists of 10 episodes, with Episodes 7 and 8 set to be released simultaneously on the 14th.

The cast of "Sullae Game" included Hwang Jae-gyun, Pponey Bottle, Kyung Soo-jin, Malwang, Jang Eun-sil, Park Ji-min, Kim Ddol-ddol, Yang Da-il, Yook Jun-seo, Ji Ji-won, Shin Ji-eun, Yoon Sang-hyeon, and Lee Joon-soo. In particular, Hwang Jae-gyun entered the survival format after retiring from professional baseball, while YouTuber Malwang boasted an overwhelming physical presence along with an unexpected "brainy character" persona.

YouTuber Kim Ddol-ddol was active with political commentary and humor, while Lee Joon-soo, the son of actor Lee Jong-hyuk, was reborn as "Tong Joon-soo," a persona known for not hesitating to betray or collude, in contrast to his cute image from the past MBC variety show "Dad! Where Are We Going?". Actor Yoon Sang-hyun stood out with exceptional speed by leveraging his strength as a relay runner during his school days. YouTuber Ppani Bottle and announcer Park Ji-min sparked a sense of imminent crisis amid their marital discord.

The directing skills of PD Hyeon Jung-wan and the performances of the cast members turned "Sullae Game" into a hot topic. According to an analysis by "LACOI," a broadcast content value information analysis system operated by the Korea Communications Commission's advertising promotion agency, kobaco, which surveyed the "OTT Variety Show Trending Cast Rankings" from September 28 to October 2, the 13th cast members of "Sullae Game" swept the chart from first to thirteenth place. Panny Bottle took first place, Lee Joon-soo second, and Hwang Jae-gyun third. Following them were Jang Eun-sil (fourth), Malwang (fifth), Ji Ji-youn (sixth), Park Ji-min (seventh), Yang Da-il (eighth), Yook Jun-seo (ninth), Kim Ddol-ddol (tenth), Yoon Sang-hyun (eleventh), Kyung Soo-jin (twelfth), and Shin Ji-eun (thirteenth).

In the final episode of "Sullae Game," released on the 21st, the top five survivors who made it through the extreme survival game—Hwang Jae-gyun, Malwang, Park Ji-min, Yang Da-il, and Yoon Sang-hyun—faced off in the final match.

Above all, the showdown between Malwang and Yoon Sang-hyun kept viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Yoon Sang-hyun skillfully utilized a "thief item" that allowed him to steal the "seeker" role from other players, a "stealth item" that prevented his location from being revealed to other players, and a "gambling item" that granted benefits if he could avoid being caught for a set period of time, driving his competitors to distraction. However, with just four seconds remaining before victory, he was caught by Malwang, swallowing his disappointment in frustration. After a grueling 10-hour battle, Malwang claimed the ultimate honor of winning the championship.

Malwang stated, "I think I showed what I am best at without being overly concerned with winning or losing. As a result, an opportunity came my way at some point, and my best effort became my ultimate choice." He added, "My channel subscribers often tell me, 'If you go all the way, Malwang will win.' Just as they said, I made it to the end, and Malwang truly won. Because I built good connections, gained a great experience, and achieved a positive outcome, I believe I am the happiest person."

What are your thoughts on the release of "Hide and Seek Game"?

▶ While it was challenging because it was a new IP, it was also enjoyable. Working on a project with Disney+ was also a novel experience. Domestic platforms typically release episodes simultaneously once the production is completed, but for projects on overseas platforms, editing had to be finalized about three months before the premiere. Since we could not show the content externally, we made an effort to actively incorporate feedback internally.

What was the internal reaction to "Hide and Seek"?

"It was good. (Laughter) We were unsure whether it would be entertaining or drag on, so after watching the whole thing internally together, we added some parts and cut others."

How was the game format of "Hide and Seek Game" conceived?

▶ In the past, I enjoyed serving as an assistant director for the chase segments on 'Infinite Challenge,' which inspired this concept. I felt that if we only played a Mafia game, the outcomes for the participants would be too unpredictable. So, I tried to make it more engaging by combining a chase with a story-driven Mafia game.

What criteria were used when selecting the location?

It had to be spacious because they needed to run, and obstacles were required so that the runners could not see each other. The camera director also ran alongside them, saying this was the most difficult shoot he had ever experienced. Approximately 100 cameras were deployed for the filming.

How were the participants recruited?

"We carefully considered whether to select existing participants or new ones. We reached out to candidates who we believed could excel physically, intellectually, and politically. As a result, we brought in survival show characters that were different from those seen before."

What first catches the eye is the appearance of Mr. Hwang Jae-gyun.

Hwang Jae-gyun said he originally enjoyed survival shows. His decision to appear on "Sullae Game" coincided with the period when he was planning to transition into broadcasting after retiring from his baseball career.

Pani Bottle and Park Ji-min have developed a deep connection with the PD after appearing in "Sulrae Game" following their participation in "Blood Game."

Both individuals are highly motivated, yet there is something missing in each of them, which makes the situation intriguing (laughter). The two are said to be natural rivals, but some changes may occur going forward.

Who were the participants whose unexpected sides were discovered after filming?

Yoon Sang-hyun exceeded expectations. I had wondered how well he would do since he said he liked survival shows, but he performed even better than I anticipated. I thought Lee Joon-soo might play the character of someone who smiles brightly while being targeted, but it turned out he was also capable of striking first from behind. Joon-soo called his father, actor Lee Jong-hyuk, to say that this was the most entertaining show among all the programs he had ever appeared on. (Laughter) I had high expectations for Kim Ddol-ddol because he is known for being good at Mafia games. I was curious to see how Yook Jun-seo, who is usually straightforward, would behave in a moment when he had to lie.

If there was a specific person that PD had originally expected to be "it," some viewers speculated that it might have been pre-arranged for Park Ji-min to take on the role.

▶ Park Ji-min was not chosen by consensus; he truly became the seeker at random.

As the director, what was the most thrilling scene to film in "Hide and Seek"?

"It felt incredibly refreshing when it was finally over. I shot the scenes day by day, and it was physically exhausting. We sometimes filmed for 10 days at a stretch, totaling about 20 days of shooting in all. This time, the cast members were so exhausted that they didn't even drink alcohol after filming."

How did people spend their time while in prison?

They really did stay still. It seems they grew closer through their conversations with one another.

Among the cast members, which combination did you find particularly interesting?

It was interesting to see the mutual rivalry between Mr. Malwang and Mr. Yoon Sang-hyun. Mr. Malwang was aggressive and straightforward, while Mr. Yoon Sang-hyun assessed the situation before making his move, creating a distinct contrast between the two.

What were the reactions from people around and viewers regarding 'Sullae Game'?

▶ Other PDs also said they found it interesting. Among the viewer reactions, one that stuck with me was, “This PD seems to keep making works with a certain sensibility for survival shows.” Some overseas viewers even asked, “Why did you eliminate that person?” I do enjoy the survival genre and have produced many such programs, so people tend to look for my work in that area. But I would also like to try producing a dating show. I actually submitted a proposal for a dating show before, but it didn’t get approved. (Laughter)

What differences emerged between the actual filming of "Hide and Seek" and the mock game?

▶ When we actually performed “Police and Thief,” it turned out to be a bit simpler. “Time of the Wolf and Dog” involved deduction, so there was a thrilling enjoyment in competing fiercely. The final match required us to give everything we had. There was something that proved more enjoyable than expected.

What kind of picture does PD paint in the dating program?

"It has a certain edginess. According to feedback from a director of a 10-million-admission film, the response was that it is 'still too early.' (Laughter)"

Is there a possibility of producing "Hide and Seek Game" as a seasonal series?

For now, we are preparing other content. The possibility remains open.

If there were a next season of "Hide and Seek," who would you like to invite?

"I enjoyed watching 'The Community,' so I'd like to invite 'Seungwoo's Dad' as well. It would also be fun if Dex appeared again."

There were also many YouTubers among the participants.

We did not reach out to them because they are YouTubers, but rather because we saw their character strengths. Mr. Malwang was very straightforward and had a good physical presence. Mr. Kim Doldoldol was skilled at playing Mafia games and spoke in an entertaining way.

What unexpected scene did you discover that was not captured on camera?

It was interesting that Jun-su, who is over 190 cm tall, hid in a narrow space where there was no camera.

What do you think is the reason why the survival genre has endured and not just been a passing trend?

▶ It seems that the characters become distinctly defined through the process of some dropping others. This is rarely seen in everyday life, but 'Squid Game' portrays human choices in such a way. I find myself thinking about what choices I would make, and feeling compassion for those who endure.

Having directed various survival shows, you must have directly discovered the diverse aspects of human nature.

At first, I thought, "People are kinder than I imagined." The contestants often found it difficult to betray one another and even shed tears, but I also realized that when people put on the mask of a role, their behavior can completely change. It became clear that someone who is usually kind and gentle can transform. I came to see humans as complex beings. I wondered whether Lee Jun-su might simply laugh innocently and then be eliminated, but he performed well in order to survive the competition. I heard that Lee Jun-su had been deeply engaged with the show because he really enjoys survival formats.

If there was anything you wished had been different while creating "Hide and Seek," what would it be?

I had wondered whether it was necessary for everyone to run in a pursuit, given that the term "pursuit" implies such an action.

PD Jeong Jong-yeon, who directed tvN's "The Genius," "Great Escape," and Netflix's "Devil's Plan," and PD Hyeon Jung-wan are considered the two pillars of survival reality show directing. I am curious whether the two have ever met each other.

"I have met PD Jeong Jong-yeon at an awards ceremony and once had a conversation with him over coffee. He gave me some good advice, and I believe I am still working hard to follow in his footsteps."

-Where do you typically draw inspiration from when planning content?

While watching various works such as films and dramas, I gain insights, and I also draw inspiration from console games. In survival games, the spatial composition of buildings is important, so I subscribe to and frequently watch the YouTube channel of architect Yoo Hyeon-jun.

It seems that survival shows are also divided into several categories, such as brain games and physical games.

Initially, the survival format was centered on board games, but it appears to have gradually expanded beyond mere mental contests to include a wider variety of elements such as politics. Viewers once tended to perceive participants in ways that aligned with their real-life personas, but they now seem to increasingly understand them through the lens of their in-game characters. Furthermore, while audiences previously favored formats dominated by a single standout figure, as seen with Hong Jin-ho and Jang Dong-min, there is a growing preference for games that feature diverse dynamics and require debate.

Did the previous work by PD , "Blood Game," attract a large number of dedicated viewers. What are the production plans for the next season of "Blood Game"?

I suppose there might come a time when I could do it.

What kind of enjoyment do you want to provide in the works you will direct in the future?

▶ I want to offer a variety of entertainment. Rather than functional survival shows like “Black and White: Lisa” or “Physical 100,” I would like to create a survival show that better reveals human psychology and political dynamics. I also want to try running a survival show over the course of 30 days.

Recently, a social trend has emerged in which citizens spontaneously gather on the spot to play a game called "Police and Thief."

"Coincidentally, while we were in the middle of filming our simulation scenes, 'Gyeongdo' (a portmanteau of police and thief) was trending. Thanks to that, we were able to conduct our simulations in open areas like plazas without being as self-conscious. If my previous work was deep, complex, and heavily structured, this time I aimed for a lighter approach."

The chase-themed special of the MBC variety show "Infinite Challenge," in which -PD participated as an assistant director, continues to be a popular and beloved content on YouTube.

▶ Classics seem to be timeless. I participated in “Run with the Money Bag” and the “Busan Chase,” but when I planned “Hide and Seek Game” this time, I revisited them. My wife is from a generation that didn’t watch the “Infinite Challenge” chase segments, so we watched it together this time, and it turned out to be content that people still find fun even when experiencing it for the first time.

Netflix's "Jang Dong-min Game" is the next project for the producer.

That is a battle of wits.

How will "Hide and Seek Game" be remembered as a work by the PD?

It was an interesting work. I hope it is a piece that can be revisited again. It is fortunate that a new type of survival show has been presented.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original