Production company TEO unveiled a new slate of works set to heat up January and February for the new year.
On the 28th, TEO said it plans to present a variety of content spanning genres and formats across January and February, starting with Death Game: Bet 10 Million Won (hereinafter Death Game), followed by Manito Club, Food enthusiast, Crazy Tour, Agents of Mystery 2, and My child's love 2.
▲ Netflix Death Game: Bet 10 Million Won episodes 1-2 premiere today (28th)
The daily variety show Death Game (directed by Kwon Dae-hyun), which premieres today (28th) at 5 p.m. on Netflix, is a 1-on-1 brainy, winner-takes-all match decided in a single game each week. It is a new-concept survival show that excludes politics and alliances and relies solely on intellect; the winner receives a prize of 10 million won and advances to the next round to accumulate winnings, while the loser is immediately eliminated, adding tense suspense.
The lineup is dazzling. Representatives from various fields, including Lee Sedol, Hong Jin-ho, Panibottle, Yuri-sa, Seven High, Park Sung-woong, Napoli Mafia (Chef Kwon Seong-jun), Pengsoo, and lawyer Yang Na-rae, will all appear, generating high expectations among survival show fans even before release. In particular, caster Park Sang-hyun, active in e-sports, and commentator Jang Dong-min, who won multiple survival series including The Genius and the Bloody Game and earned the title "God Dong-min," join as commentators, promising distinctive entertainment.
▲ MBC Manito Club premieres Feb. 1 (Sun)
Manito Club (directed by Kim Tae-ho), which premieres Feb. 1 (Sun) at 6:10 p.m., is an undercover real variety show with the concept of a gathering of people who know how to divide one gift into two. Cast members are randomly assigned manito relationships and must deliver gifts while keeping their identities secret. The first cast includes Jennie, Dex, Choo Sung Hoon, Ro Hong-chul, and Lee Suji.
After receiving a mysterious invitation, the five cast members who gather at Manito Club participate in a reinterpretation of the nostalgic "manito" game as an individual competition to start. Amid a fierce battle of wits where each tries to deceive the others about their identity, an unexpected flutter and a tension-filled chase unfold as they secretly prepare and deliver gifts for someone. The ensuing "secret manito" after the individual manito is another must-watch point. As a team, the members embark on undercover missions to give more people a special day, delivering both laughter and warm resonance.
▲ Food enthusiast to release four episodes on TEO YouTube in February
Food enthusiast (directed by Chae Song-yi), which has taken a short breather, will release four episodes on TEO's YouTube channel in February. Food enthusiast, first released on the 12th (Mon), is a deep-dive gourmet exploration in which Choi Kang-rok seeks out Japanese ingredients and delves into them like an enthusiast. Starting from Kagoshima Prefecture at the southernmost tip of Japan, he continues his journey with Choi Kang-rok's quirky and "enthusiast-like" perspective, exploring various ingredients such as katsuobushi, sweet potato soju, and sardines, garnering strong interest.
Notably, Choi Kang-rok, who wrote the comeback-to-win narrative in Culinary Class Wars: Cooking class war season 2, is the only fixed cast member in this web variety show, which makes it notable. The slow-paced direction and its harmless sensibility have captured viewers' hearts, prompting reactions that the genre is Choi Kang-rok. Episode 1, titled "Katsuobushi is my friend," surpassed 2.7 million views, and anticipation for episode 4 is rising.
▲ Spin-off of World Dice Tour, Crazy Tour, premieres on ENA in February
A spin-off variety show based on the World Dice Tour universe is also set to debut. ENA's Crazy Tour, which premieres in February, is a travel show that seeks out only "crazy" experiences. The four thrill-seekers Bi (Jung Jihoon), Kim Moo Yul, Panibottle, and Lee Seung-hoon (WINNER) challenge activities and missions at "crazy" locations hidden around the world, delivering intense catharsis for those starving for dopamine and thrills.
Panibottle, nicknamed "Dopamine Bottle" for his wholehearted approach to activities and challenges, will serve as the link connecting the spin-offs. The chemistry between Bi, who never shies away from challenges, and Kim Moo Yul, embarking on his first variety show challenge, plus the honest and bold image of the youngest member Lee Seung-hoon, raises expectations. Through the four men's bromance and teamwork, they are expected to deliver new dopamine.
▲ Netflix Agents of Mystery season 2 teases Gabee joining..to be released in February
Agents of Mystery (directed by Jung Jong-yeon), an adventure mystery show that tracks and solves bizarre incidents that cannot be explained scientifically, returns for season 2. In Agents of Mystery 2, which will be available on Netflix in February, new investigator Gabee joins existing members Lee Yongjin, John Park, Hyeri, Kim Do-hoon, and Karina, adding to the anticipation.
Season 2 is expected to induce deep immersion with a solid universe, upgraded design and devices, and unpredictable missions. With outdoor location shoots that expand the scale, it will present more thrilling investigations. Above all, it raises expectations for the diverse characters of the investigators who solve bizarre cases and their fantastic chemistry.
▲ My child's love season 2 is coming..premieres Feb. 25 (Wed)
My child's love, returning for season 2, also tops TEO's February new variety lineup. tvN STORY & E Channel's My child's love 2 is a dating reality show that tells the stories of parents observing their children's romances and of children growing through relationships.
It completed a new formula called "dating show," a generational empathy type that combined parents' realistic reactions and youthful romance. Season 2 teases the appearance of the nation's nephew Yunhoo, raising expectations.
[Photo] Provided by TEO
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