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| ▲ This photo provided by Netflix shows Jung Jong-yeon, producer of the two seasons of its original Korean reality show "Devil's Plan." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- Lost in StarlightNotoriety is also a form of fame.
Netflix's brain survival show "The Devil's Plan: Death Room" (hereafter "The Devil's Plan 2") has become both the most criticized and the most talked-about entertainment program among viewers recently.
The overwhelmingly winner-takes-all format, the participants' choices to concede rather than win, and the winner’s attitude all sparked intense backlash from viewers.
Despite the ongoing controversy online, "The Devil's Plan 2" topped the non-drama TV buzz rankings in the fourth week of May, according to the FunDex data by Good Data Corporation. Five of its cast members swept the top five spots in the individual buzz category.
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| ▲ Jung Jong-yeon, producer of Korean reality show "Devil's Plan," speaks during the show's press conference held in in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on Sept. 4, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
At a cafe in Jongno, Seoul, on Tuesday, PD Jung Jong-yeon and the season’s winner Jung Hyun-kyu opened up about the public's response.
PD Jung said, “If the contestants are being criticized by viewers, I feel even more sorry about that. All criticism should be directed not at the cast, but at me—the one who designed the game.”
He pointed to the structural disparity between the "Prison Zone," where losers stay, and the "Living Zone," where winners reside, as a major reason behind the criticism.
In "The Devil's Plan 2", after one game on the first day, lower-scoring participants are locked up in a harsh prison environment. They wear prison uniforms and are served only hard bread and porridge. Additional elimination games take place in the prison that day to determine who gets sent home.
By contrast, higher-scoring participants enjoy a comfortable, risk-free life in the Living Zone.
Jung explained, “The prison zone had a system that determined final eliminations, which created a desperate atmosphere and compelling underdog narratives. Meanwhile, the Living Zone’s structure made it hard to develop a true survival storyline.”
He also said that the nature of the elimination game meant the cameras were naturally focused on the prison zone.
“The reason behind the participants in the Living Zone appearing to yield victories to one another wasn't shown in the broadcast,” he explained. “They lived together and bonded while sharing the joy of victory, which created empathy.”
Regarding the lack of competitiveness among some participants in a survival game, Jung added, “It’s not that they didn’t want to win, but rather that they valued the bonds formed through the game more.”
Winner Jung Hyun-kyu became the subject of criticism despite winning 380 million won in prize money.
In particular, his aggressive tone and attitude during the survival game process were points of contention.
“I was so focused on winning that I may have come off too strong or said some aggressive things that made viewers uncomfortable,” he said tearfully. “But I’m not such a bad person in real life.”
He added, “I have no plans for future entertainment activities or broadcasts for now. I’m going to take a break and focus on healing.”
As for rumors about his breakup with Sung Hae-eun, whom he dated after appearing on the dating show "Transit Love", he gave a careful answer.
“We gained popularity as a couple, but I didn’t want us to be turned into a product,” he said. “We cared for and protected each other a lot and still support one another.”
PD Jung, who previously created successful brain battle shows like "The Genius", "Girls' High School Mystery Class", and "Great Escape", left open the possibility for a third season despite the criticisms this time.
“If even one person looks forward to it, I’d like to make it,” he said. “For Season 3, I want to completely change the format and show something new. The title of the program might even change.”
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