Muhan Dojeon (Korean: 무한도전, Hanja: 無限挑戰, Abbr.: Mudo) is a Korean television entertainment program, distributed and syndicated by MBC. As of June and July 2009, it still has the largest market share for its timeslot, between 13.8 percent and 19.7 percent of Korean television viewers watched Muhan Dojeon at 6:40 PM every Saturday night.[2] This makes it the top free-to-air television program on Saturday evening, and also the most viewed non-drama program in South Korea every week (excluding special sporting events, since November 2006, with the exception of January 2009).[3][4] It has kept the same scheduled time, since first airing in 2005. Since 2009, it lasts for roughly 70 minutes, excluding ten minutes of advertising. Episodes are also frequently rerun on several Korean cable broadcasting channels.[5] [edit] Real-Variety Infinite Challenge has been reported as the first "Real-Variety" show in Korean television history.[6] The program is largely unscripted, and follows a similar format of challenge-based Reality Television programs, familiar to the audiences in the West, but the challenges are often silly, absurd, or impossible to achieve, so the program takes on the aspect of a satirical comedy variety show, rather than a more standard reality or contest program. In order to achieve its comedic purposes its 6 hosts and staff continuously proclaim, the elements of this show are the 3-Ds, Dirty, Dangerous, and Difficult.[7] [edit] History [edit] Season 1 The title of Season 1 was "Rash Challenge" (무모한 도전). At that time, hosted by Yu Jae-seok, 6 or more Korean entertainers (with Roh Hong-cheol and Jeong Hyeong-don as a joint panel) tried to challenge a 'sporting' mission in an outdoor studio, which was based on a viewer's suggestion through the show's homepage. For example, in one episode, the members were made to compare their strength to a 50-ton bulldozer by the members (and a guest) pushing a medium-sized car and the bulldozer pushing a bus. It lasted only from April 23, 2005 to October 22, 2005, and had strong supporters, however its average ratings were very low (roughly 5 percent). For this reason, reruns of Season 1 episodes are aired on MBC ESPN, MBC's satellite and cable network for sports-casting. [edit] Season 2 and 3 Aired from October 29, 2005 to April 30, 2006, the title of Season 2 was 'Excessive Challenge' (무리한 도전). For the first few episodes, it was fairly similar to the first season. However, because they wanted re-create their characters, they decided to change the whole program concept, calling it 'Infinite Challenge - Master of Quiz' as their third season. Since then, 6 hosts (Yu Jae-seok has managed as a 'host-in-chief') performed a Korean-letter game called 'Ah-ha'(see below) to compete in their knowledge, mental power, on-line popularity polls about some specific themes, and comic features.[8] And although the average ratings were low, the unity of the members has significantly improved. A panelist from Season 1, Park Myeong-su, came back as a co-host, and Ha Ha and Jeong Jun-ha also became co-hosts of this program. [edit] Season 4 Since May 6, 2006, the fourth and current season (format) of the programme 'Muhan Dojeon'(Infinite Challenge, 무한도전), went on air. Special coverage of 2006 World Cup Germany was featured for the entire month of June 2006, and some Ah-ha specials (with Shinhwa, for example) on their beginning. However, since July 8, 2006, the program began its memorable first-step as the first 'Real-Variety' television programme in Korean television history, with the airing of 'Please, come early' (일찍 와주길 바래, a part of the 'Please, be...' series see below), combining elements of both Reality TV and Variety programming, including Comic features from 6 'Infinite (Challenge) Members'(무한도전 멤버들, see 'hosts'). Thereafter, they have been making challenges with regard to anything which can happen in real life (excluding some critical issues such as politics, religions, and sexual references), in outdoor studios, with little acting or heavily-based plotting. Since December 2, 2006, it has received the highest ratings of prime-time lineups for Saturday evening.[9] [edit] Contents On Muhan Dojeon there are 6 male entertainers who face difficult challenges every week. Some of the absurd challenges include racing in a foot powered swan shaped paddle boat against a motor boat, playing a tennis match against Maria Sharapova, and appearing live on stage at a public fashion show. A large part of the humor comes from the fact that the cast is generally not well suited to the challenges they attempt. This program can be compared to the filmed-in-studio Wetten, dass..? of Germany, as the program mainly focuses on the process and progress of the challenges, rather than focusing on the accomplishment of a mission.[10] [edit] Occasional segments These segments are part the show but are only featured from time to time. - "Jimotmi" - Jimotmi which stands for 지켜주지 못해서 미안하다 (Jikyeojuji mothaeseo mianhada), which means 'sorry I could not look out for you' where the members play pranks on each other to see how they react.
- "Muhan News" - This comic-based newscast presents bits of stories which report events that happened to some or all of the members of Muhan Dojeon, and also reports some pieces of their life outside of Muhan Dojeon. As Yu Jae-seok, the moderator of this newscast, says at the beginning of the segment every time, the reason for this segment is 'just for fun', rather than focusing on the truth of reports. Recently, however, this segment has turned to focusing more on the actual truth of its reports and also keeping a balance between facts and humor.
- "Muhan Theatre" - The members of Muhan Dojeon present a conte (short-term comic stories) unexpectedly.
- "Please, be..."(series) - This segment was introduced to instill common principles to all of the members (apart from their trademark, 'selfishness'). '"Please, come early"' (Korean: 일찍 와주길 바래) and '"Please, be friendly"' (친해지길바래, featuring Ha Ha and Jeong Hyeong-don) were two memorable segments.
- Ah-Ha - This is a game in which one member says a word, and the next person says that word backwards. eg) Mu-han-do-jeon (Name of this program in Korean) - Jeon-do-han-mu. This segment premiered in the 2nd season (Muhan Dojeon - The master of Quiz).
- "Ha & Su" - A situation comedy (sitcom, Korean: 주간시트콤 '하와 수') acted out by Jeong Jun-ha and Park Myeong-su. During each scene, they are always at odds with each other about petty issues.
- "Hidden Camera" - This was also introduced by the staff to catch and record the members' natural behavior in certain situations.
- "One-flash Telepathy" - After hearing a word which has been given from the production booth, each member presents a gesture and hopes to have presented the same gesture as the other members. The original purpose of this segment was to unite the minds of the members, however, they have yet to succeed. A voice narration for this segment (including 'Ah-ha') has been made by Na Gyeong-eun, who serves as the announcer for the MBC and eventually entered a relationship with Yu Jae-seok.
- Television Advertisements - Throughout the episodes, they create some satirical Korean television advertisements. For recent example, Jeong Jun-ha does a parody of Neutrogena by New Caledonia.
[edit] Election 2008 After an enormous request by Park Myeong-su to have 'a new leader in a new year 2008', all Muhan Dojeon members and staff held a vote for a new 'host-in-chief' on December 31, 2007, at the nation's own natural gas field near Ulsan.[11] This episode aired on January 12, 2008.
Major Campaign Pledges
- Park Myeong-su - Promised that he will wipe out the 'unpopular' and 'old-fashioned' comedy, if elected (썩은개그, 낡은개그 청산)
- Jeong Jun-ha - Providing 'Winter clothes' for all hard-working staff (모든 스태프에게 방한복 지급)
- Ha Ha - Liberalization of individual hairstyle (두발 자유화)
- Jeong Hyeong-don - Serving a wide range (selection) of lunch for all members and staff (다양한 중식 제공)
- Yu Jae-seok(Inc.) - Pledged for all eligible voters to serve as a host-in-chief again (재선 도전)
- Roh Hong-cheol's pledge one was not on the air.
Votings
All entertainment managers and co-ordinators cast their vote earlier that day (06:00 AM) at the South gate of the MBC Headquarters, and the members and other staff of the MBC voted the night of the election, after attending a meeting where all candidates stated their pledges. All votes were counted on the morning of New Year's Day (08:00 AM).
Results
Most voters expected Yu Jae-seok to return as the 'host-in-chief' without much difficulty; However, to everyone's shock, Park Myeong-su was found to have earned the most of the votes. (Though, on-air evidence suggests that Park somehow rigged the vote box, as he attempted and succeeded in destroying the CCTV evidence of the culprit; and also the tally after the vote count revealed only 36 votes, when Yu Jae-seok had declared that there were 42 votes the previous day.) Therefore, Park Myeong-su was elected as the new host-in-chief. Following an agreement that every candidate agreed to before the election, the new host-in-chief's leadership was to be tested in the next 3 weeks, and if the winner did not show sufficient leadership skills, they were to be recalled and a re-election was to be held. Also as a result of this vote, Roh Hong-cheol, the candidate with the least votes, was chosen to prepare traditional goods (a grand sum of 200 kg rice from Icheon). He chose the new leader Park Myeong-su to help him with this task.
Aftermath
- At the beginning of episode 88 of season 3, (assisting MBC's historical drama series 'Yi San' challenge; aired on January 19, 2007), Host-in-chief Park Myeong-su nominated his manager Jeong Seok-kwon as the chairperson of the 'Host-in-chief Transition Committee'. Although Yu Jae-seok, who had been left at the bottom by the other members members on that day, strongly argued and resisted them. However, Park Myeong-su eventually did his job of opening and closing that episode, with the name of 'Host-in-Chief Park's Muhan Dojeon'.
- After a poor performance for three whole weeks by Park Myeong-su, he announced at a 'press conference' (prepared by Muhan Dojeon) that he would, following the promise, step down as the three weeks have passed, and wait for the new election to take place. The Host-in-chief was changed back temporarily to Yu Jae-seok as an interim on February 2, 2008. The second host-in-chief election was held on February 4, 2008 at the 'MBC Dream Centre' in Ilsan. The re-election coverage was on air on March 15, 2008. At the re-election, Yu Jae-seok won the majority of the votes and was once again reinstated as the 'host-in-chief'.
| Name | Joined | Nickname | Character Description and Notes | Yu Jae-seok
(유재석, Host-in-chief) | Since April 2005 | Chief Yu (유반장)[12]
The First-in-command (1인자)
The grasshopper (메뚜기)
Nal Yu (날유) | As host-in-chief, he led all Muhan Dojeon members in reaching the goal of each episode. In 2008 he was replaced by Park Myung-Su, but was reinstated as host-in-chief. | | Park Myeong-su(박명수) | May - July 2005[13]
Oct. 2005 - Incumbent | Giant Star Park (박거성)[14]
Father (아버지)
The Second-in-command (2인자)
The Son of the Devil (악마의 아들)
Cool Guy (쿨거성)
Sancho Park (산초박)
Omsas Chung (옴사스)
Alien (외계인)
The leafhopper (벼멸구)
Worthless brother (하찮은 형)
Unique Myeong-su (고유명수, A play on 고유명사/"Proper noun")
Chief Park (박반장) | He has continuously procalimed his nickname (Geo-seong, or Giant Star). He is often referred to as "Father" by the rest of the members due to his elderly look and age. This is especially prevalent when Myeong Su's hair is flattened or his make-up is removed. See his page for more details. | | Jeong Jun-ha(정준하) | Since March 2006 | The Helmet (헬멧)[15],
The Lord of Eating (식신)[16]
The Third-in-command (3인자)
Lacking brother (모자란 형)
Lacking neighbourhood brother (모자란 동네 형)
Stupid brother (바보형)
Mr. Jeong Joong-ang (정중앙씨)
Piggy (뚱뚱보)
Jjeori Jjang (쩌리짱)
Global Moron[17] | Due to the extraordinary size of his head (8 kg) and huge amount of meals which he eats (in the 50th episode special of season 3, he was challenged to eat 50 plates of noodles in 300 seconds. The plates altogether weighed about 10–30 kg. He succeeded, but had to go straight to the lavatory and subsequently slept in the back of the studio). On episode 61 of season 3, he went to a hair salon with Hong-cheol to curl Hong-cheol's hair. He asked a woman who was working there if she knew Jun-ha's name, but she said Joong-ang by mistake. Since that time, the members, including the creator Yu Jae-seok, have frequently referred to him as Mr. Jeong Joong-ang (정중앙씨), which means 'Mr. Square-in-the-middle'. | | Jeong Hyeong-don(정형돈) | Since April 2005 | Awkward Piggy
(어색한 뚱보)
[18] | Before join, He once was Comidian of the Gag Concert(one of the Do-Re-Mi Trio). BUT over many episodes, he has demonstrated his talent in everything imaginable; except entertaining(Sometimes proven wrong). | | Noh Hong-cheol(노홍철) | Since April 2005 | Stone Kid/Psychopath/Crazykid('돌+아이')[19],
Quickmouth (퀵마우스)[20]
Noh Jji-rong (노찌롱) | '돌+아이/Dol+I' was created by Yu Jae-seok during episode 22 of season 3. Quickmouth was his original character, due to his extremely fast speed of speech. 돌+아이 (when written without the plus sign) is a Korean curse word meaning psychopath, or an extremely crazy person. Since this is a show watched by families, they humorously put a plus (+) sign in the middle to separate the word so its literal meaning becomes 'Stone+Kid' when in actuality it meant 'psycho'. | Gil(길)
(Gil Seong-Jun, 길성준) | Since April 2009. | Bbaak-Bbaak-ei (bald-head, 빡빡이)
Piggy (뚱뚱뚱보) | He is a de-facto member of Infinite Challenge as 'the 8th', and due to the hatred image to viewers as seen on almost each episodes, currently he proclaims roughly 99% share of the Muhan Dojeon's official online board. | The following were previously permanent co-host of Muhan Dojeon, but have since left the show,
due to the mandatory Korean military service obligation, as a Public Interests Service personel. | Jun Jin(전진)
(Park Chung-Jae, 박충재) | June 2008 - November 2009 | Junstin (전스틴)
The roll-in kid (굴러들어온 놈)
Jan Jin (잔진)
The Million Dollar Baby (백만돌이) | Since June 2008, he has replaced Ha Ha. | Ha Ha(하하)
(Ha Dong Hoon, 하동훈) | December 2005 - March 2008 | Shorty (단신)[21]
Little one (꼬마)
The M.A. Ha (석사 하하)
The Top Little one(상꼬맹이) | As mentioned, he sometimes shows seemingly stupid decisions. He is currently obtaining a Master of Arts in Theatre & Film at Daejin University. However, during the episode of the 50th special, he got only 20 points on an elementary-level spelling test. Recently (in episode 62 of season 3), he sang a song called 'A Little Boy's Story' (키작은 꼬마 이야기) as a tribute to his height. It was a huge sensation with viewers. | [edit] Occasional Appearances - There are a number of people who both individually work for this program and irregularly appear with the Muhan Dojeon members (hosts) to bring more extra fun. They are frequently referred to as '9th members' (제9의 멤버).
| Name | Nickname | Occupation | Character Description and Notes | Jeong Seok-kwon
(정석권) | Manager Jeong
(Jeong Sil-jang 정실장) | Long-time buddy &
Entertainment Manager of Park Myeong-su | At first, he was often criticized when appearing with a lot of 'ambitious but overacting' scenes (that were cut from broadcast), however, he currently helps both his friend Geo-seong (although still quarreling) and this program, as manager of the very-old pop Idol group 'Muhan Dojeon'. To restrain his growing popularity, Park Myeong-su recently ordered that he not appear on the show again. However, he appealed against him and currently appears as an occasional individual on the show. | Choi Jong-hun
(최종훈) | Choi Co-ordi. (최코디)
Almighty Co-ord. Choi
(Man-neung Choi-codi
/만능 최코디) | Entertainment Manager of Jeong Jun-ha | As the official coordinator of Muhan Dojeon, he is currently preparing his common hope of rising stardom (as a professional actor), with a lot of help from Jeong Jun-ha.[22] He prepared a bunch of radishes for the members on 'Kimchi Preparation' (S03E30) and 'Jun(Semi-) Hines Ward'(S03E77) episodes well, and he presented his professional agricultural skills on the episodes 'MD Goes to country' (S03E25) and 'Rice-planting' (S03E56). | Kim Oak-jeong
(김옥정) | Mrs. Kim (김옥정 여사)
Oak-jeong Kim (옥정 킴)
Jung d'Oak-jeong (융드옥정, named after her favourite outfit, the Jung Dress) | Mother of Ha Ha | As has been regularly reported by the members, moreover, according to Roh Hong-cheol's report last year, she has minimal cooking skills, providing fun for the viewers. Recently (episode 83 of season 3), she appeared for the first time and presented passionate acting for the broadcast, in line with the top-rating members. From that broadcast, her last comment of 'Hit that jackpot!' (Dae-bak Teo-ji-se-yo! 대박 터지세요) became an enormously popular new-year greetings of Koreans. | TEO
Kim Tae-ho (김태호) | Bro. TEO (태호 형)
TEO PD (태호 PD) | Executive Producer of Muhan Dojeon | As the pioneer of Korean entertainment, he currently serves a job for 'reactions' which brings some extra fun in the show, by his own captioning work (just before screening each episode). With a sensitive fashion outlook, he gained extraordinary popularity when he officially opened his 'Cyworld' webpage recently. | Kim Tae-hee
(김태희) | Writer Kim (김태희 작가) | Writer of Muhan Dojeon | As a high-profiled co-writer of Muhan Dojeon and a Korean actress-namesake, she enjoys her huge popularity from dedicated viewers. During the 'Making a song challenge for X-mas'(S03E33) episode, she became very popular Roh Hong-cheol argued against her, with saying 'Backshot of the (Actress) Kim Tae-hee, but the front look of Muhan Dojeon (like us)' (뒷모습은 김태희인데 앞모습은 무한도전). | Shin Mi-so
(신미소) | Miso Co-ordi. (미소코디) | Fashion Co-ordinator of Yu Jae-seok | A Busan-native, who helps Yu Jae-seok to be more fashionable, she has also been popular in this show. Her debut was in a sleeping scene as a guest during a '100-minute Debate' (episode 42 of season 3, which made her name the top online keyword of March 2007), and accidentally breaking a set of illuminators when Lee Young-ae appeared on Muhan Dojeon (episode 52 of season 3). She become popular and eventually appeared as a co-host of 'Madness Couples' (episode 75 of season 3) with the Host-in-chief Yu Jae-seok. | [edit] Famous Guests [edit] International | Name | Appeared | Occupation | Notes | | Fedor Emelianenko | Season 3 Episode 18 ~ Episode 19 | PRIDE heavyweight champion | Appeared two episodes; he taught each member submission holds - Season 3 | | Thierry Henry[23] | Season 3 Episode 57 ~ Episode 58 | Football(Soccer) Player | Appeared two episodes - Season 3 | | Maria Sharapova | Season 1 Episode 23 ~ Episode 24 | Tennis player | Appeared two episodes - Season 1 | | Michelle Wie | Season 3 Episode 1 ~ Episode 2 | Golfer | Appeared two episodes - Season 3 | | Paris Hilton | Season 3 Episode 81 | Starlet | Appeared one episode - Season 3 | [edit] Korean Several notable Korean celebrities have appeared on the show, including: - Actors
- Comedians
| - Musicians
| - Sports/athletes
| [edit] The show in popular culture - During the 12th episode (aired on August 16, 2007) of MBC's Monday-night variety programme 'Jippijiggi'(지피지기), comedian Park Su-hong urged Roh Hong-cheol, Jeong Hyeong-don, and Ha Ha (members of Muhan Dojeon) to create a new comic-variety program called 'Yuhan Dojeon'(유한도전, 有限挑戰, Finite Challenge). However, this was a joke when he attended this program as a guest.[24]
- MBC Drama, MBC's Drama and Entertainment channel on Skylife and Cable TV, has decided to launch a brand-new comic variety show called Infinity Girls(무한걸스), the female edition of Muhan Dojeon. Six Korean entertainers including Song Eun-ei(송은이), Shin Bong-seon (신봉선), Kim Shin-young, Hwangbo, Baek Bo-ram and Jung Ga-eun serve as the co-hosts of this program. Previous hosts who have already left the show include Ahn Hye-kyeong (안혜경, who is well-known as Ha Ha's girlfriend), Kim Hyeon-suk (김현숙), Bin-wu (빈우), Kim Ga-yeon (김가연) and Jung Shi-ah.[25]. It aired on September 23, 2007, as a pliot (special) program for Hangawi holidays. Since October 15, 2007, This format went a regular-scheduled programme at the 'MBC Every1', MBC's Cable and Satellite network for comedy and variety shows, eventually.
- On December 27, 2007, the SERI, a well-known economic research institute of South Korea, picked this program as the 6th most-influential products and services of the year 2007, due to the strong public popularity and its own productive characters.[26]
- Infinite Challenge may be mentioned on other similar programs, guests asking if the staffs copied the idea from Infinite Challenge.
- On the 1st quarter of 2008, according to the Global marketing department of MBC, the format of this programme has been tried to sold at one of the european agency at Sweden, for the very first time in Korean television history. Although this mission has not been contrated, due to the reason of too many and dynamic characters to reproduce, however the mixed preview of this show has eventually been sold at Air France and Qatar Airways' in-flight broadcast to promote this programme.[27]
[edit] References - ^ Infinite Challenge to His Life, article from The Granite Tower, June 5, 2007
- ^ Mudo 19.7 percent, highest during 2 months(Korean), Newsen.com, Retrieved on July 12, 2009
- ^ List of the Ratings of South Korean TV Programmes(Korean), Conducted by TNS Media Korea corp.
- ^ Demonstration against controversial media-related bills draws 4,000, The Hankyoreh, Retrieved on December 31, 2008.
- ^ The resource of the superb power of Muhan Dojeon(Korean), Joongang Ilbo, Retrieved on May 28, 2007.
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ 'Muhan Dojeon Dictionary' got huge popular(Korean), Dkbnews, Retrieved on January 22, 2007
- ^ Korean True-face, Muhan Dojeon(Korean), Hankyoreh 21, Retrieved on October 31, 2006
- ^ The rating of Muhan Dojeon renewed again to its highest mark(Korean), Starnews, Retrieved on November 26, 2006
- ^ Showmanship, demolished the wall(Korean), The Hankyoreh, Retrieved on June 8, 2007.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Popular Nickname boosts the Programme(Korean), Starnews, Retrieved on January 31, 2007
- ^ S01E04(May 14, 2005) - S01E15(July 30, 2005).
- ^ The Rank of Korean Celebrities after starting Military service(Korean), Segye Ilbo, Retrieved on May 4, 2007
- ^ Jeong Jun-ha crosses straightly(Korean), The Hankyoreh, Retrieved on January 8, 2007
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Infinite Challenge Ep. 78 4/7(00:50)
- ^ Awkward as a progress of combining each programme(Korean), Starnews, Retrieved on January 24, 2007
- ^ 'Editing' decides the quality of Variety programmes(Korean), Starnews, Retrieved on March 28, 2007
- ^ To live happy, not discouraged(Korean), Ohmynews, Retrieved on March 12, 2007
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Choi Jong-hoon; "My common dream is to become an actor", Starnews, Retrieved on July 16, 2007
- ^ French soccer star Thierry Henry’s appearance on a Korean comedy program KBS World, Retrieved on June 26, 2007.
- ^ Are Hongcheol, Hyeongdon, Haha creates a new programme with Park Su-hong?(Korean), Muhan Dojeon Gallery, Daum.net, Retrieved on August 25, 2007
- ^ 'Muhan Girls', The female's edition of Muhan Dojeon will be on air(Korean), Starnews, Retrieved on September 18, 2007
- ^ Weekly Insight: Korea’s Ten Hit Products and Services of 2007, the SERI, Retrieved on December 27, 2007
- ^ Deal of Muhan Dojeon programme has not been contracted with Sweden agency(Korean), Newsen.com, Retrieved on March 7, 2008
[edit] External links | Muhan Dojeon ("Infinite Challenge") | | | Members | | | | Productions | | |
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