Kim Jong-min seeks leadership in new season of The Great Escape

Following Kang Ho-dong's departure after approximately eight years, Kim Jong-min is competing for a new leadership role in the TVING original 'The Great Escape: Urban Legends'. The six-member cast, which includes newcomer SEUNGKWAN, will vote for a leader before undergoing escape ability tests ahead of the December 2 release.

With Kang Ho-dong departing from the 'The Great Escape: Urban Legends' series after approximately eight years, Kim Jong-min is launching an ambitious challenge to claim the new leadership position. As attention focuses on who will fill the void left by Kang Ho-dong, who has long anchored the program, Kim Jong-min—who has never served as the leader—has sparked both laughter and anticipation by declaring, "I think this is my last chance."

In Episode 0, "Legends, the Beginning," of the TVING original 'The Great Escape: Urban Legends' releasing on the 9th, Kim Jong-min, Kim Dong-hyun, Shindong, Yoo Byung-jae, Go Kyung-pyo, and SEUNGKWAN gather together for the first time. This season, centered on bizarre urban legends, completes a diverse lineup with the return of existing members Kim Jong-min and Shindong, alongside the new addition of SEVENTEEN's SEUNGKWAN. The six members meet for the first time without knowing the specific concept of the program, signaling the start of a new escape amidst unexpected circumstances.

The most notable change this season is the revival of the "leader system." Since the first leader is decided by a vote among the members, a fierce psychological battle is unfolding as each person argues why they are suitable for the role. In particular, Kim Jong-min, who has participated in 'The Great Escape' for a long time but has never held the position, expressed his determination not to miss this opportunity, appealing for active support from the members by stating, "I think this is my last chance."

Newcomer SEUNGKWAN also did not hide his desire for the leadership position. He declared that he would exercise leadership with youthful energy and confidence without being intimidated by his older members. However, a playful atmosphere was created when he was caught checking the reactions of his seniors while making his bold pledges. The competition for leadership between veteran Kim Jong-min and rookie SEUNGKWAN is expected to be a major comedic highlight in the early part of the season.

Before the leader is selected, a test to verify escape abilities will be conducted. Shindong, who has demonstrated significant problem-solving skills in past series, will undergo a skill verification after a long time, and combinations and situations that defy the members' expectations are expected to emerge. Beyond a simple leadership competition, interest is focused on the direction of the first leader, as members will be tested on the judgment, reasoning, and crisis response skills required during the actual escape process.

The sudden gathering of the six members has also been foreshadowed. Curiosity is piqued regarding what kind of crises the group, united under the slogan "United we live, divided we die," will face. Another point of interest is how the members, possessing different personalities and abilities, will work as a team and how this new combination will expand the entertainment of the existing series.

Kang Ho-dong, who has led 'The Great Escape' since the first season in 2018, has left the series after approximately eight years. While the specific reason for his departure has not been disclosed, Kang Ho-dong previously offered support to the new members, stating, "I believe my colleagues and juniors, who possess even greater imagination and wisdom than I do, will do their best for the success of 'The Great Escape'." His departure is considered the most significant change surrounding this season, given his status as the symbolic figure of the program for a long time.

With the void left by Kang Ho-dong, the new leadership competition, and the addition of SEUNGKWAN, 'The Great Escape: Urban Legends' signals a different atmosphere from the previous series. In particular, attention is focused on whether Kim Jong-min can finally seize the leadership position he has not held in eight years and whether his "last chance" will lead to actual results.

Episode 0, "Legends, the Beginning," of 'The Great Escape: Urban Legends' will be pre-released on the official TVING YouTube channel at 8:00 PM on the 9th, and can also be viewed on TVING at 8:30 PM. The main series will be released for the first time on December 2 at 6:00 PM.

Read the original (Korean)