| Infinite Challenge | |
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Promotional Logo |
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| Also known as | Muhan Dojeon |
| Genre | Comedy, Variety, Reality |
| Directed by | Kim Tae-ho[1] Kim Joon-Hyun (co-dir.) Jo Wook-Hyeong (co-dir.) |
| Creative director(s) | Song Seung-Jong |
| Presented by | Yoo Jae-Seok |
| Starring | Park Myeong-su Jeong Jun-ha Noh Hong-cheol Jeong Hyeong-don Ha Dong-hoon Gil Seong-joon Jun Jin (~ November 2009) |
| Opening theme | Non stop, vive Fosset by Vive la Fete |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Language(s) | Korean |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 260 (as of July 30, 2011, for its 4th season) (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Kim Tae Ho |
| Location(s) | Worldwide |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 75-80 minutes per episode |
| Production company(s) | MBC |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | MBC TV |
| Picture format | NTSC; ATSC for 2008 Infinite Challenge concert |
| Audio format | Monophonic |
| First shown in | South Korea |
| Original run | April 23, 2005 – Present |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Super Recommended Sataurday (강력 추천 토요일) |
| Related shows | Infinite Girls (spin-off) |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Infinite Challenge (a.k.a. Muhan Dojeon; Hangul: 무한도전; Hanja: 無限挑戰; abbreviated 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] April and May 2010[4]).[5] 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.[6] Since February 19, 2011 (237th episode), this programme has been aired with High Definition(HD).[7]
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Infinite Challenge has been reported as the first "Real-Variety" show in Korean television history.[8] 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.[9]
The title of Season 1 was Reckless Challenge (무모한 도전). At that time, hosted by Yoo Jae-Seok, 6 or more Korean entertainers (with Noh 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 and sporting episodes of Season 4 (i.e. WM7) episodes are frequently aired on MBC Sportsplus, MBC's satellite and cable network for sports-casting.
Aired from October 29, 2005 to April 30, 2006, the title of Season 2 was Excessive Challenge (무모한 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.[10] 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 programme.
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 program in Korean television history, with the airing of 'Please, come early': 6 members were asked to come on time when it had been scheduled (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.[11]
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, appearing live on stage at a public fashion show, and playing football against Thierry Henry. 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.[12]
These segments are part the show but are only featured from time to time.
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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.[13] This episode aired on January 12, 2008.
Major Campaign Pledges
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
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From July 2009, with its president of the club(협회장) Park Myeong-su, the members started training for the long term WM7 (Wrestling Muhan Dojeon 7) project, the pursuit of professional wrestling within the Infinite Challenge programme. Inviting Son Star(손스타). junior-professional wrestler and the drummer for popular band Cherry Filter, as their coach, the members began learning professional wrestling moves to perform in front of an audience. After numerous injuries (including a concussion suffered by Jeong Hyeong-don), setbacks and delays, the members finally put on a performance in front of a live audience on 19 August 2010 at Jangchung Gymnasium. The training process itself was broadcast, in half hour segments except for the last two episodes, from 3 July 2010 to 11 September for a total of 11 episodes. DVD edition(products) of this longest and hardest challenge has been eventually made by MBC, with several designated untold stories and full-live performance that has not been aired.
| Name | Joined | Nickname | Character Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoo Jae-Seok (유재석, Host-in-chief) |
Since April 2005 | Chief Yu/Yu banjang (유반장)[14] The First-in-command (1인자) National MC (국민 MC) The grasshopper (메뚜기) Mr. Playboy Yu/Nal Yu (날유) The Sun (해님) God Yu(유느님) 저쪼아래 |
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[15] Oct. 2005 - Incumbent |
Giant Star/Geo-seong (거성)[16] Father (아버지) The Second-in-command (2인자) The Son of the Devil (악마의 아들) Rash Man(깨방정) Sancho Park (산초박) Alien (외계인) The leafhopper/Rice insect (벼멸구) Worthless brother (하찮은 형) Unique Myeong-su (고유명수) (A play on 고유명사/"Proper noun") CEO Park/Park sajang (박사장) Point five (쩜오) Great Park (그레이트 박) Flag Park(박깃발) The odd one out (쭈구리) Peter(피터) |
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. His (on-air) persona is that of a veteran grumpy "upperclassman" of the other members. He often shouts or reprimands his "underclassmen," but which usually about humorously trivial or his trademark humorous grumpiness. |
| Jeong Jun-ha(정준하) | Since March 2006 | The Helmet (헬멧),[17] The Lord of Eating (식신)[18] Monster (괴물) The Third-in-command (3인자) Stupid brother (바보형) Mr. Jeong Joong-ang (정중앙씨) Fat-fatso (뚱뚱보) Jjeori Jjang (쩌리짱) Global Moron[19] Cool Guy(쿨가이) Manager Jeong (정총무) Jeong Jun-yeon-a(정준연아) (Kim Yeon-a Parody) Some lacks but the good friend (약간 모자라지만 착한 친구) Jonathan(조나단) |
He is known mainly for 3 things: size, appetite, and a degree of slowness in judgment/stupidity. His extraordinarily large head (8 kg) has gotten him, on a few occasions, called "Chivas Degal" (Degal = is a shortened word for "Degari", a vernacular word for "head"). 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 teased him as Mr. Jeong Joong-ang (정중앙씨), which means 'Mr. Square-in-the-middle'. |
| Jeong Hyeong-don(정형돈) | Since April 2005 | Fatso (뚱보) Awkward fatso (어색한 뚱보) [20] Jinsang (진상, nuisance) Jeong Hang-don (정항돈) The Moon (달님) Doni (도니) Crazy Existence (미친존재감) Gaehwadong Orange-Tribe (개화동 오렌지족) |
A comedian by profession, before joining the team, used to appear in Gag Concert(Do-Re-Mi Trio being one of his many skits). But over many episodes, he has demonstrated remarkable talent in everything imaginable except in comedy. He is teased by the other members for this, though this is often proven wrong. He also has the ability to make anyone around him awkward. |
| Noh Hong-cheol(노홍철) | Since April 2005 | Stone Kid/Psychopath/Crazykid/Dol+I ('돌+아이'),[21] Childhood friend(with Haha) (죽마고우) Quickmouth (퀵마우스)[22] Noh Jji-rong (노찌롱) Noh big-jaw(노하관) Fraudster (사기꾼) Affirmation Noh (노긍정) Anal Fistula Patient(치루치루) |
'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'. |
| Ha Ha(하하) (Ha Dong Hoon, 하동훈) |
December 2005 - March 2008 March 2010 - Incumbent |
Shorty (단신)[23] Childhood friend(with Noh Hong-cheol) (죽마고우) Little one (꼬마) The M.A. Ha (석사 하하) The Top Little one(상꼬맹이) haroro (하로로) Compares in the same age, The friend who lacks (또래에 비해 떨어지는 친구) |
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. |
| Gil(길) (Gil Seong-joon, 길성준) |
Since April 2009 | Baldy/Bbaak-Bbaak-ei (빡빡이) Come between-Gil(이간길) Honey jar(꿀단지) Fat-fat-fatso (뚱뚱뚱보) Ip-sae (입새) (as he only brushes his teeth once a day) Gilmeo (길메오) (as a 'cameo' proclaimed by Yu Jae-seok) absurdity (무리수) The friend who viviparous is not fun (태생적으로 재미없는 친구) |
He is a de-facto member of Infinite Challenge as 'the 8th'. Once he joined, he proclaimed roughly 99% share of the Muhan Dojeon's official online board, until Jeong Jun-ha misbehavioured against Chef Myeong Hyeon-ji during a cooking challenge preparation in NYC on November 2009. In January 2010 when Boxing episodes occurred, he presented his 9-year-long specialty. |
| 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 personnel. |
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| Jun Jin(전진) (Park Chung-Jae, 박충재) |
June 2008 - November 2009 | Junstin Jimberlake (전스틴) The roll-in kid (굴러들어온 놈) Jan Jin (잔진) The Million Dollar Boy (백만돌이) |
Since June 2008, he has replaced Ha Ha. Jin showed extraordinary talent and was a target for all the other members of Muhan Dojeon, who envied his looks and abilities. |
| Name | Nickname | Occupation | Character Description and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeong Seok-kwon (정석권) |
Manager Jeong (Jeong Sil-jang 정실장) Narrow-mouth Frog Brother (Mangkongei Hyong 맹꽁이형) |
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.[24] 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, he has been appeared as a witness of Moot court challenge which eventually aired on February 20, 2010. |
| 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 for X-mas challenge'(S03E33) episode, she became very popular when Roh Hong-cheol said that she 'has the posterior of (actress) Kim Tae-hee, but the front of Muhan Dojeon (infinitely challenging.' |
| 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. She is known to be able to argue with all six members of the show, earning her the nickname 'Aegis ship.' |
| Name | Appeared | Occupation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fedor Emelianenko | Season 4 Episode 18 ~ Episode 19 | PRIDE heavyweight champion | Appeared two episodes; he taught each member submission holds - Season 4 |
| Thierry Henry[25] | Season 4, Episode 57 ~ Episode 58 | Football(Soccer) Player | Appeared two episodes - Season 4 |
| Maria Sharapova | Season 1, Episode 23 ~ Episode 24 | Tennis player | Appeared two episodes - Season 1 |
| Michelle Wie | Season 4, Episode 1 ~ Episode 2 | Golfer | Appeared two episodes - Season 4 |
| Paris Hilton | Season 4, Episode 81 | Starlet | Appeared one episode - Season 4 |
| Tenku Tsubasa (前田睦美) | Season 4, Episode 189 and 190 | Athlete (Boxer) | Appeared two episodes - Season 4 |
Several notable Korean celebrities have appeared on the show, including:
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