The 8 Show: What is the new Korean TV series premiering on Netflix in the US on May 17?

Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee and Park Jeong-min star in Han Jae-Rim’s Korean quirky, comedy series The 8 Show (original Korean title: Deo Eiteu Syo) which has been translated into English and will premiere on Netflix in the US on May 17. A group of individuals who, for one reason or another are in need of money sign up for a reality TV show, Money Game where their time is bought - a show that “doesn’t require any skills or previously acquired knowledge”. The participants, numbered one to eight, must stay at a bleak, claustrophobic, concrete-walled studio for 100 days. If they can see out the full 100 days, they will be able to split a bumper 44.8 billion cash prize equally between themselves.

What was the 8 Show based on?

The 8 Show plot is based on Bae Jin-soo’s webtoons Money Game and Pie Game which featured seven participants marooned on a seven-floor TV set, taking part in a 24-hours reality show with individual pots of money which grow by the hour. The participants must think of ways to extend their time on the set and win more money.

The 8 Show: the danger increases and so does the money

The task soon starts to get weirder and more dangerous with the realization what they will have to do to win the competition or just survive the full 100 days in testing conditions. Firstof all is their expenditure. While their accommodation is free and they have been given a set of clothes, everything else is obscenely expensive - food, water and electricity has been subjected to a huge markup, costing hundreds of times more than in the real world and those expenses will be deducted from the grand prize for whoever wins.

As time goes by, the pressure takes its toll on some of the contestants who find themselves in an emotionally draining position of having to solve complex tasks every day of their stay. Time passes indefinitely and money piles up indefinitely, with an LED counter adding more and more digits to the overall cash prize. All the while, their exploits `

Superb performance throughout from Park Jeong-min, who plays “7″ and quickly assets himself as the leader of the group with a skill for deciphering the game’s demands and coming up with inventive solutions. Chun Woo-hee plays contestant “8″ who signed up as much for the thrill of the experience as for financial reasons - unlike contestant “3″ played by Ryu Jun-yeol who hopes to get his finances back in order after being a victim of fraud. The 8 show features, eight players, eight levels, and eight individual tragicomedies. The stakes are high and the rewards even higher but at what cost?

Related stories

When is the second half of Bridgerton Season 3 released?

MUSIC

Early reaction positive to new Billie Eilish album

The 8 Show premieres on Netflix in the US and worldwide on Friday May 17. Netflix streaming packages start at around $6.99 a month for content with ads or $23 a month for superior video quality without ads.