"I think of myself as a representative of the ordinary person next door. If I had graduated from Harvard, I don't think I would have been able to connect with people. I feel proud and moved to think that someone like me has once again given hope to South Korea."
Comedian Jang Dong-min (45) proved once again that he is the strongest in survival entertainment by winning the final victory in 'Blood Game' Season 3.
The Wave original entertainment show 'Blood Game' Season 3 (hereafter 'Blood Game 3'), which ended on the 17th, is the third season of the popular 'Blood Game' series. It features 18 players, including comedian Jang Dong-min, former pro gamer Hong Jin-ho, Kim Kyung-ran, Lim Hyun-seo, Seo Chul-goo, MJ Kim, Yuri Sa, Joo Eon-kyu, Pani Bottle, Chungju Man, Crocodile, Choi Hye-sun, Heo Seong-beom, Kim Min-a, Lee Ji-na, Kim Young-gwang, Si-yoon, and Steve Ye.
Jang Dong-min, Hong Jin-ho, Crocodile, and Heo Seong-beom made it to the final four, with Jang Dong-min taking the victory. After winning 'The Genius' Seasons 3 and 4 (2014-2015) and 'Society Game 2' (2017), Jang Dong-min achieved the unprecedented feat of a four-time survival champion with his win in 'Blood Game 3', proving the worth of the name 'God Dong-min.'
In an interview on the 22nd in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Jang Dong-min said, "As a viewer, I feel a bit disappointed. We filmed last year, and looking back on the victory, it was a great moment, and I was so happy that the glory of winning came back to me."
He continued, "When I first won on 'The Genius' in my mid-30s, I was happy to prove that someone with a vocational college background could achieve anything if they had the will, among participants with high education and credentials. Now, in my mid-40s, I wanted to show that I don't have to lose my self-esteem at this age. When I was first approached, many around me said, 'You can't do it because you're getting older,' and 'Don't do it,' but I wanted to give hope to people like me."
Although Jang Dong-min has participated in various survival entertainment shows, he confessed that 'Blood Game 3' was overwhelmingly difficult. He suffered during the 12-day filming period, losing about 10 kg.
Jang Dong-min said, "It was hard for all the participants. It was tough because of the meticulousness of the production team. I started filming at 72 kg and returned home at 63 kg after 12 days. My family was so surprised they thought I had been taken to a secret place." He added, "Living under perfect rules and regulations was difficult for someone like me who plans everything. The scariest thing for the participants was the 'blindfold trauma.' We had to wear blindfolds while being transported to places that were an hour away by car, like paradise, mansions, and ruins. Personally, I found that very hard."
Throughout 'Blood Game 3', Jang Dong-min displayed overwhelming abilities, earning praise like "The victory is Dong-min's anyway" and "As expected, God Dong-min." However, he humbly stated, "Anyone can play like me."
Jang Dong-min said, "There are times when a person can suddenly exert superhuman strength. For example, when a child is playing and suddenly falls, a father can catch them to prevent injury. Everyone has that kind of superhuman ability. I think I just focus a little more than others during survival, which makes me stand out a bit more compared to other players." He added, "I am extremely ordinary, but I think the results came from focusing solely on the thought of 'I have to survive in the death match.'
The revenge match of the winners from 'The Genius' series after 10 years was also a point of interest. Hong Jin-ho, the first winner of 'The Genius: The Game's Law' (2013), and Jang Dong-min, the winner of 'The Genius: Black Garnet' (2014), faced off in 'The Genius: Grand Final' (2015), with Jang Dong-min ultimately taking the victory.
Jang Dong-min joked, "You know what it means to be rivals, right?" and then said, "Hong Jin-ho is one of the few recognized strong players in survival. During the opening, I was tied up and wearing a blindfold, but I could hear Hong Jin-ho's groans next to me. At that moment, I was already contemplating whether I should team up with him or consider him a rival. For my victory and Hong Jin-ho's victory, an alliance would be right, but from the viewer's perspective, a rivalry would be more entertaining. Even if Hong Jin-ho wasn't a spy early on, he would have been on another team. Hong Jin-ho is a player with a strength like a reed. Very strong."
Will we see Jang Dong-min, who has once again claimed the title of 'the strongest in survival,' in another survival entertainment show?
Jang Dong-min said, "I love survival programs, so I am monitoring them as a viewer. As a viewer who loves and enjoys survival, I feel disappointed thinking, 'Is there really such a lack of talent?' I'm not talking about smart or intelligent people, but about the desire and passion for competition. The only reason I can always beat other participants is my longing for victory and passion for survival. I think I came in first because my desire to survive was greater than anyone else's. However, I haven't seen anyone with a mindset that surpasses mine, so I wonder, 'Should I keep doing this?'
He added, "If there’s a friend who seems like they could ignite my passion, I would like to compete with them. If there are more players like that, I would want to compete again as a player. I hope the participants in survival shows come out with a stronger will. That way, there might be a chance to compete a little more."
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
