*You can skip my backstory and scroll down to read about my cast assessment (when Hong Jin Ho's individual photo appears).
Super stoked for this upcoming season of TVN's The Genius. By far, one of my favourite Reality TV game show ever, not just for the really smart players but also for the execution of the show. While it is similar and influenced by the Liar Game manga, the show has taken off on its own and truly caught my/our attention. I actually found out about the show from the second season and I watched the first episode thinking that this is really cool, having had one of the best death matches [Quattro]. After, I pretty much just binged watch the whole of season 1 and caught up to season 2. By then I was definitely a hardcore fan of the show. Now, this is like a huge thing in the Reality TV Game Show arena, attracting international viewers [say what? Ian Terry(BB) + Myles Nye?] to get in on the action. Such success! #proudtobepartofhegeniusfanclubhaha
Alright, enough of the back story, on to Season 4! Final Match! :)
... Wait...??? What? Final? Is it the last season??? D;
NOOOOOO Please continue the show please.
So, this is an all stars season with returning players from all the first three seasons. Recently, the list of players was announced and everyone's super excited, except that Sunggyu (season 1) so ought to be part of it too so BOO and CRIES. Such a pity he wasn't casted, but oh well still very stoked to see all the familiar faces!
{5 from S1; 5 from S2; 5 from S3} I did double count but woah, I don't know how it will all turn up but looks like S3 players might be in a better position if they team up as there is no overlap with other seasons...
CAST ASSESSMENT
Here's the list of players and pardon my fangirling in advance:
**Background = BG; Predictions = PDT
Hong Jin Ho
BG
Winner of Season 1, Placed 7th in Season 2, member of Crime Scene 1 & 2, Previous a Pro Gamer (usually placed 2nd), sometimes has problems pronouncing words, Very Observant, Icon of The Genius
PDT
I think JinHo will do quite well unless targeted by others or feel like others should get a chance to win, after all he has played twice. However, generally still has a competitive side and will get to see some surprises and brainy moves from him. Do not expect to see him win though.
Kim Kyung Ran
BG
Runner Up of Season 1, shown some smart moves in her season, Former announcer
PDT
Compared to JinHo and SangMin, Kyung Ran has not been back in The Genius studios for awhile and might be a bit rusty at first. While I do not have a clear memory of her game play, she could use this to her advantage. Very glad to see her back with a second chance.
Lee Sang Min
BG
2nd Runner up in Season 1, Winner of Season 2, believed to have been through some setbacks, says that The Genius Studio is like his second home, Good social player, Singer-Idol
PDT
I believe that he will be targeted near the start of the game as an outstanding player who has made it very far in both of his seasons. Might try to persuade others that he is back for the games and can help them to win in order to stay in it. A force to be reckon with and can go either ways.
Lim Yo Hwan
BG
Runner up in Season 2, Rivals of Jin Ho as a Pro Gamer (beat Jin Ho to place first), Good in individual games, Do not work well in groups.
PDT
His unpredictability might put some other players off as he screws them over in group games, but the same trait also becomes his weapon in individual games, making him both a huge liability and huge threat to be taken out ASAP. Might create drama by targeting Jin Ho. Do not see him going far this time round.
Jang Dong Min
BG
Season 3 winner, member of Crime Scene season 2, Good leader and speaker, Threatens to control, Comedian-Host
PDT
Very smart player that was underestimated in his season early on, however it is different this time. He is capable of pulling off good strategic moves, but does not work well with everyone. Hard to predict where he stands with this group of players but he will be someone that others are threatened by. Not sure if he will team up with Hyun Min to help further his friend's game.
Oh Hyun Min
BG
Runner up of season 3, Smart and strategic player, but not too good a social player, Student
PDT
While he only played once and didn't win, Hyun Min is a target for getting very close to the ultimate prize and he is fresh in other players' minds. Should team up with Dong Min as a Dream Team or make alliances quick. He should go far in this season if nothing goes wrong.
Kim Yoo Hyun
BG
5th in Season 3, Super Lucky at times, Poker Player/English Teacher
PDT
Unless S3 alliance becomes a reality or that he becomes super lucky, I do doubt that he will go far. Seemingly a less strategic player, I wonder if he had some tricks left up his sleeves, after all he is a Poker Player right? Unless he is back as an upgraded version, I think that he will only make it till about halfway into the game.
Lim Yoon Sun
BG
9th in Season 2, Strategic player but wasn't well liked in her season, Lawyer
PDT
Thought that the players in her season didn't quite do her strategic side justice. Yoon Sun has a lot of potential to do well this season and if she is able to gain alliances quick, I see her going far, or at least hopefully further than she did in her season.
Choi Jung Moon
BG
9th in Season 1, Not that memorable nor strategic, Mensa member
PDT
Surprised to see her name in here as she wasn't that memorable a player. I only remember her screwing up in the Zombies game (she wasn't able to hide the fact that she was a zombie) but the fact that she has high IQ is something worth giving a second (and probably last) chance to prove herself. Not expecting much from her TBH.
Yoo Jung Hyun
BG
2nd Runner Up in Season 2, did surprisingly well in the death matches, but considerably not included in any of the group game as a main player, Former Announcer, Now a lawmaker (?)
PDT
I don't know how he is going to stand out as a worthy player among all these All Stars and prove that he can play the game well too. I hope he is not dragged along which I have a feeling he will be again...
Kim Kyung Hoon
BG
12th in Season 3, had his guns blasting from the start, Seoul Graduate, not sure what he does now
PDT
I think that Kyung Hoon has much potential to do well. Playing with a more laid back approach at the start might just work in his favor, but he is known to stir up trouble and is competitive. If he stays collected, he is a huge competitor. If not, he must as well just be burning the whole place down as he screws up everyone's game.
Choi Yeun Seung (Ooo side note, all the players from S3 casting calls are back!)
BG
2nd Runner up in Season 3, I believe he has great concentration, Oriental Doctor
PDT
Not someone who come across as a strong player either, and not very memorable. Don't think that Yeun Seung will go far this season, especially with all the All Stars, unless the other players decide that he is easier to beat at the end and try to take out the "stronger" ones first. I do think that he is a great alliance member though.
Lee Jun Seok
BG
Last place in season 1, JinHo thinks that he is a huge threat, Harvard Graduate, Politician, Entrepreneur
PDT
Will definitely do better and has lots of potential to go deep in this season. I think that Jun Seok will be just as good as Jin Ho, and might even win.
List of Players that ought to have been called back
Kim Sung Gyu
Certainly a bold and smart player, I am positive most people wanted him back. A pity to have left him out.
Cha Min Soo
Really smart Poker player that had it going really well from the start of the first season. A crucial mistake made by Jin Ho/himself costed him the game during team death match, this would have been a much needed redemption.
[edit: okay I remembered wrongly. ): Not really Jin Ho's fault...]
Doo Hee
Smart and memorable player, he really was in the running to be one of the best but he was really screwed over by ID cards that were stolen.
Yoo Su Jin
Made an upsetting mistake that costed her game to come to an end, this would have been a great chance for a great redemption.
Kim Gu Ra
A giant player that was targeted from the start, and his group game play was pretty good. Would have been a great to see him back, but nope, it didn't happen.
Kim Jae Kyung
Was at the wrong place, making a wrong decision at the wrong time. Her acting was superb in the first death match in Season 2 and I still can't believe how she fell out with the rest so quick in the second episode. She had much potential to do well.
Such a pity they were not selected instead! haha maybe next time? ><
Alright so as we wait for the show to start, tweet me
@raycherr and tell me who you are rooting for? :)
Might be doing a draft on who we support with a friend soon! Stay tuned! (Delayed until further notice haha)
*some of my opinions of the players have changed after watching the previews...
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