The Netflix variety show 'Devil's Plan: Death Room' came to an end with the crowning of a winner, but viewers were more focused on 'how it ended' than 'who won.' Jung Hyun-kyu and Yoon So-hee, who advanced to the finals, each claimed victory and runner-up, but their endings led to their exit amid negative comments and controversy. Additionally, the production led by Kyuhyun and Jeong Jong-yeon faced scrutiny.
Earlier, Jung Hyun-kyu secured the final victory, but during the game, his comment, "Can you do arithmetic?" which belittled his opponent, aired and drew criticism for being 'arrogant.' Some viewers went directly to his social media to lash out, and in response, Jung Hyun-kyu changed his status message to "I'm sorry" to express his apologies, but public sentiment did not quell easily.
Yoon So-hee also gained favorable impressions early on with her 'Calm on the outside, crazy on the inside' play style, but in the finals, she made an emotionally charged choice, facing negative comments asking, "Did you concede victory?" and "Did you come to date?" Once praised as a "genius" and a "likable player," she ultimately became an unintended 'target of criticism,' drawing heavy backlash and becoming the center of controversy.
Ultimately, viewers' anger is directed not only at the contestants but also at the production team. The issue is not merely excessive immersion. The unique strategy-driven production style of Jeong Jong-yeon this season has particularly focused on emotional conflict and polarization, leading to evaluations that it blurred the original concept of 'brain survival.' In fact, this season flowed from the beginning with a structure of "bullying or alliance," creating an environment that induced conflict among viewers. The interpersonal dynamics among the contestants overshadowed the game's narrative, with a greater emphasis on emotional stress and division rather than strategic play, leading to critiques that the intrinsic enjoyment of the game has been diminished.
Above all, Jung Hyun-kyu and Yoon So-hee are players who acted at the center of a large alliance. Thus, the criticisms directed at them are not merely reflections of animosity towards individuals but also a backlash against the narrative structure and editing direction of 'Devil's Plan 2.' Especially, Jung Hyun-kyu's controversial remarks were satirized through editing, and Yoon So-hee was primarily highlighted only in the later stages.
Kyuhyun also showcased his presence by alternating between alliance and individual strategies, but due to the emotionally immersive editing from the production, he was branded as 'selfish.' Kyuhyun attempted to clarify through fan community platforms that "everyone has their own position,” but the reaction from angry viewers only intensified.
While the excessive negative comments from viewers are indeed problematic, the criticism that the production bears responsibility for crafting a narrative centered around provocative emotional lines cannot be ignored. Even Jeong Jong-yeon, known as a 'detail artisan,' has faced evaluations this season indicating that there were gaps in planning, editing, and character development.
'Devil's Plan: Death Room' Season 2 ultimately recorded excellent buzz and viewership figures globally, but what did a survival show leave behind when even the winner could not smile? This season left only emotional fatigue and controversy beyond victory and runner-up. If a Season 3 is planned, there needs to be more consideration in direction to ensure that the game does not devolve into 'emotionally consumptive reality.'
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