“All who wish to attain Buddhahood, come here.”

Netflix’s ‘Devil’s Plan: Deathroom ‘(hereafter referred to as’ Devil’s Plan 2 ‘), which made survival variety show viewers’ overly immersed ‘, has come to an end.

‘ Devil’s Plan ‘, which returned for Season 2 following Season 1 that aired in 2023, is a brain survival game where players from various occupations live together for 7 days to determine the best brain.This season consists of a total of 12 episodes and was released sequentially over 3 weeks from May 6 to 20.

However, even after the show ended, viewers’ hot interest and lingering feelings continued.In the midst of this, Donga.com met the player who is at the center of attention, model Choi Hyun-jun, a graduate of KAIST.

From the sleeveless exposure(?) episode to the unexpected fighting spirit of the injured Choi Hyun-jun shared various behind-the-scenes stories that were not shown on TV.We looked back on the journey of ‘Devil’s Plan 2 ‘with him, who has shed his’ anxious mind ‘and returned to his original’ loveable self ‘.Below is a Q&A.

[DA : Interview ②] Continued.

Q You looked very tired during the last prison match, the semi-final,’ Formula Pyramid ‘.Jeong Hyeon-gyu said that he couldn’ t see the screen well and that he was shaking his body and opening his eyes wide because he was so focused.Were you influenced by his actions?

A I got a lot.Hyung-gyu did well.Whether he intended to or not, it’s just a shame because I stopped him.Hyung was good at making gestures to press the button and then not pressing it when I saw him.His expression was so scary.He acted so combatively that I think I actually stopped him.I think he interrupted me by talking to me here and there.I should’ve yelled at him or covered his eyes or something.Haha.I ended it by saying, ‘Hyung, you really play games fiercely.’

Q When you look back on ‘Devil’s Plan ‘, which game was the most difficult?

A The last’ Formula Pyramid ‘.I was physically exhausted, and the one-on-one match leading to the finals was brutal.I was incredibly stressed.

Q The review comment that you were amazed when you saw the numbers at the time of’ Formula Pyramid ‘was impressive.

A I don’ t know who made it, but I still think it’s a game made by mathematicians.Mathematicians try to use numbers in a fun way, but ‘19’ ? I thought, ‘This is something that only mathematicians can make.’ That became poison.’They can make it like this,’ ‘There are so many prime numbers, but they can make numbers that aren’ t prime.’ I felt it many times.When I looked at the board, it passed through my mind, but I couldn’t concentrate on the calculations.It’s like an occupational disease.

Q I expected you to do well in KAIST’s Department of Mathematics, but I guess you couldn’t concentrate because you were so amazed by the ‘numbers’.

A That is a beautiful packaging.In fact, it is a mistake to think that mathematicians are good at arithmetic.We do not give answers because we value the process of reaching the answer rather than focusing on the answer.There is no need to give a numerical answer.The ‘pyramid of equations’ requires a numerical answer, but we do not do it well.It is my lack of ability.I think it should not be packaged.


Q I’m going to pick out some memorable lines from ‘Devil’s Plan ‘.① After succeeding in the hidden stage, “I really went there thinking I would die.That’s why I came back alive” ② In response to Jung Hyun-gyu’s “Do you know how to do math?” , “No, I know.What are you talking about” in the interview that followed “Hyun-gyu hyung, you have to go home today” ③ While watching ‘Baduk’, “Eun-yu noona looks so pretty now” ④ In ‘Suspicious Betting’, “Do it.I can do it” If you had to choose one, which would it be?

A ② “Hyun-gyu hyung has to go home today.” This is a line that runs through my narrative.All my actions started with sending Hyun-gyu hyung home.The production team only put that line in once, but I actually said it many times.I said it during ‘Halloween Monster’ and when I had short conversations with the writers.It’s the line I said the most.

I think the PD knew, and the players talked a lot about it.’What is the main narrative that runs through this program?’.If you watch the program’s intro video, a character who breaks his chains in prison confronts a character who came out of the living quarters.One jumps out of a well, and the other comes out while unfolding a card.I think that’s me and Hyun-gyu hyung.When Hyun-gyu hyung said that he set us up as an adversary, I said, ‘Hyung, do you know that now? I always wanted to send you away.’

Q You two played together in the beginning….Although your roles were different in ‘Corrupt Police’, you were also on the same team.

A I think my brother had a grudge against me back then.He lied to me.

Q Isn’t this the ‘Devil’s Plan ‘where lies and betrayal are possible?

A I felt bad when he said that to me(laughs).Hyungyu hyung has a unique way of speaking.’ So what are you going to do? I won.’ I wanted to pinch his nose.But as time went by, I wanted to send him home more.

It didn’t make sense that the Living Dong Alliance was solidified.Usually, for an alliance to be solidified, there has to be a small interest that benefits oneself and a large interest that maintains the alliance.The reason why the alliance of the Living Dong trio(Jung Hyun-gyu, Yoon So-hee, and Kyu-hyun)seemed strange was because the premise seemed to be that it wasn’t their victory, but Hyun-gyu’s victory.

I tried to persuade them several times, but it didn’t work, so I just increased my resentment.If they understood that I wanted to win, that I wanted to go to the finals, I wouldn’t have touched them because they were similar to the Prison-dong Alliance.But there(the Living-dong Alliance)I didn’t know how to win, but I felt like I wanted to stay in Living-dong.Except for the three people in Living-dong, I think they felt like the game was wrong.


Q Is there a message you would like to give to the winner, Hyun-gyu Jeong? By the way, Hyun-gyu Jeong said that he has ‘nothing else’ besides saying that we are close.

A I’ve said sorry too many times.Hmm…I think that’s the weight of the winner.It’s the first thing I told my brother personally.’It’s okay because you won, but it’s not okay.’’Hold on to the weight of the crown that you have to bear.’ ‘We’ll do our best to help you, but in the end, you have to bear that weight alone.I want you to overcome it.We’ll treat you without prejudice.’ I always told him that.

Q What meaning will ‘Devil’s Plan 2 ‘have?

A A summer that will be remembered for a lifetime.The first memory that I can count on one hand is studying during my third year of high school, the second is my debut at Saint Laurent, and the third is’ Devil’s Plan 2 ‘.I think it will remain vivid and undimmed.

I hope viewers see me as Choi Hyun-joon passing by.Maybe because I’ve been a model for a long time, I’m like a chameleon.I’ll look different depending on the situation.In another program, they might hate me or see me as cool, but no matter what’s given, I just do my best for the program.

Q Do you plan on appearing on survival programs in the future? Even if not right away.

A ‘Not right now’ is good.I think I need to take a survival break for now.It’s not like I can go out if I want to, but if I feel like I can do it again after some time, I should go out.Survival is one thing, but the relationships you build in it, and the emotions you can feel for this person because it’s survival, are attractive.I think it’s a privilege that you can only feel in it.Those emotions are special.Even people you hated so much that you wanted to kill them are so lovable when they come out.The emotions you feel in a competitive relationship are attractive, so if I get the chance, I’ll go out again.


Q You graduated from KAIST early this year and have reached a new turning point.I’m curious about what you’re up to these days.

A I was so busy after ‘Devil’s Plan 2 ‘ended that I didn’ t have any personal time.Before I got busy, I liked working out, so I ran a lot with my friends.I met up with the ‘Devil’s Plan 2 ‘members quite often.I spent my time working out, studying math, and teaching math.

Q I happened to come across your personal blog, and you seem really serious about math.I also liked your story about running.

A Suddenly, my blog followers increased by 2,000.Where did they come from? I am thinking about closing the blog.It contains too many personal images.It is almost like a diary.I don’ t know who leaked it.I am seriously considering closing the blog.

Q It seems like there will be more places to visit as ‘Devil’s Plan 2 ‘becomes a hot topic.What are your plans for the future?

A I felt it during’ You Quiz on the Block ‘in 2021 and this time too, but the public’s interest is seasonal.I’m grateful for the interest, but I think it’s a continuation of the cycle of other great people receiving attention.For now, we should work hard at what we’ve been given, and when people don’t come to us as much as now, we should remember this moment and prepare for the next leap with a grateful heart.I realized this two years after ‘You Quiz on the Block’ ended.I thought that the period of receiving and not receiving attention was because of ‘my lack of ability’, but it was natural.

When you don’t get much attention, it seems like it’s attractive to be able to rest.This time, too, I think.Since there are many opportunities, I work hard, and if I have time to rest, I rest gratefully.I think about what other aspects I can show during my time off.Like a periodic function, like a sine function.

Q Even if it is not a survival show, would you be willing to appear if you are offered a broadcast?

A I have received several proposals so far.I have to confirm them, but I said I will do them all for now.I hope I can do well.I have to do well in line with the program’s purpose.I think I will come out in a different form.I will try hard.

Reporter Jeong com -yeon, Donga.com shine2562@donga
Photo courtesy of Ghost Agency-Netflix

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.