From Bill Gates to Jensen Huang: How 'You Quiz' became a global booking powerhouse

Jensen Huang / Courtesy of Nvidia

South Korea's hit talk show “You Quiz on the Block” is once again expanding its reach — this time with one of the most influential figures in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.

TvN announced Tuesday that Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, will appear on the popular variety program, marking another high-profile international booking for the show hosted by Yoo Jae-suk.

The appearance is drawing attention because Huang has rarely appeared on entertainment talk shows despite becoming one of the most recognizable faces of the AI boom. As Nvidia transformed from a graphics chip maker into a central player in the generative AI era, Huang emerged as a celebritylike figure in the tech world.

Huang arrived in Korea Friday. During a previous two-day trip last October, he generated headlines after meeting with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun in a casual fried chicken gathering.

His upcoming appearance on “You Quiz on the Block” has fueled curiosity over what kind of conversation he will have with Yoo, one of Korea's most influential television personalities.

The booking also highlights how far the program has evolved since its debut in August 2018.

Originally inspired by a street interview segment Yoo created during the variety show “Infinite Challenge,” “You Quiz on the Block” began as a simple format in which the hosts approached ordinary people on the street, interviewed them and gave quizzes.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the show to abandon its outdoor format and move into a studio setting. The change eventually transformed the program into a celebrity-focused talk show, allowing producers to invite a broader range of guests.

Timothee Chalamet / Captured from tvN

In recent seasons, the guest list has expanded well beyond Korea's entertainment industry.

Hollywood stars including Scarlett Johansson, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway have appeared on the show, often while promoting films in Korea.

But many viewers see the program's booking of Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chair of the Gates Foundation, as a turning point that elevated the show's global profile beyond entertainment.

Bill Gates / Captured from tvN

Now, with Huang joining the lineup, attention is turning to who could be next.

As “You Quiz on the Block” continues to move beyond actors and K-pop stars to feature world-renowned business leaders, innovators and scholars, the show's growing ability to secure guests once considered out of reach has become a story in itself.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.