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| JTBC's new survival show "Over the Top" will premiere on Oct. 25. Courtesy of JTBC |
By Lee Gyu-lee
JTBC's new competition show, "Over the Top," is opening up a place for those battling to become the arm-wrestling champion of Korea.
"I'm sure everyone has tried arm wrestling at least once. In a way, it is the easiest, most popular game and challenge. Then, we wondered, 'Who would be the best arm-wrestler in Korea?' and that was the start of this show," the production team of the show said in a written interview released by the network, Monday.
The survival show, set to kick off Tuesday, invites participants from different professions, from celebrities and athletes to students and soldiers, to have one-on-one arm-wrestling matches for the final winning price of 100 million won ($69,600). Along with the host Jun Hyun-moo, comedians Moon Se-yoon, Lee Jin-ho and Kim Min-kyung and former basketball player Ha Seung-jin will take part as panelists for the competition.
Yoon Hyun-joon, who created the network's hit reality show, "Hyori's Homestay," and the music show, "Sing Again," took the lead in the show as the chief producer, joined by producer Park Seung-hwan.
The production team said that the country's first arm-wrestling show will introduce a new world to the viewers.
"The show holds a huge meaning in that it is the first arm-wrestling survival show. It might come as unfamiliar but it will open people's eyes to new fun. They will be able to see that arm wrestling, which is often taken as a simple game, can actually be considered a sport," it said.
"Many people think that arm wrestling is a simple game where the one with the stronger arm muscle wins. But there is a whole new world to arm wrestling that we didn't know, like there is quite a range of techniques and rules, as well as tactics for training."
It added that the program would show the potential of the simple but entertaining sport, as people who are committed to arm wrestling join to compete.
The team hinted that the show will also invite current and former arm-wrestling champions in the country, as well as Asia's top-ranking arm wrestler.
"The participating teams, divided into celebrities, athletes, non-celebrities and students, are interesting. In other words, anyone who is confident in competing, regardless of their profession or age, came onto the show," the team said.
"There are a handful of players who claim they have never lost in the game, like a UFC fighter, a 'ssireum' (traditional Korean wrestling) champion, current and former arm-wrestling champions in Korea and Asia's top-ranking arm wrestler."
The survival show airs every Tuesday at 8:50 p.m.
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