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Problematic Men
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| Problematic Men | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Promotional poster | |
| Also known as | The Brainiacs |
| Genre | Talkshow Variety |
| Starring | See below |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 224 |
| Production | |
| Production location | South Korea |
| Running time | 75 minutes |
| Production company | tvN |
| Original release | |
| Network | tvN |
| Release | February 26, 2015 – February 13, 2020 |
Problematic Men (Korean: 문제적남자) was a South Korean television program that aired on tvN.[1][2]
The program went on hiatus after its broadcast on March 25, 2018.[3] On May 9, 2018, it was announced that the program would be returning as Season 2 from May 29, and would air on every Tuesday at 23:00 (KST), with no change in the current cast lineup.[4] Beginning January 7, 2019 the program aired on Mondays at 23:00 (KST).
The program was on another hiatus after its broadcast on June 10, 2019, as the program was to be replaced by More Salty Tour in its time slot, and it was slated to return in the second half of 2019.[5] On October 28, 2019, tvN confirmed the program would return as Season 3 starting November 21, 2019, with original cast members Tyler Rasch and Park Kyung (Block B) not returning. Plus, model Joo Woo-jae and YouTuber/entrepreneur Ddotty would join the cast as new members.[6]
The program had an indefinite hiatus as of February 13, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, which made filming of the program difficult. No update about the show was announced, indicating that the series has ended.[7]
A reboot of the program called Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition starring Jun Hyun-moo, Chung Seung-je, John Park, Suho, Bae Sung-jae and Kim Gyu-min, aired on June 23 and 30, 2025.[8]
Program
[edit]It is a talk show variety program that focuses on various types of problems every week, sometimes with a theme. The cast invited for this program are 6 males, that have been labelled as "men with hot brains".
Traditionally, the cast is given clues to guess the identity of the episode's guest(s), and once the guest appears and are introduced, they and the cast are given a set of problems to solve. It is a tradition that all problems for the episode must be solved before the whole recording of the episode would end.
Season 3 features the theme of Brain Wanderers Squad/Travelling Brainiacs (브레인 유랑단), where the cast goes outdoors, unlike most of the previous 2 seasons when they were in the studio. The 6 cast members travel to various places around South Korea, varying from campuses to companies. For each place, the members would be split into 2 teams of 3 to look for people who they think are hidden brainiacs in the place and each team selects one to join, and the 2 teams go against each other in a battle of problem solving.[9] The winning team can get off work on time, while the losing team has to stay in the campus to study after filming for the show is complete.
Airtime
[edit]| Air date | Airtime |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
| February 26 – July 16, 2015 | Thursdays at 11:00 PM KST |
| August 16, 2015 – March 25, 2018 | Sundays at 10:30 PM KST |
| Season 2 | |
| May 29, 2018 – January 1, 2019 | Tuesdays at 11:00 PM KST |
| January 7 – June 10, 2019 | Mondays at 11:00 PM KST |
| Season 3 | |
| November 21, 2019 – February 13, 2020 | Thursdays at 8:00 PM KST |
Cast
[edit]- Jun Hyun-moo (Ep 1–224)
- Kim Ji-seok (Ep 1–224; absent in episodes 174, 179–198)
- Lee Jang-won (Peppertones) (Ep 1–224; absent in episodes 135, 174)
- Tyler Rasch (Ep 1–211; absent in episodes 37–39, 56, 72, 145–148, 163–164, 174)
- Ha Seok-jin (Ep 1–224; absent in episode 174)
- RM (BTS) (Ep 1-21)
- Park Kyung (Block B) (Ep 25-211; absent in episodes 37–39, 77, 145, 149, 174, 205)
- Joo Woo-jae (Ep 212–224)
- Ddotty (Ep 212–224)
Episodes
[edit]In the ratings below, for each year, the highest rating for the show will be in red, and the lowest rating for the show will be in blue.
2015
[edit]List of 2015 episodes (episode 1-41)
| Episode # | Broadcast Date | Guest | Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 26, 2015 | - | 2.374% |
| 2 | March 5, 2015 | - | 1.834% |
| 3 | March 12, 2015 | Lee Won-suk | 1.633% |
| 4 | March 19, 2015 | - | 1.425% |
| 5 | March 26, 2015 | - | 1.838% |
| 6 | April 2, 2015 | - | 1.745% |
| 7 | April 9, 2015 | - | 1.978% |
| 8 | April 16, 2015 | - | 1.750% |
| 9 | April 23, 2015 | Jackson (GOT7) | 1.663% |
| 10 | April 30, 2015 | Suho (EXO) | 1.733% |
| 11 | May 7, 2015 | 1.492% | |
| 12 | May 14, 2015 | Kim Ban-seok (elder brother of Kim Ji-seok, graduate of University of Oxford) | 2.023% |
| 13 | May 21, 2015 | Kim Young-chul | 1.729% |
| 14 | May 28, 2015 | Han Seung-yeon (KARA) | 1.465% |
| 15 | June 4, 2015 | - | 1.426% |
| 16 | June 11, 2015 | Lee Ki-woo | 1.437% |
| 17 | June 18, 2015 | Ha Sang-wook (Author) | 1.496% |
| 18 | June 25, 2015 | Shin Jae Pyung | 1.908% |
| 19 | July 2, 2015 | Pyo Chang-won | 1.888% |
| 20 | July 9, 2015 | - | 2.027% |
| 21 | July 16, 2015 | Yang Se-hyung Lee Jin-ho |
1.790% |
| 22 | August 16, 2015 | Shin Jae Pyung | 1.568% |
| 23 | August 23, 2015 | Kim Chong-woon (Principal of a creative development institute, starter of Korea's pictorial brain warm-ups) Lee Chi-sung (Well known comic strips author, under the pseudonym CHO) Shin Jae Pyung |
1.872% |
| 24 | August 30, 2015 | Song Ki-moon (CTO of a game company) Shin Jae Pyung |
1.783% |
| 25 | September 6, 2015 | - | 2.311% |
| 26 | September 13, 2015 | - | 1.902% |
| 27 | September 20, 2015 | Dennis Hong | 1.951% |
| 28 | September 27, 2015 | - | 1.632% |
| 29 | October 4, 2015 | Lee Eun-gyeol | 1.796% |
| 30 | October 11, 2015 | Jang Dong-min, Hong Jin-ho | 2.217% |
| 31 | October 18, 2015 | Kim Hyung-kyu (Dentist, broadcaster) | 2.163% |
| 32 | October 25, 2015 | Yoonhan | 1.846% |
| 33 | November 1, 2015 | Yoon So-hee | 2.508% |
| 34 | November 8, 2015 | Jang Jin | 2.119% |
| 35 | November 15, 2015 | Sung Jin-hwan, In Ho-jin (Sweet Sorrow) | 2.349% |
| 36 | November 22, 2015 | Hwang Jae Keun (designer) | 2.045% |
| 37 | November 29, 2015 | Shin Jae Pyung, Key (SHINee) | 2.157% |
| 38 | December 6, 2015 | 1.696% | |
| 39 | December 13, 2015 | 1.547% | |
| 40 | December 20, 2015 | Ji Joo-yeon (Actress, achieved Bachelor in Media Informatics at from Seoul National University) | 2.892% |
| 41 | December 27, 2015 | Lee Jun-seok | 2.522% |
2016
[edit]List of 2016 episodes (episode 42–92)
| Episode # | Broadcast Date | Guest | Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | January 3, 2016 | Go Joo-won | 2.808% |
| 43 | January 10, 2016 | Yoo Jae-hwan (Music producer) | 2.463% |
| 44 | January 17, 2016 | Lee Seung-won (Violist) | 2.863% |
| 45 | January 24, 2016 | Oh Sang-jin | 3.236% |
| 46 | January 31, 2016 | Choi Chang-yub (actor) | 2.720% |
| 47 | February 7, 2016 | Kim Sook, Kim Young-hee, Kim Min-kyung, Lee Se-young | 2.309% |
| 48 | February 14, 2016 | 2.934% | |
| 49 | February 21, 2016 | Kim Young-woo, Song Woo-jin (Sweet Sorrow) | 2.704% |
| 50 | February 28, 2016 | Special appearance by Laboum | 2.431% |
| 51 | March 6, 2016 | Yoo Jae-Myung | 1.913% |
| 52 | March 13, 2016 | Lee Tae-min (SHINee) | 1.646% |
| 53 | March 20, 2016 | Chloë Grace Moretz | 2.488% |
| 54 | March 27, 2016 | Kyuhyun (Super Junior) | 2.047% |
| 55 | April 3, 2016 | Sam Hammington, Sam Okyere | 2.308% |
| 56 | April 10, 2016 | Nop.K (musician) | 1.574% |
| 57 | April 17, 2016 | Lee Won-suk (Daybreak) | 1.739% |
| 58 | April 24, 2016 | Block B | 2.424% |
| 59 | May 1, 2016 | 1.400% | |
| 60 | May 8, 2016 | eAeon (Mot) | 1.748% |
| 61 | May 15, 2016 | Sa Hye-won (sophomore student at the University of Oxford) | 2.782% |
| 62 | May 22, 2016 | Cho Tae-kwan (actor) | 2.095% |
| 63 | May 29, 2016 | Park So-jin (Girl's Day) | 2.212% |
| 64 | June 5, 2016 | Dr. Simpson (rapper) | 2.274% |
| 65 | June 12, 2016 | Yang Se-chan, Lee Yong-jin | 2.440% |
| 66 | June 19, 2016 | Joo Woo-jae (model) | 2.575% |
| 67 | June 26, 2016 | Tony An | 2.733% |
| 68 | July 3, 2016 | JaePyung Shin (Peppertones), Song Ki-mun, Joo Woo-jae, Sung Jin-hwan (Sweet Sorrow), Jang Dong-min, Special appearance by Lovelyz on episode 69 |
1.872% |
| 69 | July 10, 2016 | 2.175% | |
| 70 | July 17, 2016 | Kwon Sun-il (Urban Zakapa) | 2.849% |
| 71 | July 24, 2016 | Kim Nam-hee (sports announcer, 2014 Miss Korea contestant, Mensa International member) | 2.204% |
| 72 | July 31, 2016 | Roy Kim, Joo Woo Jae | 3.097% |
| 73 | August 7, 2016 | Ko Na-young, Seo Yu-ri (student), Jung Min-gun | 2.591% |
| 74 | August 14, 2016 | 1.943% | |
| Dominic O'Brien, Joo Woo-jae (standing in for Park Kyung) | |||
| 75 | August 21, 2016 | 1.733% | |
| 76 | August 28, 2016 | John Park | 2.450% |
| 77 | September 4, 2016 | Wendy (Red Velvet), Joo Woo-jae (standing in for Park Kyung) | 2.236% |
| 78 | September 11, 2016 | Jun. K (2PM) | 1.734% |
| 79 | September 18, 2016 | Lee Soo-geun | 2.118% |
| 80 | September 25, 2016 | Choi Jung-moon | 2.684% |
| 81 | October 2, 2016 | Kim Ji-woon (chef, graduate of Eton College) | 2.819% |
| 82 | October 16, 2016 | Choi Min-ho (Shinee) | 1.969% |
| 83 | October 23, 2016 | Yoon Duk-won (Broccoli You Too) | 2.250% |
| 84 | October 30, 2016 | Jung Ha-eun, Jung Ji-woong (children of Jung Eun-pyo) | 2.710% |
| 85 | November 6, 2016 | Goo Sae-bom (announcer), Goo Se-kyung (sisters) |
1.897% |
| 86 | November 13, 2016 | Cha Eun-woo (ASTRO) | 1.878% |
| 87 | November 20, 2016 | Lee Jong-beom (webcomic artist) | 1.777% |
| 88 | November 27, 2016 | J-Min | 2.103% |
| 89 | December 4, 2016 | Yellow Bench (music duo) | 2.696% |
| 90 | December 11, 2016 | Park Sae-him (elder sister of Block B Park Kyung) | 2.447% |
| 91 | December 18, 2016 | myunDo (rapper) | 1.940% |
| 92 | December 25, 2016 | Park Na-rae, Kim Ji-min, Ahn Young-mi, Kang Yoo-mi, Oh Nami, Heo Anna | 2.406% |
2017
[edit]List of 2017 episodes (episode 93-144)
| Episode # | Broadcast Date | Guest | Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93 | January 1, 2017 | Park Na-rae, Kim Ji-min, Ahn Young-mi, Kang Yoo-mi, Oh Nami, Heo Anna | 2.629% |
| 94 | January 8, 2017 | Kim Jeong-hoon | 4.006% |
| 95 | January 15, 2017 | Kim Jae-kyung, Lee Young-rae (SAT 2017 full marks candidates) (Special voice appearance by Jeon So-mi) |
3.135% |
| 96 | January 22, 2017 | Yong Duk Jhun (Digital cinematographer working at DreamWorks Animation) | 3.016% |
| 97 | January 29, 2017 | Seo Bo-hyun (Harvard University student, 2 time world debating champion) | 3.142% |
| 98 | February 5, 2017 | Choi Jeong, Oh Jeong-ah (Go players) | 3.648% |
| 99 | February 12, 2017 | Oh Min-suk | 2.148% |
| 100 | February 19, 2017 | 100th Episode Special (Part 1); Special appearance by Cosmic Girls | 3.406% |
| 101 | February 26, 2017 | 100th Episode Special (Part 2) | 3.097% |
| 102 | March 5, 2017 | Song Jae-kyeong (vocal of indie band 9 and the Numbers, chief of strategic planning department of one of the top construction companies in Korea) | 2.412% |
| 103 | March 12, 2017 | Kangnam | 2.499% |
| 104 | March 19, 2017 | Kim Dong-hyeok (Civil servant), Joo Woo-jae (stand-in for Park Kyung) | 2.336% |
| 105 | March 26, 2017 | Stella Jang (Singer-songwriter, graduate of Agro ParisTech, a Grandes école, majoring in Life Engineering), Shin Jae-pyung (stand-in for Park Kyung) |
2.433% |
| 106 | April 2, 2017 | Lisa (singer, musical actress), Lee Kyu-chang (CEO of Kin033 Entertainment, graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in business) (both are married to each other) |
2.103% |
| 107 | April 9, 2017 | Won Jong-gun (appeared on MBC's Exclamation Mark - Open Your Eyes in 2005; currently graduated from Kyung Hee University, majoring in Information and Communication; also the recipient of 2016 Korea's Talent award) | 2.268% |
| 108 | April 16, 2017 | Lee Su-ryeon (actress, former security agent in Presidential Security Service, achieved Masters in International Security Studies at Yonsei University and Bachelor in English Literature at Ewha Womans University) | 2.639% |
| 109 | April 23, 2017 | Seo Kyung-seok | 2.005% |
| 110 | April 30, 2017 | Kang Min-gil, Jung Won-ho, Kim Young-jong, Hong Hyuk-pyo, Ryu Chan-young, Han Kyu-beom (KAIST Special) | 2.769% |
| 111 | May 7, 2017 | 1.921% | |
| 112 | May 14, 2017 | Han Jun-hee (Software engineer at Google, achieved Bachelor of Science, software engineering at Sungkyunkwan University) | 2.456% |
| 113 | May 21, 2017 | Peter Han (Musician, University of Vienna graduate with major in English Literature) | 1.886% |
| 114 | May 28, 2017 | Nahzam Sue (Singer, producer, audio engineer, member of band Sultan of the Disco) | 2.042% |
| 115 | June 4, 2017 | Sol Bi, Croquiky Brothers | 2.441% |
| 116 | June 11, 2017 | Lee Jung-hyun (Designer at Volvo, graduate of Umeå Institute of Design in Umeå University) | 2.078% |
| 117 | June 18, 2017 | Lee Min-woong (Home shopping host) | 2.001% |
| 118 | June 25, 2017 | Haim Shafir (board game designer), Laboum | 1.622% |
| 119 | July 2, 2017 | John Park, Roy Kim (Liberal arts VS Science team battle) | 2.052% |
| 120 | July 9, 2017 | Kwak Seung-jae (Leader of the South Korea national team for World Puzzle Championship, obtained master's degree in mathematics at Pohang University of Science and Technology) | 2.000% |
| 121 | July 16, 2017 | Lee Yeon-hwa (Creative director, bodybuilder) | 2.505% |
| 122 | July 23, 2017 | Park Ji-sun (Comedian, achieved Bachelor of Education at Korea University College of Education in Korea University), Shin Jae-pyung (standing in for Park Kyung) |
3.042% |
| 123 | July 30, 2017 | Choi Hyun-woo (Magician), Song Young-jo (Doctorate student of Biology & Brain Engineering in KAIST) |
3.142% |
| 124 | August 6, 2017 | Im Young-min, Yu Seon-ho, Lee Eui-woong (Produce 101 Season 2 contestants) |
2.687% |
| 125 | August 13, 2017 | Kang Sung-tae (Online learning lecturer, studied in Seoul National University) | 2.655% |
| 126 | August 20, 2017 | Jasmine Saein Park (Graduated from Stanford University, worked at Microsoft, Seoul International School high honor student, daughter of Insooni) | 2.272% |
| 127 | August 27, 2017 | Kim Jun-heon (National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun's administrative secretary, Seoul National University's College of Education graduate) | 2.325% |
| 128 | September 3, 2017 | Shin Jae-pyung, Kwak Seung-jae (World Puzzle Championship 2017 national representatives preliminaries Special) |
2.731% |
| 129 | September 10, 2017 | Moon Ga-young | 2.455% |
| 130 | September 17, 2017 | Ahn Jeong-hyun, Kim Da-in (2017 International Mathematical Olympiad South Korea national team representatives, both won gold medals, studied at Seoul Science High School) | 3.119% |
| 131 | September 24, 2017 | Choi Han-jin, Park Jong-geol (Korea University students) Kim Woon-yeon, Lee Chung-hee (Yonsei University students) (Korea University–Yonsei University rivalry Special) |
2.954% |
| 132 | October 1, 2017 | Tony An, Taemin (SHINee), Shin Jae-pyung, Joo Woo-jae (Special voice appearances by Yoo In-young, Han Sun-hwa and Park Bo-ram on episode 132) (Autumn Picnic Special, Hardcore Treasure Hunt) |
2.304% |
| 133 | October 8, 2017 | 1.884% | |
| 134 | October 15, 2017 | Choi Yu-ri (Airline crew manager, worked for Qatar Airways for 5 years, graduate of Sungshin Women's University Department of German Language and Literature), Choi Yu-na (Entrepreneur, 2013 Miss Korea Seoul 2nd runner-up, former reporter, graduate of Sookmyung Women's University Department of Economics), Choi Yu-sol (Model, graduate of Ewha Womans University Department of Korean Language and Literature) (The three are sisters) |
3.037% |
| 135 | October 22, 2017 | Yoon Jung-soo, P.O (Block B) (standing in for Lee Jang-won) |
2.909% |
| 136 | October 29, 2017 | Jang Jin-mo (Chef, crafted all dishes meant for drama Temperature of Love) | 2.377% |
| 137 | November 5, 2017 | Ddotty (YouTuber, graduate of Yonsei University's Yonsei Law School, co-entrepreneur of Sandbox Network, 2017 Korea Cable TV Awards One Man Creator Award winner) | 2.208% |
| 138 | November 12, 2017 | EXID (except Solji) | 2.422% |
| 139 | November 19, 2017 | Lee Jeong-eun (HR consultant working in Paris, awarded master's degrees for administrative, management and economics from international organisations in France, first Korean to be promoted from intern to official staff at OECD) | 2.275% |
| 140 | November 26, 2017 | Park Seong-ho (KAIST Department of Industrial Design top graduate, took part in National Creative Olympiad for 4 consecutive years, Audi Awards 2016 Excellence Award recipient for Best Innovation) | 2.112% |
| 141 | December 3, 2017 | Kim Ji-seok, Ahn Sung-joon (Go players) | 2.313% |
| 142 | December 10, 2017 | Ryan S. Jhun (Record producer, was qualified for Berklee College of Music, New York University Department of Music, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Queens College, City University of New York, Queensborough Community College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and City University of New York) | 2.262% |
| 143 | December 17, 2017 | Jo Seung-yeon (Humanities writer, graduated from New York University, Sorbonne University and École du Louvre, speaks 7 languages), Claudio Jung/Jung Kyung (Baritone, current Kookmin University professor, speaks 3 languages), Choi Sung-jun (Actor, graduated from Seoul National University, Mensa International member with top 2% IQ in South Korea), Blair Williams (Television personality, graduated from University of Queensland), Kim Rok (Currently the CEO of an advertising company, graduated from Hanyang University, former reporter and announcer), Yoo In-young (Year End Special) |
3.229% |
| 144 | December 24, 2017 | 3.245% |
2018
[edit]List of 2018 episodes (episode 145-187)
| Episode # | Broadcast Date | Guest | Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | January 7, 2018 | Chang Ki-ha (Musician, Seoul National University graduate with bachelor's degree in sociology) Jeon Jae-yoon (ETH Zurich Atmospheric Sciences master's degree student) Jae Gal So-young (ETH Zurich Physics Doctorate student) Kim Bae-jeong (ETH Zurich Chemistry and Applied Science Doctorate student) |
2.627% |
| 146 | January 14, 2018 | 1.757% | |
| Kim So-yeon (Mammut Sports Group's only Korean worker, ski suit designer) | |||
| 147 | January 21, 2018 | Chang Ki-ha | 2.095% |
| 148 | January 28, 2018 | An Mi-na (Actress, Yonsei University graduate majoring in Philosophy and Psychology) Blair Williams (standing in for Tyler Rasch) |
2.166% |
| 149 | February 4, 2018 | Paul M. Yun (Current El Camino College professor, only Korean ambassador for NASA, admissions officer for Harvard University, obtained master's degree in education from Harvard University, Master's degree in mathematics from University of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor's degree in mathematics from University of California, Berkeley, also SAT, GRE and GMAT Mathematics questions setter) | 2.328% |
| 150 | February 11, 2018 | Lee Seung-jin (White Hat hacker, CEO of a number one security system consulting enterprise in South Korea) Kang Heung-soo (White Hat hacker, developer of V3 (South Korea representative computer vaccine that has acknowledgement from Samsung, Microsoft and more), has an IQ of 156) Jang Joon-ho (White Hat hacker, first 3rd place from Asia in the finals of world hacking competition DEF CON, recipient of the Presidential Award in Talent Medal of Korea, Pohang University of Science and Technology's Information Security research group chairman) |
2.931% |
| 151 | February 18, 2018 | Kwon Hyuk-soo | 2.399% |
| 152 | February 25, 2018 | No guests (3rd Anniversary Special) | 1.369% |
| 153 | March 4, 2018 | Yoon Duk-won (Episode 83 guest) Choi Eo-jin (Episode 89 guest) Chang Ki-ha (Episodes 145-147 guest) Kwak Seung-jae (Episodes 120, 128 guest) Jang Joon-ho (Episode 150 guest) Oh Tae-seok (Episode 100 guest) Choi Sung-jun (Episodes 143-144 guest) Kim Da-in (Episode 130 guest) Han Kyu-beom (Episodes 110-111 guest) Jung Won-ho (Episodes 110-111 guest) (3rd Anniversary Special #2: Hot Brain Game of Thrones Special) |
2.273% |
| 154 | March 11, 2018 | '3rd Anniversary Special #2: Hot Brain Game of Thrones Special Part 2; Special appearance by Momoland | 1.923% |
| 155 | March 18, 2018 | Kim Ji-hoon (Special appearances by Oh My Girl (YooA, Seunghee) through video) |
1.357% |
| 156 | March 25, 2018 | Ji Il-joo (Actor, member of Mensa International, has an IQ of 156, obtained master's degree from College of Arts in Chung-Ang University) (Final episode of Season 1) |
2.010% |
| Season 2 | |||
| 157 | May 29, 2018 | (Special appearances by baritone Claudio Jung/Jung Kyung and mezzo-soprano Im Jeong-sook) | 1.332% |
| 158 | June 5, 2018 | No guests | 2.121% |
| 159 | June 12, 2018 | 1.310% | |
| 160 | June 19, 2018 | Kim Dae-shik (Current professor in KAIST's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, professor in the Max Planck Society, had undergone postdoctoral course for Brain and Cognitive Sciences in Massachusetts Institute of Technology, researcher at Riken, assistant tutor in University of Minnesota, associate professor in Boston University) | 1.447% |
| 161 | June 26, 2018 | Ji So-yun | 1.183% |
| 162 | July 3, 2018 | Yoo Byung-jae | 1.306% |
| 163 | July 10, 2018 | Lee Si-won (Actress, achieved bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University and master's degree in anthropology from Seoul National University Graduate School) | 1.827% |
| 164 | July 17, 2018 | Hyelim | 1.700% |
| 165 | July 24, 2018 | Jeong Cheol-gyu (Comedian, Kyungnam University graduate majoring in electronic engineering, Mensa member since May 2018, member of Civiq Society, has an IQ of 172) Lee Yoon-sang (Announcer, Mensa member since 2007 with a tested IQ of 164) Kim In-beom (Student from Seoul National University majoring in mechanical engineering, Mensa member) Kim Dong-hyun (Rubik's Cube player, current Korea record setter for solving of 2x2x2 Rubik's Cube, Mensa member) (Mensa Avengers Special) |
1.281% |
| 166 | July 31, 2018 | Lee Gyu-bin (Civil servant starting from May 2019, currently studying at Seoul National University majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in marketing, passed the Financial Administrative Examination Level 5, participant of Heart Signal Season 2) | 1.520% |
| 167 | August 7, 2018 | Choi Hong-woo (13 years old, took part in the 2014 and 2015 Mathematical Kangaroo and obtained 11th place among all contestants, gold medal in the 2018 International Olympiad in Informatics preliminaries, attended the Center for Talented Youth) Hwang Chan-woo (11 years old, youngest to be invited to the Blue House as a member) Oh Jung-hyun and Oh Jung-hoon (10 years old twins, 2017 World Puzzle Championship contestants, Asia Sudoku Championship 2018 team round 1st place) Hong Han-joo (14 years old, mathematics formula genius) (Problematic Men VS Young Geniuses Special) |
1.725% |
| 168 | August 14, 2018 | Choi Tae-seong (History lecturer in EBSi) Han Soo-yeon (National Liberation Day of Korea Special) |
1.576% |
| 169 | August 21, 2018 | Lee Min-hyung (18 years old, current intern at Seoul National University medical research center) | 1.630% |
| 170 | August 28, 2018 | Aron (NU'EST) Cho Joo-hee (ABC News' Seoul bureau chief and reporter) |
2.002% |
| 171 | September 4, 2018 | iKON (Jinhwan, B.I, Donghyuk) | 1.240% |
| 172 | September 11, 2018 | DIA (Huihyeon, Chaeyeon, Somyi) | 1.292% |
| 173 | September 18, 2018 | Lee Eun-gyeol Kang Sung-joo (Current senior researcher at Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin graduate majoring in Physics and Astronomy, completed University of Iowa's Astrophysics doctorate course) |
1.939% |
| 174 | September 25, 2018 | Shin Bong-sun Park Ji-sun (Comedian, achieved Bachelor of Education at Korea University College of Education in Korea University) Lee Si-won (Actress, achieved bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University and master's degree in anthropology from Seoul National University Graduate School) Park Shin-young (Freelance announcer, former announcer of MBC Sports Plus, achieved Bachelor in Economics at New York University) Go So-hyun (Model, graduated from Ewha Womans University majoring in Computer Science) Hyelim (Chuseok Special: Problematic Women) |
1.893% |
| 175 | October 2, 2018 | Hikaru Suzuki (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law, was awarded the Hult Prize, acknowledged by Stanford University) Sou Mizukami (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine, top 0.01% in Japan) Hinano Sugimoto (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's School of Science Department of Physics, 1st place in Miss International Japan 2018) Takushi Izawa (Currently studying at University of Tokyo Graduate School studying agricultural economics, director of a questions and answers magazine, from University of Tokyo majoring in economics) Takemata Beni (Japanese professional Shogi player, currently studying at Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics) Ogi Hitoshi (Graduated from Keio University, member of Non-Summit) (Korea VS Japan Special) |
2.842% |
| 176 | October 9, 2018 | 1.909% | |
| 177 | October 16, 2018 | Croquiky Brothers | 2.620% |
| 178 | October 23, 2018 | Kim Jung-hyun (Carrie; 2015 Miss Intercontinental Korea Semi Winner) Lee Sung-in (Ellie; studied in Capital Normal University, current director of CarrieSoft) Hyun Chae-min (Lucy; speaks French, Japanese and English) (The three are part of YouTube channel Carrie TV) |
2.161% |
| 179 | October 30, 2018 | Kim Jin-yeob (Actor, singer, scholarship student from Korea University) Key (Shinee) (standing in for Kim Ji-seok) |
1.810% |
| 180 | November 6, 2018 | Jeon Hyun-moo (Currently studying in Konkuk University majoring in physics) Ha Seok-jin (Currently studying in Sogang University majoring in computer engineering) Park Kyung (Lawyer, graduated from law school 6 years ago) Lee Jang-won (Obtained master's degree in plastic surgery from Yonsei University's Severance Hospital, IQ150) Tyler Maxey (English teacher working in Korea for 1 year, from Texas) |
2.091% |
| 181 | November 13, 2018 | Park Chan-hoo (Currently studying at Pohang University of Science and Technology's Computer Engineering course) Kim Hyun-sung (Currently studying at Pohang University of Science and Technology's Electrical and Electronic Engineering course) (Both are co-founders of media startup Geekble, which was listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2018 list, and was awarded the 1st Google Newslab Fellowship scholarship) |
1.733% |
| 182 | November 20, 2018 | Kim Seo-yeon (Miss Korea 2014 winner, graduated from Ewha Womans University majoring in Business Administration, vice-leader of Seoul branch's Global Shaper Community for World Economic Forum) Lee Chae-rin (World Miss University 2017 contestant, currently studying in Korea University majoring in Business Administration) Han Ga-hyeon (2017 Chunhyang Selection Contest's Miss Chunhyang, currently studying in Sogang University for triple major in National Literature, News Media and Education Culture) |
2.234% |
| 183 | November 27, 2018 | Kim Beom-joon (Chief Technology Officer of popular delivery app Delivery's Nation, graduated from KAIST School of Computing) Jang In-seong (Chief Brand Officer of popular delivery app Delivery's Nation) |
1.619% |
| 184 | December 4, 2018 | Kwon Hyuk-gyu (Currently studying in Pohang University of Science and Technology, currently operating a SNS account for assistance in solving mathematics problems) Choi Hyun-joon (Currently studying in KAIST, achieved top 0.2% in Baccalauréat examinations) Kim Yeon-joon (Currently working at Ewha Womans University as a mathematics tutor for undergraduates and postgraduates) Kim Myung-soo (Currently studying in Seoul National University, achieved 1st place in academics among the entire Seoul Science High School) Choi Kyung-don (Currently studying in Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) |
2.124% |
| 185 | December 11, 2018 | AIVAN (Singer-songwriter; currently studying at Yonsei University as a scholarship master's degree student, member of Mensa International with IQ 156, formerly an intern reporter of CNN Korea) Sungjoo (UNIQ member, actor; previously studied in China for 3 years) Han Min-se (Singer-songwriter, part of Long:D; graduated from Yonsei University majoring in philosophy) Siyoon (Singer, actor, former member of Paran and U-KISS; studied in Columbia University) Inseong (SF9 member; studied in London for one year) Yoonsan (HOTSHOT member; stayed in France for 8 years, majored in design, was an intern designer at Chanel) Joo Eo-jin (Model) Park Chan-gyu (Model) Hyunuk (IN2IT member) Taro (Hot Blood Youth Member) (Problematic Men Intern Selections Special) |
2.145% |
| 186 | December 18, 2018 | Michael K. Lee (Musical actor, graduate of Stanford University majoring in psychology and medicine) Ham Yon-ji (Musical actress, graduated from Daewon Foreign Language High School, graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts) AIVAN (as Problematic Men Intern) |
2.451% |
| 187 | December 25, 2018 | Lee Si-won (Actress, achieved bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University and master's degree in anthropology from Seoul National University Graduate School) Park Shin-young (Freelance announcer, former announcer of MBC Sports Plus, achieved Bachelor in Economics at New York University) Han Ga-hyeon (2017 Chunhyang Selection Contest's Miss Chunhyang, currently studying in Sogang University for triple major in National Literature, News Media and Education Culture) Stella Jang (Singer-songwriter, graduate of Agro ParisTech, a Grandes école, majoring in Life Engineering) Jeon Sung-cho (Arirang TV newscaster, currently studying at Ewha Womans University's Graduate School of Translation and Interpreting, achieved bachelor's degree in Geography and Environmental Science from Florida State University) Park Yoo-rim (Currently studying in KAIST, former member of all-girl children's group 7 Princess) Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) (Christmas Special: Problematic Men VS Problematic Women) |
2.221% |
2019
[edit]List of 2019 episodes (episode 188-217)
| Episode # | Broadcast Date | Guest | Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 188 | January 1, 2019 | WINNER (Lee Seung-hoon, Kang Seung-yoon) (New Year's Special: Escape The Cube) |
1.884% |
| Change in broadcast time to every Monday 23:00 (KST) | |||
| 189 | January 7, 2019 | Lee Soo-rin (Year 3 student at University of Cambridge majoring in mechanical engineering) Shin Joon-ha (Year 3 student at University of Cambridge majoring in information engineering) Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) |
1.958% |
| 190 | January 14, 2019 | Hwang Je-sung (Comedian, achieved bachelor's degree in performing arts from Sungkyunkwan University) Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) |
2.315% |
| 191 | January 21, 2019 | Oumaima Fatih (from Morocco, studied in Seoul National University majoring in construction engineering) Eugina Svetlana (from Russia, currently studying at Sungkyunkwan University majoring in political diplomacy, graduated from an arts school in Russia with full marks in all modules) Daniel Tudor (from England, studied in University of Oxford, former Korea branch president of The Economist, former Blue House overseas speech secretary advisory committee, member of Mensa International with IQ 177 since he was 12) Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) (Global Special Part 1) |
2.067% |
| 192 | January 28, 2019 | Min Jin-woong Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) |
1.966% |
| 193 | February 4, 2019 | Kim Chang-jin (Ha Seok-jin's manager) Han Jae-sang (Jun Hyun-moo's manager) Min Byung-hoon (Lee Jang-won's manager) Jeong Hwang-joo (Tyler Rasch's manager) Lee Won-ho (Park Kyung's manager) |
1.805% |
| 194 | February 11, 2019 | Jin Ji-hee | 1.489% |
| 195 | February 18, 2019 | (Global Special Part 2: Problematic Men VS National University of Singapore) | 1.775% |
| 196 | February 25, 2019 | Seol Min-seok (History lecturer) Go So-hyun (Model, graduated from Ewha Womans University majoring in Computer Science) |
2.696% |
| 197 | March 4, 2019 | No guests (Korea VS Japan Revenge Match Part 1: Standby training at Kumamoto, Japan) |
1.573% |
| 198 | March 11, 2019 | Sou Mizukami (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine, top 0.01% in Japan) Takushi Izawa (Currently studying at University of Tokyo Graduate School studying agricultural economics, director of a questions and answers magazine, from University of Tokyo majoring in economics) Takemata Beni (Japanese professional Shogi player, currently studying at Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics) Shinya Sunagawa (Qualified for University of Tokyo, Waseda University and Keio University at the same period; 2018 Mr University Of Tokyo) Ema Katahara (Currently studying at Keio University majoring in English and American Literature; Self-learnt 5 languages: Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese and Swahili; received the Heather Diary Award at the 2018 Miss Keio) (Korea VS Japan Revenge Match Part 2 at Kumamoto, Japan) |
1.338% |
| 199 | March 18, 2019 | No guests (Kim Ji-seok's Comeback Special: Save Ji-seok from the Cube) |
1.433% |
| 200 | March 25, 2019 | 200th Episode Special: 200 VS 6 (Part 1) (Special appearances by Lee Eun-gyeol and Lee Si-won) |
2.005% |
| 201 | April 1, 2019 | 200th Episode Special: 200 VS 6 (Part 2) (Special appearances by Croquiky Brothers) |
1.762% |
| 202 | April 8, 2019 | Kim Moon-gi (Seoul National University's School of Dentistry graduate, Class Of 1989; father of Kim Jin-ha and Kim Joon-hwi) Kim Jin-ha (Seoul National University's College of Medicine student, Class of 2016) Kim Joon-hwi (Seoul National University's School of Dentistry student, Class of 2018) |
1.755% |
| 203 | April 15, 2019 | Jun Bum-sun (Singer, songwriter, vocal of rock band Jun Bum-sun and The Yangbans; Dartmouth College alumnus, attained master's degree in history at University of Oxford Graduate Admissions school, formerly an Ivy League admissions coordinator, was qualified for Columbia Law School, University of Cambridge Graduate Admissions school and University of Oxford Graduate Admissions school at the same time) | 1.611% |
| 204 | April 22, 2019 | Park Sung-kwang | 1.554% |
| 205 | April 29, 2019 | IZ*ONE Blair Williams (standing in for Park Kyung) |
1.592% |
| 206 | May 6, 2019 | Cha Jae-yi (Actress, daughter of Cha Hwa-yeon; had early graduation from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, scored full marks for mathematics in SAT) | 1.529% |
| 207 | May 13, 2019 | Lee Sa-gang (Film director, graduated from London Film School) | 1.148% |
| 208 | May 20, 2019 | Andy Park (Visual director working for Marvel Studios, comic book artist, illustrator, concept artist) | 1.202% |
| 209 | May 27, 2019 | Kim Jong-min | 1.796% |
| 210 | June 3, 2019 | Ki Dong-hoon (Emergency medicine specialist) Lee Ho-sang (Fire lieutenant for Daejeon Fire Department) Kim Tae-il (Staff of Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) |
0.848% |
| 211 | June 10, 2019 | Hwang Chi-yeul Yoo Byung-jae Park Shin-young (Freelance announcer, former announcer of MBC Sports Plus, achieved Bachelor in Economics at New York University) Stella Jang (Singer-songwriter, graduate of Agro ParisTech, a Grandes école, majoring in Life Engineering) Hyelim Inseong (SF9 member; studied in London for one year) (Final episode of Season 2) |
1.319% |
| Season 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode # | Broadcast Date | Location | Teams | Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea) |
| 212 | November 21, 2019 | Pohang University of Science and Technology | Team Hyunmoo: Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Jang-won, Ddotty, Oh Yoon-jae[a] Team Seokjin: Ha Seok-jin, Kim Ji-seok, Joo Woo-jae, Kim Yoon-hee[b] |
2.044% |
| 213 | November 28, 2019 | 1.945% | ||
| 214 | December 5, 2019 | Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine | Team Woojae: Joo Woo-jae, Kim Ji-seok, Lee Jang-won, Lee Seung-hwan[c] Team Ddotty: Ddotty, Jun Hyun-moo, Ha Seok-jin, Seo Jung-hwan[d] |
1.863% |
| 215 | December 12, 2019 | Korean Minjok Leadership Academy | Team Jeong Yakyong: Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, Koo Min-gi[e] Team Yi Sun-sin: Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, Ddotty, Kim Yeon-seo[f] |
1.964% |
| 216 | December 19, 2019 | 1.585% | ||
| 217 | December 26, 2019 | SK Telecom | Team Arts: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Ddotty, Jang Yoo-seong[g] Team Science: Lee Jang-won, Ha Seok-jin, Joo Woo-jae, Lee Ji-soo[h] |
1.784% |
2020
[edit]List of 2020 episodes (episode 218-224)
| Episode # | Broadcast Date | Location | Teams | Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 218 | January 2, 2020 | Seoul Land | Team Hyunmoo: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, Verbal Jint Team Jangwon: Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, Ddotty, Park Sae-byul |
1.555% |
| 219 | January 9, 2020 | Gyeonggi Science High School | Team Hyunmoo: Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, Park Jeong-um[i] Team Followers: Ha Seok-jin, Kim Ji-seok, Ddotty, Hong Seok-joo[j] |
1.835% |
| 220 | January 16, 2020 | 1.825% | ||
| 221 | January 23, 2020 | Not Applicable[k] | Team OB: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Lee Jang-won, Song Young-joon[l] Team YB: Ha Seok-jin, Joo Woo-jae, Ddotty, Lee Jin-hyung[m] (Special appearances by AIVAN and Lee Seung-hyo[n]) |
1.611% |
| 222 | January 30, 2020 | Yonsei University | Sinchon Line: Jun Hyun-moo, Joo Woo-jae, Ddotty, Kim Yeon[o] 81 Line: Kim Ji-seok, Lee Jang-won, Ha Seok-jin, Jung Jin-tae[p] |
1.581% |
| 223 | February 6, 2020 | 1.229% | ||
| 224 | February 13, 2020 | Sandbox Network[q] | TBA: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, Oh Hyun-min TBA: Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, Ddotty, Yoo Byung-jae (Special appearance by Copychu) |
1.326% |
Note: This program airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters.
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | tvN10 Awards | Best Content Award, Variety | Problematic Men | Won |
| Best MC | Jun Hyun-moo | Nominated | ||
| Two Star Award | Kim Ji-seok | Nominated |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Postgraduate majoring in mathematics, graduated from elite high school with a top ranking, won awards at the university mathematics competition for 3 consecutive years
- ^ Undergraduate majoring in life engineering, was tested to have an IQ of 136 at 5 years old
- ^ Year 2 undergraduate; obtained full marks for mathematics, English and chemistry in 2016 College Scholastic Ability Test
- ^ Year 1 foundation student; graduated from high school with a top 0.1% ranking, was a winner of the Chemistry Research Frontier Prime Minister Award
- ^ Year 2 student; national representative for the International Linguistics Olympiad
- ^ Year 2 student; administrative head of committee of the school, won various certificates of outstanding accomplishment for debating
- ^ Mobility Business department team leader (1.5 years); graduated from Seoul National University majoring in mathematics, obtained masters in computer engineering in America, former CEO of a startup company (specialising in autonomous vehicles and AI) at Silicon Valley
- ^ MNO division Retention Team employee (2 years); former sports announcer
- ^ Year 2 student; Won gold award for KPHC and KMChC (physics and chemistry respectively), ranked 1st in school for mathematics and science
- ^ Year 1 student; Won the Korean Mathematical Olympiad gold award, ranked 1st in school for mathematics
- ^ CSAT Full Marks Scorers Special
- ^ Obtained full marks for CSAT 2020
- ^ Successfully applied for Seoul National University twice, obtained full marks for 2019 CSAT 2019
- ^ Student from Korean Minjok Leadership Academy
- ^ Year
- ^ Year 2 student, majoring in chemical engineering
- ^ Co-founder of the company is Ddotty
References
[edit]- ^ Ghim, Sora (February 25, 2015). "The Problematic Men Show Their Real Selves". BNTNews. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
- ^ Lim, Jeong-yeo (March 31, 2015). "Men with brains gain popularity in Korea". K-pop Herald. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
- ^ Lee, Hye-mi (March 25, 2018). '문남' 하석진, 시즌1 마지막 우승자 등극... 재충전 후 다시 만나요[종합]. TVReport (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- ^ Park, So-young (May 9, 2018). [공식입장] '문제적남자' 돌아온다..日→火 '현지먹' 후속 29일 첫방. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ^ Lee, A-young (May 8, 2019). '짠내투어2' 박명수·한혜진·이용진·규현 6월 17일 첫 방송 [종합]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ Park, Soo-in (October 28, 2019). '문제적남자' 주우재 도티 합류, 11월21일 첫방송 확정(공식). Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ Lee, Ha-na (February 27, 2020). '문제적 남자' 코로나19 여파 당분간 결방, 방송 재개시기 미정(공식). Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ Yu, Ji-hye (May 27, 2025). '문제적 남자' 5년 만에 부활...배성재·수호·존박 등 합류. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ Park, Soo-in (November 13, 2019). "전현무도 인정"..소통왕 도티→문남덕후 주우재, '문제적 남자' 입문기. enews24 (in Korean). Retrieved November 20, 2019.
External links
[edit]- Official website (in Korean)
Problematic Men
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Problematic Men (Korean: 문제적 남자; lit. "Problematic Man") is a South Korean variety television program that originally aired on the cable channel tvN from February 26, 2015, to June 10, 2019, across Seasons 1 and 2. Season 1 ran from 2015 to March 25, 2018, with 156 episodes broadcast primarily on Sundays for approximately 70 minutes each, followed by Season 2 from May 29, 2018, to June 10, 2019. The show features a panel of male celebrities, dubbed "men with hot brains," who compete in solving diverse intellectual challenges, including quizzes, brain teasers, and problem-solving games, often with humorous commentary and improvisational elements.[1][2] It returned briefly for Season 3 titled Problematic Men: Brain Wanderer from November 21, 2019, to February 13, 2020, before entering hiatus. In 2025, the program was rebooted as Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition, a mathematics-focused quiz show that premiered on June 23, 2025, at 10:10 PM KST on tvN, emphasizing analytical storytelling through math problems and continuing to air weekly on Mondays as of November 2025.[3][4]
The format of Problematic Men revolves around weekly themed episodes where the cast tackles "impossible" or complex questions drawn from science, history, language, and logic, testing their knowledge and quick thinking in a lighthearted, competitive environment. Regular segments include panel discussions, skit improvisations based on solved problems, and guest appearances by experts or celebrities to deepen explorations. This structure highlights the participants' intellectual prowess while poking fun at their "problematic" personalities—charismatic yet flawed traits that add entertainment value. The reboot shifts the focus to mathematics, analyzing real-world phenomena through equations, geometry, and probability, with challenges designed to be both educational and engaging for viewers.[5][3]
The original cast included host and MC Jun Hyun-moo, alongside fixed panelists Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, and Lee Jang-woo, with rotating members such as singer Park Kyung and panelist Tyler Rasch in early seasons, bringing diverse expertise from acting, music, and variety entertainment. For the 2025 reboot, Jun Hyun-moo returns as the host, joined by math instructor Jeong Seung-jae, broadcasters Bae Sung-jae and Kim Kyu-min, singer John Park, and EXO member Suho. The show's enduring appeal lies in blending high-IQ challenges with relatable humor, earning it a dedicated following in Korean variety television.[6][7][3]
Program
Concept and format
Problematic Men is a South Korean television quiz show featuring six male celebrity panelists, dubbed "brainiacs," who compete by solving intellectually demanding questions across diverse topics including history, science, language, and logic to demonstrate their intelligence and wit.[2] The program emphasizes challenging, debate-provoking queries that align with its title, interpreting "problematic" as intellectually troublesome puzzles designed to push participants' limits.[4] The gameplay follows a round-based format where panelists engage with multiple-choice, open-ended, and visual puzzles, earning points for accurate responses while facing penalties for errors, all interspersed with lighthearted banter to enhance entertainment value.[8] Episodes typically run for approximately 75 minutes, structured to balance competitive quizzing with conversational segments.[2] In its 2025 reboot, titled Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition, the show evolves into a math-centric storytelling quiz, where participants analyze real-world phenomena through mathematical lenses, incorporating problems in probability, geometry, statistics, and advanced concepts like integrals, often from an "omniscient" analytical viewpoint.[3] Hosted by Jun Hyun-moo throughout both the original run and the reboot, this iteration maintains the core emphasis on rigorous intellectual challenges while narrowing the focus to mathematical narratives.[4]Seasons
Problematic Men premiered on February 26, 2015, on tvN, marking the start of Season 1, which ran for 156 episodes until its final broadcast on March 25, 2018, before entering a hiatus.[1][2] The show's initial run featured a core quiz format centered on brain teasers and problem-solving discussions among a fixed cast of male celebrities.[9] Following the hiatus, the program resumed in late May 2018 with Season 2, incorporating new problem-solving challenges while maintaining the intellectual gameplay.[10] Season 3, subtitled Brain Wanderer (or Brain Wanderers Squad), launched on November 21, 2019, introducing a thematic shift toward travel elements and outdoor adventures combined with quizzes, differentiating it from the studio-bound format of prior seasons.[11][12] This season concluded on February 13, 2020, bringing the total number of episodes across the original run to 224.[13][11] After a five-year gap, tvN announced the reboot in May 2025, positioning it as a revival rather than a new series, with no prior full cancellation.[4] Titled Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition, the season emphasizes math-focused quizzes to "restore national mathematics self-esteem," premiering on June 23, 2025.[14][15] This revival highlights a production milestone in adapting the show's legacy to specialized intellectual content.[16]Broadcast information
Airtime and network
"Problematic Men" premiered on the South Korean cable channel tvN on February 26, 2015 (Thursday), initially airing weekly on Thursdays at approximately 10:50 PM KST for 75 minutes per episode.[17] The program was exclusively broadcast on cable, with no terrestrial TV distribution, limiting initial accessibility to subscribers of tvN and affiliated services.[1] Over its run, the schedule underwent several adjustments due to hiatuses and resumptions; for instance, following a break after the July 16, 2015, episode, it resumed on Sundays at a similar time starting August 16, 2015, while later seasons shifted to Tuesdays and other days to accommodate production changes and prime-time slot competitions.[17] Special episodes, such as Christmas editions, featured extended runtimes to incorporate additional content and guest segments. The majority of episodes aired on Sundays until the end on March 25, 2018. The 2025 reboot, titled "Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition," premiered on Mondays at 10:10 PM KST starting June 23, 2025, later moving to 7:20 PM KST as of late June 2025, maintaining the cable-only format on tvN.[18][3] Produced under CJ ENM's tvN banner, the reboot streams on tvN's official online platforms for domestic and select international viewers, including Viki for some regions as of November 2025.[19] Original seasons have limited international availability, with episodes accessible via fan-subbed uploads on sites like YouTube and Bilibili, though official global distribution remains sparse compared to mainstream K-dramas.[20]Episode structure
Episodes of Problematic Men adhere to a consistent internal structure that balances intellectual challenges with conversational elements, typically spanning 75 minutes. The format opens with a banter segment lasting 5-10 minutes, during which the host, cast, and guests introduce the episode's theme, share light-hearted discussions, and preview upcoming problems through multilingual teasers.[8][2] The bulk of the episode features main quiz rounds occupying 40-50 minutes, structured around 3-5 distinct question types including logic puzzles, memorization exercises, spatial perception tasks, and creative challenges. These rounds incorporate production elements such as on-screen graphics to display questions, buzzer systems for rapid responses, and visual aids like "brain teaser" animations in the original run, with participants alternating between team-based and individual modes to solve an average of 5-7 main problems per episode.[8][21] Closing segments, running 10-15 minutes, involve discussions of solutions, additional challenges, and post-episode recaps highlighting key moments and performances. Each episode concludes with a "problem of the week" segment encouraging viewer participation and submissions. Special episodes, such as competitive formats like "VS Problematic Women," adapt the structure to prioritize head-to-head team competitions over standard rounds.[8] The 2025 reboot, Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition, retains this framework but integrates math-specific visualization tools, including animations for equations, to illustrate problems within the quiz rounds.[3][22]Cast and crew
Main cast
Jun Hyun-moo has served as the host and moderator for all seasons of Problematic Men from its debut in 2015 through the 2025 reboot, providing witty commentary that maintains the show's energetic pace and facilitates interactions among panelists.[2] His role involves overseeing quiz challenges and discussions, drawing on his background as a television personality to balance humor and intellectual rigor.[1] The original run (Seasons 1–3, 2015–2020) featured a core group of panelists dubbed the "brainiacs," including Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, and Lee Jang-won, who formed the primary lineup and contributed diverse perspectives to the problem-solving format.[6] Kim Ji-seok brought quick-witted responses and acting insights to debates, while Ha Seok-jin offered logical analysis rooted in his professional experience as an actor.[13] Lee Jang-won added youthful energy and comedic timing, enhancing the group's dynamic during quiz segments.[7] Cast rotations occurred due to military enlistments and scheduling conflicts, such as those affecting younger members, but the core trio remained central to the show's identity.[23] The 2025 reboot, titled Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition, retains Jun Hyun-moo as host while introducing a refreshed lineup of math-specialized panelists: Jeong Seung-jae, John Park, Suho (of EXO), Bae Sung-jae, and Kim Gyu-min.[16] Jeong Seung-jae, a prominent math instructor, provides expert guidance on complex calculations, serving as the group's academic anchor.[4] John Park contributes a musical angle, applying rhythmic patterns and analytical skills from his singer-songwriter background to math puzzles.[4] Suho offers an idol perspective, blending entertainment savvy with problem-solving under pressure, informed by his family's educational heritage.[24] Bae Sung-jae acts as the "brain caster," delivering insightful commentary and humor to narrate the challenges.[4] Kim Gyu-min, a survival program champion and math prodigy, excels in high-stakes scenarios with his exceptional cognitive abilities.[16] This ensemble shifts the focus to mathematics-themed content, emphasizing collaborative expertise while preserving the original's intellectual banter.[25]Recurring guests
The recurring guests on Problematic Men contributed significantly to the show's dynamic by introducing diverse expertise and entertainment value, often challenging the main cast in quizzes and discussions. Notable among them were idols and actors who appeared multiple times, such as EXO's Suho, who featured in episodes 10 and 11 of the original run, showcasing sharp problem-solving skills that impressed the panel and highlighted his "brainy" side as selected by his group members.[26] Other idols like BTS member RM participated in the original seasons, bringing musical perspectives to logic-based challenges, with RM's involvement extending to regular appearances early on before transitioning out. Guests such as Joo Woo-jae appeared 5-10 times across seasons to maintain fresh interactions.[7] These guests enhanced episode variety by offering unique viewpoints; for instance, musicians like Suho and BTS member RM tackled rhythm-infused logic puzzles, blending their performance backgrounds with intellectual tasks to create engaging content that appealed to broader audiences. Their presence often led to memorable moments, such as competitive banter with the main cast, fostering a sense of camaraderie and surprise in problem resolutions. In the original run, over 100 unique guests appeared, including recurring figures like comedian Shin Jae-pyeong (14 appearances) and SF9's Inseong (6 appearances as an intern), who filled cast gaps and boosted viewer interest through repeated chemistry.[8] In the 2025 reboot, Problematic Men: Math Edition, EXO's Suho was promoted from guest to main cast, while early episodes featured mathematicians and celebrities to emphasize quantitative challenges. As of November 2025, no fixed recurring guests have been established, allowing flexibility in guest selection to align with the math-focused format. Special episodes in the original series included crossovers with "Problematic Women" guests, such as Go So-hyun, Hyelim, Shin Bong-sun, Park Shin-young, Park Ji-sun, and Lee Si-won in the Chuseok and Christmas specials, where female comedians and entertainers competed against the men, adding a playful gender-dynamic twist to the quizzes.[27][28]Episodes
2015–2018 (Season 1)
The inaugural season of Problematic Men aired from February 26, 2015, to March 25, 2018, comprising 156 episodes broadcast weekly on Sundays by tvN.[1] This period marked the establishment of the show's core format as a variety talk program centered on brain teasers, puzzle-solving, and interactive challenges that tested the panelists' intellect and wit.[2] Key themes revolved around broad knowledge quizzes spanning global history, science, and general trivia, often framed as guessing games for guest identities or thematic problem sets to promote critical thinking and quick reasoning.[1] Episodes typically featured the fixed cast of "Brainiacs"—high-IQ celebrities like host Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, and others—tackling diverse questions in a lighthearted, competitive atmosphere, with segments blending education and entertainment without a specialized focus on mathematics.[2] The premiere episode introduced this format, showcasing the panel's initial attempts at collaborative problem-solving and setting the tone for the season's blend of intellectual rigor and comedic mishaps.[29] A standout was the 2019 Christmas Special, which expanded the concept by matching the male Brainiacs against a team of female counterparts in themed quizzes, amplifying the show's humorous dynamics through cross-gender rivalries. The season wrapped with the hiatus episode on March 25, 2018, where the cast reflected on milestones, shared anecdotes from the run, and bid temporary farewell to viewers.[1] Throughout the season, Problematic Men built steady popularity via viral clips of intricate puzzles circulating on platforms like YouTube, drawing attention to the cast's clever solutions and entertaining blunders.[4] This organic spread highlighted the evolving cast chemistry, as humorous failures—such as overconfident wrong answers or chaotic debates—became integral to the appeal, fostering viewer investment in the panel's camaraderie.[30] Unique elements included the debut of the "Brainiac vs. Audience" segment, pitting the expert panel against live studio participants for added unpredictability and audience engagement.2019–2020 (Seasons 2–3)
After a short hiatus following the conclusion of Season 1, Problematic Men resumed for Season 2 on May 29, 2018, marking a continuation of the show's quiz-based format with evolving elements that incorporated more dynamic challenges.[10] Season 2 consisted of 55 episodes aired from May 29, 2018, to June 10, 2019, primarily studio-based with collaborative quizzes that blended entertainment with intellectual tests, often highlighting guests' problem-solving skills in themed episodes like crime and punishment specials using locked-room formats.[10] Across Seasons 2 and 3, the program produced a total of 68 episodes, with Season 3—titled Problematic Men: Brain Wanderer—launching after a five-month break to recap the hiatus and reintroduce the format with fresh innovations.[10] [11] Season 3, airing 13 episodes from November 21, 2019, to February 13, 2020, fully embraced on-location filming across various sites in South Korea, evolving the experiential learning theme by having the cast travel as the "Brain Wanderers Squad" to explore the lives of local intellectuals and solve problems at historical and cultural landmarks, such as temples and rural villages, to foster deeper conceptual understanding over rote quizzing.[11] [12] This nomadic structure replaced much of the studio setup, with the team venturing outdoors daily to investigate "global geniuses" through real-world challenges, promoting synergy among returning members like Jun Hyun-moo, Ha Seok-jin, and Kim Ji-seok, alongside newcomers Joo Woo-jae and YouTuber Ddotty.[12] [31] The season's resumption episodes in late 2019 included recaps of the prior hiatus, reflecting on cast dynamics and past highlights to bridge the gap for viewers.[9] As the series concluded with its final episode on February 13, 2020—a retrospective special reviewing key moments and unresolved puzzles—the production ended primarily due to the main cast's increasing commitments to other projects, amid the emerging challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, though no major virtual adaptations were implemented during airing.[32] This closure maintained the show's emphasis on intellectual adventure while setting the stage for its later reboot.2025 (Reboot: Math Edition)
The Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition premiered on June 23, 2025, at 10:10 PM KST on tvN, marking the show's return after a five-year hiatus with a focus on mathematical challenges presented through storytelling.[4][33] The season airs weekly on Mondays, and as of November 19, 2025, over 20 episodes have been broadcast, continuing to explore advanced math concepts in an engaging variety format.[34] Unlike the original seasons' emphasis on exploratory quests, this reboot centers on studio-based "omniscient math" quizzes that analyze real-world scenarios through mathematical lenses, without incorporating travel elements.[3] Episode 1, aired on June 23, introduced the core format of math storytelling, where cast members tackled problems like factorization and basic derivations in a narrative-driven brain battle, setting the tone for intellectual humor and competition.[3][35] Episode 2, broadcast on June 30, delved into probability challenges, with participants struggling over complex scenarios such as differentiation and probabilistic modeling, highlighting the cast's varied math aptitudes amid comedic reactions.[36] Ongoing episodes maintain themes like geometric real-world applications, using concepts such as spatial reasoning to dissect everyday phenomena, fostering deeper viewer appreciation for mathematics. The reboot features refreshed cast dynamics, blending idols like EXO's Suho with hosts and performers including Jun Hyun-moo, Jeong Seung-je, John Park, Bae Sung-jae, and Kim Gyu-min, creating interplay between entertainment flair and analytical expertise that energizes problem-solving segments.[37] Viewer engagement is boosted through international streaming availability, with the premiere episode accessible on platforms like hypera.live and tvniu.com, allowing global audiences to follow the math-focused revival.[38] This iteration builds briefly on the original seasons' legacy of intellectual variety shows by adapting the problem-solving ethos to pure mathematics, aiming to restore national interest in the subject.[4]Reception
Viewership ratings
The original series of Problematic Men (2015–2018) maintained solid performance on tvN, a cable network, with viewership around 2% nationwide, ranking highly among cable entertainment programs.[8] Peak viewership reached 2.221% for the 2017 Christmas special episode featuring a matchup against Problematic Women. Specific episodes occasionally exceeded this, such as the January 8, 2017 installment averaging 4.01% with a peak of 4.71%, driven by guest appearances that boosted audience engagement.[39] Seasons 2 and 3 (2019–2020) experienced a slight decline in linear TV ratings amid increased competition from other variety programs.[8] However, the show sustained steady performance on video-on-demand (VOD) platforms, with episodes like a November 2019 return broadcast hitting a high of 2.9%.[40] A February 25, 2019 episode also climbed to 3.4%, reflecting resilience in core viewership despite the dip.[41] The 2025 reboot, Problematic Men Reboot: Math Edition, premiered on June 23 with a nationwide rating of 1.331% for its first episode.[42] As of June 2025, at least one episode reached 3.2%.[43]| Season | Average Nationwide Rating (Cable) | Peak Episode Rating | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2015–2018) | ~2% | 4.71% (Jan 2017) | Strong initial buzz; holiday specials boosted peaks.[39] |
| 2–3 (2019–2020) | N/A | 3.4% (Feb 2019) | Dip due to competition; VOD sustained interest.[41] |
| Reboot (2025) | Premiere: 1.331% | 3.2% (April 2025) | Early engagement noted; further data as of November 2025 unavailable.[42][43] |