Hit escape room variety show 'The Great Escape' is returning with a brand-new season—and a refreshed cast.
On August 5, CJ ENM announced, "The new season of 'The Great Escape,' scheduled to premiere on TVING in the second half of this year, will feature Kim Jong Min, Kim Dong Hyun, Shindong, Yoo Byung Jae, Go Kyung Pyo, and Seungkwan as the new team of escape artists embarking on a thrilling adventure."
The company added, "Original cast members Kim Jong Min and Shindong are returning, while Kim Dong Hyun, Yoo Byung Jae, and Go Kyung Pyo—who have carried on the legacy of 'The Great Escape'—will be joined by new member Seungkwan. Together, they are expected to showcase fresh chemistry and dynamic relationships."
Kim Jong Min is set to return as the sharp-eyed clue finder known for his "occasional genius" moments. Shindong, affectionately nicknamed "Commander Shin" and "Shin Zhuge Liang" for his strategic thinking, is once again expected to lead the team in solving complex puzzles.
Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan joins the cast as the youngest member and newest face of the series. Known for his empathy and outgoing personality, he is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to the show.
The biggest surprise, however, is the departure of original cast member Kang Ho Dong, who had long been considered the heart of 'The Great Escape.'
According to CJ ENM, Kang Ho Dong chose to pass the baton to the younger cast members so the franchise could move in a new direction.
"'The Great Escape' has brought me immense joy and happiness every step of the way," Kang Ho Dong shared. "I believe my fellow cast members and juniors, who have even greater imagination and wisdom than I do, will give their all to make this season a success."
He also left one final piece of advice for the new team: "No matter where you are, there's always a clue."
The new season of 'The Great Escape' is scheduled to premiere on TVING in the second half of 2026.
Produced by CJ ENM, 'The Great Escape' first premiered on tvN in 2018 and aired four seasons through 2021, establishing itself as one of Korea's signature adventure variety programs. The franchise later returned in 2025 with the TVING original spin-off 'The Great Escape: The Story.'
The series earned widespread praise for redefining the escape room variety genre through its combination of massive custom-built sets, intricate storytelling, and an expansive fictional universe, cultivating a devoted fanbase.
Rather than relying on simple quizzes or mission-based games, 'The Great Escape' broke new ground by transforming entire abandoned buildings and large unused spaces into elaborate escape room sets. Intricately designed mechanisms, immersive production design, and detailed props created a cinematic experience that captivated both the cast and viewers.
One of the show's greatest strengths has been its interconnected storylines and unique world-building. Episodes spanning genres—from the zombie outbreak storyline 'Apocalypse' to supernatural exorcism-themed adventures, the time-travel arc 'Time Mix,' the mysterious 'Evil Spirit Prison,' and the larger DTCU ('The Great Escape Universe')—have all been woven together across multiple seasons. This serialized approach has made the program feel more like a high-quality genre film or an immersive video game than a traditional variety show.
Combined with the cast's genuine reactions to unpredictable situations, moments of panic, and relatable comedic mishaps, the series has developed its own distinctive charm. With a newly assembled cast and an even larger scale, 'The Great Escape' now aims to build on that legacy in its latest season.
