Infinite Challenge

Infinite Challenge
Promotional logo
Also known asInfinity Challenge
Muhan Dojeon
Hangul
무한도전
Hanja
無限挑戰
GenreReality television
Created byKim Tae-ho[1] (de facto)
Directed byKim Tae-ho (Head dir.)[2]
Park Chang-hoon[2]
Cho Wook-hyung[2]
Kang Sung-ah[2]
Creative directorKim Gu-san
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes563 + 3 specials (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerKim Tae-ho
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time75-80 minutes
Production companyMBC Entertainment Production Division
Original release
NetworkMBC TV, MBC+ Drama, MBC every1
ReleaseApril 23, 2005 (2005-04-23) –
March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
Related
Infinite Girls (spin-off), The Great Challenge
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Infinite Challenge (Korean무한도전; Hanja無限挑戰; RRMuhan Dojeon; abbreviated as Korean무도; Hanja無挑; RRMudo) is a South Korean television entertainment program, distributed and syndicated by MBC, that ran from 2005 to 2018.

As of January 2013, it had the largest market share for its timeslot; with between 13 and 17 percent of Korean television viewers watching Infinite Challenge every Saturday night.[3] making it the most-watched free-to-air television program on Saturday evenings, and the most viewed non-drama program in South Korea every week (excluding special sporting events, since November 2006, with the exception of January 2009,[4] April and May 2010[5]).[6]

"Infinite Challenge" began airing in 2005 and ended with 563 episodes on March 31, 2018. Infinite Challenge was also listed on the longest variety show. Since 2009, it lasts for roughly 75 minutes, excluding ten minutes of advertising. Episodes are also frequently rerun on several Korean cable broadcasting channels.[7] Since February 19, 2011 (episode 237), the program has been aired in high-definition.[8] Infinite Challenge has been called "the nation's variety show" and "Korea's real first variety" for having been successful for over ten years.[9]

In March 2018, it was announced that, following the departure of lead producer Kim Tae-ho,[10] all current members have stepped down from the show,[11] bringing the program to an end. The last episode was aired on March 31, 2018, but the program continued for 3 more weeks with a recap special looking back at the program over the years.[12][13]

  1. ^ Infinite Challenge to His Life Archived August 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, article from The Granite Tower, June 5, 2007
  2. ^ a b c d "Infinite Challenge > Introducing the Production Team". MBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  3. ^ Infinite Challenge's Rating is still No.1 slot - 9 week in a row Archived December 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine(Korean), Xportsnews, January 13, 2013, Retrieved on January 14, 2013
  4. ^ Demonstration against controversial media-related bills draws 4,000 Archived September 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The Hankyoreh, Retrieved on December 31, 2008.
  5. ^ MBC labor union suspends strike Archived May 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Allkpop, Retrieved on May 31, 2010
  6. ^ List of the Ratings of South Korean TV Programmes Archived July 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine(Korean), Conducted by TNS Media Korea corp.
  7. ^ The resource of the superb power of Infinite Challenge Archived November 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine(Korean), Joongang Ilbo, Retrieved on May 28, 2007.
  8. ^ MuDo has been laughed in High Definition Archived October 27, 2018, at the Wayback Machine(in Korean), Sports Hanguk, February 19, 2011, Retrieved on March 1, 2011
  9. ^ 한국방송대상 '무한도전', 어떻게 '국민예능'으로 우뚝 섰나 [Korea Broadcasting Awards' Grand Prize Winner "Infinite Challenge", How Did They Stand Tall as "The Nation's Variety"?]. Daum (in Korean). Sports Chosun. September 3, 2015. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ Woo Jae-yeon (February 27, 2018). "Producer Kim Tae-ho to leave popular variety show 'Infinite Challenge'". Yonhap. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  11. ^ Sung Ji-eun (March 14, 2018). "'Infinite Challenge' to go on indefinite hiatus". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  12. ^ Hong Dam-young (March 30, 2018). "'Infinite Challenge' producer explains why he had to end program". Kpop Herald. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  13. ^ "'Infinity Challenge' to air a legends special featuring the members' commentary". Allkpop. April 8, 2018. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.