Rumi

I’m not a variety show person and my only exposure to Korean variety is Super Junior shows (as a long-time ELF) and The Return of Superman (first batch only).

I do not have interests in variety shows, let alone mind games, and I prefer a work of fiction (dramas). I only picked this show up because of the massive backlash some of the players have been receiving.

Of course, as an ELF and a Kyupiter, I felt the obligation to figure out why, most especially since Kyuhyun was worried about how fans would perceive him after the show concludes.

And I honestly don’t know what he was worried about.

The Devil’s Plan Death Room is a survival show that encouraged betrayals and forming alliances against each other. It was not categorically stated, but it was clear that the show wanted to stir up something among the players, so that their primal instincts were to secure their survival per game and that’s what happened.

I tried watching without bias, and after a few games, I figured how Kyuhyun was clearly not the best and top player from this batch. In the games, he did not come out on top, nor did he shine among the other players. And I say this in a good way.

Kyuhyun, while not entirely irreproachable, said that the reason why he lost was because he was too self-righteous. And he is correct. While his wit couldn’t surpass other player’s schemes, his (true) character shone. He was loyal to his alliances, but he sincerely looked after everyone, including those who belonged to the other team(s), groups, and cliques.

Every morning, without fail, he would prepare protein shakes for the prison team. He would apologize to other players after a game, and he adapted two ducklings (that’s what I like to call them, as Sohee and Hyungyu would follow him around) and found a solid alliance with them, including Tinno—I can confidently say that this friendship would extend outside the show.

I breathed a sigh of relief, as Kyuhyun’s worry was completely unnecessary because watching the show actually made me love him more. As a fan, it made my chest swell with pride because I know I’m stanning the right person.

Kyuhyun aside, I was surprised how I have absolutely enjoyed the show.

I cannot be way too rational about the games, as I am a right-brain dominant (haha). I could only focus on the writing and sound design, and they were excellent.

The storytelling is not linear, which was a surprise for me as this is a reality show, and the critical details would be revealed at the most perfect time. This is a good technique to build tension and excitement.

There is definitely nothing new to the concept, but all players were determined to win, and the show was so good in increasing tension and conflict that it will get you too emotionally involved. This would make a really good binge, and it will leave you absolutely satisfied with how things ended.

With that, the thing that makes me feel like a fish out of the water is the number of criticism and hate, especially towards Hyungyu (the winner), Sohee, and Kyuhyun—they are all unwarranted and misguided, as if the haters watched a completely different show.

Nonetheless, this show has also opened up a new interest for me to explore—variety shows.