Things You Need to Know about Netflix’s “The 8 Show”

Netflix’s latest K-drama, The 8 Show, promises a gripping and thought-provoking experience that pushes the boundaries of reality television and societal critique. Based on Bae Jin-soo’s popular webtoons Money Game and its sequel Pie Game, this scripted drama offers a slow-burn exploration of human vulnerability in a hyper-capitalist society. Directed and written by Han Jae-rim, renowned for his works like The Face Reader and The King, The 8 Show stands out as a compelling narrative about survival, greed, and morality.

The 8 Show: Star-Studded Cast

The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring several Baeksang Arts Awards winners:

• Ryu Jun-yeol as Bae Jin-su/Third Floor, a former convenience store worker known for his roles in The Night Owl and The King.
• Park Jeong-min as Seventh Floor, noted for his performances in Time to Hunt and Deliver Us From Evil.
• Lee Zoo-young as Second Floor, from Believer 2.
• Chun Woo-hee as Eighth Floor, acclaimed for her roles in Unlocked and The Wailing.
• Park Hae-joon as Sixth Floor, from 12.12: The Day.
• Bae Seong-woo as First Floor, known for The Swindlers and The King.
• Lee Yul-eum as Fourth Floor, from Nevertheless.
• Moon Jeong-hee as Fifth Floor, noted for The Limit.

The 8 Show centers around eight strangers who find themselves locked in a mysterious building with a single goal: to make as much money as possible by staying in the game. The twist? Time equals money, and the longer they stay, the more they earn. However, to extend their time, they must uncover and navigate the hidden rules of the game.

This setup is far from fair. The game is designed to highlight social disparities and exacerbate tensions among the contestants. As they struggle to balance cooperation with their own self-interests, the pressure mounts, leading to inevitable conflicts and power struggles. The show’s cruelest rule? If any contestant dies or is murdered, everyone loses the potential winnings.

Setting and Atmosphere

The show’s setting — an undisclosed building in Seoul — adds to its eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere. The location serves as both a physical and psychological trap, reinforcing the sense of entrapment and urgency. The building becomes a character in its own right, with its hidden secrets and oppressive environment shaping the contestants’ actions and mindsets.

Adaptation from Webtoons

The 8 Show is directly adapted from Bae Jin-soo’s webtoons Money Game and Pie Game. These webtoons have garnered a substantial following for their intense narratives and social critique, making them ripe for a television adaptation. The transition from webtoon to screen allows for a more dynamic exploration of the characters’ psyches and the game’s intricate rules.

The8Show is now available, only on #Netflix