For people who do not know about The Genius, it is a "smart" type variety show which pits various characters from very different backgrounds together through a series of games, or "rounds", to win a large final cash prize. With a standard format of "Main Match" followed by a "Death Match", the various games requires the use of wits, logic and creativity midst other forms of intelligence (including social). The format of the show draws a lot of parallels with psychological dramas like The Liar Game (which I loved) and Kaiji, so if you're into that you might love The Genius as much as I did.
The games are all unique and rather unprecedented in Korean TV (that I know of), and the sheer unpredictability of the final outcome truly keeps me at the edge of my seat. But I have to say, the show is made by the people: the mild but very cute love line between Choi Changyeob and Choi Jungmoon, the sheer intelligence and quirky moments of Hong Jinho, the competitiveness of all the members and seeing them overcome each tough challenge with wits.
The good mix of cast of celebrities (actors, idols, sharp-mouthed gagmen), normal intelligent individuals (Mensa members, Harvard graduates) and individuals who excel at their respective fields (pro-gamers, pro-pool players) created much interest and positive tension as you see how they use their respective abilities to their advantage. Most managed to create lasting impressions.You can get really invested with the various players and their individual characters, as I did, and clearly see how that resonates with both the game and each other. You might also, find yourself rooting for one individual or another; creating a connection between you as the viewer and the characters on TV.
I do have to say though, as a caution and a plea to pull through, episode 1 and 2 can get a little shifty with all the editing, complexity of the large cast and the many interactions ongoing simultaneously. Though it is to be expected and can be understood considering it being the first of firsts. It gets a lot better with time, I have to say.
More than the format of the show and the amazing writing of the games, I have to give severe props to the background staff. Each episode is exceptionally well edited to provide suspense without giving it all away, and the editing also paced the games and the members' interactions well despite them both being rather complex. The set is also very well designed, with each individual rooms having varying characteristics and the hall giving a grandiose illusion despite the apparent lack of space. The beauty of the set truly created strong visual interest while setting both the mood and the look of the show.
The show is definitely also a feast for the eyes for someone like me who's vastly interested (yet rather inadequate) in design and animation, because each complex game is simplified into graphics that are both easy to understand and aesthetically pleasing. There is also strong visual unity throughout with the hexagonal garnet stylised into a G (for Genius) appearing throughout all design elements. I remember being in awe at the intro scene when I first watched episode 1 and thinking if it's really a variety show as the quality of the animations are just off the roof! The effort put in to creating the visuals of the show is something very rarely seen in reality/variety shows.
I highly recommend you to check this show out. It has a very different kind of entertainment value that the more popular and light-hearted Korean variety shows have, while still effectively glueing your eyes on the screen and creating high interest. I definitely can't wait for the whole of season 2 (The Genius: Rule Breaker) to air and also hope for more of such genre of variety.
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