JTBC's 'Knowing Bros' Celebrates 500 Episodes with PD Hwang Je-min and Writer Hwang Sun-young, "We Have No Right to Get Tired! Big Brother Hodong's Words Were the Driving Force Behind 500 Episodes"

The main director of 〈Knowing Bros〉, PD Hwang Je-min, and writer Hwang Sun-young shared their thoughts and future direction as they celebrated the 500th episode.

JTBC's 〈Knowing Bros〉 reached its 500th episode on September 20 (Saturday). First aired in December 2015, 〈Knowing Bros〉 has maintained its position as JTBC's longest-running and flagship program through various formats, featuring the interactions between eight brothers and transfer students.

On the occasion of the symbolic 500th episode, the main director PD Hwang Je-min and writer Hwang Sun-young revealed their feelings about the live recording with viewers and their future plans through a written interview.

Below is a Q&A with PD Hwang Je-min and writer Hwang Sun-young.

Q. JTBC's longest-running variety show 〈Knowing Bros〉 has reached 500 episodes. What are your thoughts on reaching this milestone?

PD Hwang Je-min: Since I joined the program from episode 419, I felt the weight of the time that CP Choi Chang-soo, who led the program from the first episode, and writer Hwang Sun-young, along with the production team and the brothers, have built over the years. However, with that weight comes a sense of responsibility, and I prepared with my best effort. Fortunately, I believe we have created a 500th episode special that viewers can look forward to. You can really look forward to the 500th episode special.

Writer Hwang Sun-young: It feels like just yesterday when I worried, 'Can we make it to 50 episodes?' but now, ten years have passed, and we have reached 500 episodes. My feeling is simply one of gratitude. While the efforts of the production team and cast were certainly there, the biggest reason we could reach 500 episodes is because of the viewers who have consistently watched us. That fact is truly amazing, and I am grateful.

Q. What do you think is the secret to becoming JTBC's longest-running variety show?

PD Hwang Je-min: I believe it is undoubtedly the 'power of the brothers.' No matter what guest comes, the ability to create unpredictable laughter and the unique chemistry of the brothers is the heart of 〈Knowing Bros〉.

Writer Hwang Sun-young: Although we did not aim to create a show for 500 episodes, we have never stopped thinking about how to make many broadcasts week by week. Sometimes it was tiring, but perhaps the words of big brother Hodong, 'We have no right to get tired,' have continued to spur us on.

Q. What are the brothers' thoughts on reaching 500 episodes?

PD Hwang Je-min: The moment I first faced the audience, I saw expressions from the brothers that I had never seen before. Since it was their first time reaching 500 episodes, they accepted it as a very meaningful and touching moment, and that sincerity was conveyed to everyone on set.

Writer Hwang Sun-young: While preparing for the 500th episode, I suddenly looked back on the past ten years, and I realized that all the cast members of 〈Knowing Bros〉 have changed their age digits. This experience of continuing a program for ten years is new for both our brothers and the production team, and some were a bit emotional. There have been many events like marriages and remarriages within ten years, so it feels particularly special.

Q. This time, you invited viewers for the 500th episode. What was the reason and how did you feel after the recording?

PD Hwang Je-min: The 500th episode of 〈Knowing Bros〉 is entirely thanks to the viewers, so I wanted to express my gratitude by directly inviting them to 'Brother School.' We prepared a diverse and rich experience so that they could feel the essence of the 〈Knowing Bros〉 content accumulated until episode 499, so please pay a lot of attention to the 500th episode special broadcast.

Writer Hwang Sun-young: When I heard that the audience application forms were nearly full, I was both thrilled and very grateful. I felt sorry that we couldn't accommodate everyone, but just as one week gathered to create 500 weeks (episodes), we wanted to gather 500 viewers to celebrate together. On the day of the recording, there were so many people who said they had been watching since episode 1, and I realized that 〈Knowing Bros〉 is being created and maturing together with the viewers, and I resolved to work even harder to not disappoint them in the future.

Q. Each episode garners attention with unique guest combinations. As the episodes accumulate, the casting concerns may deepen.

PD Hwang Je-min: Our casting criterion is simply 'newness.' We are fiercely contemplating every Monday meeting to create combinations that make viewers think, 'What is this combination?'

Q. Are there any changes you are trying to implement as you reach 500 episodes?

Writer Hwang Sun-young: While satisfying the hearts of those who have supported us for 500 episodes, we want to provide more new fun, so we are gradually trying to implement changes, such as developing talk segments. There may be some trial and error in that process, but the key to change is singular: 'To present greater laughter to viewers in a format where the brothers can play even better.'

Q. What kind of program do you hope 〈Knowing Bros〉 will become in the future?

PD Hwang Je-min: After the recording of the 500th episode, an audience member said, "I have been watching since episode 1, and I feel like I have grown up with Knowing Bros for ten years." Just like that statement, I want it to remain a long-time friend-like program that is always by the viewers' side.

Writer Hwang Sun-young: I hope 〈Knowing Bros〉 becomes a friend on Saturday nights that can comfort the tiring week with laughter, a friend that is always welcome to see.