TAIPEI (TVBS News) — South Korean reality show "King of Survival 2" (生存王2) will film across Taiwan, star Kim Jong-kook (金鐘國) announced Wednesday (Jan. 14) at a Hualien press conference. Producers selected Taiwan due to the newly established direct flight route from Incheon, South Korea, to Hualien, enhancing production logistics. The announcement marks a major boost for Taiwan's entertainment tourism industry.
The production assembled an all-star cast including Kim Byung-man (金炳萬), THE BOYZ member Kim Young-hoon (金泳勳), and "Single's Inferno 4" (單身即地獄4) star Yuk Jun-seo (陸俊書). Filming will take place across Hualien, Pingtung, and Chiayi counties in Taiwan's eastern and southern regions. The first season, filmed in Malaysia's jungles, achieved a 3.9% viewership rating with its 10-day survival challenge format that captivated South Korean audiences.
Kim Jong-kook expressed gratitude to supporters and noted this marks his first public appearance in Taiwan since his marriage. Kim Byung-man described the show as a "war of hunger" and highlighted his food-finding skills for the survival challenge. Yuk Jun-seo, a former South Korean UDT Navy Special Warfare Team member, looks forward to showcasing his survival skills. Kim Young-hoon expressed excitement and nervousness about working with the experienced cast.
South Korean tourists to Taiwan reached 910,000 from January to November 2025, according to tourism statistics. The show aims to further boost tourism by featuring various Taiwanese locations across Hualien, Pingtung, and Chiayi counties. South Korean artist Rain previously filmed a reality show in Hualien in 2017, establishing the region's appeal for Korean productions. ◼
