All3Media International has teamed up with South Korean production companies Luyworks Media and Something Special to bring the local version of the reality competition-style phenomenon “The Traitors” to South Korea, with actor Cha Seung-won named host.
The Korean version marks another significant expansion for the Dutch-originated format, which has become a global juggernaut since its debut on RTL 4 in the Netherlands in 2021. More than 30 territories on six continents have commissioned local versions, and more than 50 territories broadcast episodes through tape sales.
Cha Seung Won has built up a career in dramas, movies, and variety shows, and brings great star power to this project. His credits include the dramas “The Greatest Love,” “Our Blues,” and “The Tyrant,” the films “Believer,” “Night in Paradise,” and “Uprising,” and the variety series “Infinite Challenge,” “Three Meals a Day,” and “Korean Hostel in Spain.”
“We are very excited to announce the production approval of ‘Traitor’ in Korea and to work with beloved actor Cha Seung-won as the host of the Korean version,” said Yul Han, CEO of Luyworks Media and executive producer of the Korean version. “It is a great honor to be able to work with actor Cha Seung-won, who I have long considered to be the most suitable host for ‘Traitors,’ in producing the Korean version. Despite his busy schedule, he showed so much love for the program that he even suggested ideas that could be unique to the Korean version.”
Jin Woo Hwang, president of Something Special, added that this collaboration is an opportunity to showcase K Entertainment’s production values. “Working on a project with top production company Luyworks Media and actor Cha Seung-won is an opportunity I can’t miss,” Hwang said.
The appeal of this format has proven to be surprisingly persistent across markets. Produced and developed by IDTV and POSVIDEO in collaboration with RTL Creative Unit, “The Traitors” was named K7’s 2024 Format of the Year and won multiple Emmy, BAFTA and RTS Awards, as well as the Rose d’Or, Asian Academy Creative Award and Producers Guild Award.
In the UK, the celebrity edition finale drew 15 million viewers to the BBC and was renewed for a second season. The US version, hosted by Alan Cumming, won five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host. Both the UK and US versions are produced by Studio Lambert, part of All3Media.
Tony Ziran Tang, Vice President of Asia Sales for Completed Programs and Formats at All3Media International, said, “His stardom now rivals that of Claudia Winkleman (UK), Alan Cumming (US) and Karan Johar (India). We are confident that Luyworks will deliver an outstanding version that will resonate with Korean viewers and fans across the region.”
Luyworks Media has established itself as a powerhouse in the competitive reality genre with works such as Netflix’s “Physical 100” and CJ ENM’s “Street Woman Fighter” and “Show me the Money.” Something Special operates as Korea’s first TV format agency focused on creative talent, with a track record of developing over 150 format titles in 26 regions.
All3Media International is the global partner for ‘The Traitors’, handling formats, tape sales and licensing worldwide.
