tvN's 'I AM BOXER', which first aired on the 21st, announced the birth of a new extreme survival show, showcasing the brutal matchups between top-tier fighters and delivering overwhelming scale and intensity. The broadcast recorded an average nationwide household rating of 2.0% and a peak of 2.2%, while the capital area achieved 2.7% on average and 3.1% at its peak, securing the top spot in its time slot among cable and general programming channels.
A total of 90 fighters, gathered to determine the strongest fist in South Korea, immediately captivated viewers' attention. The lineup featured elite competitors such as National Sports Festival gold medalist Kook Seung-jun, entertainment industry’s ‘One Punch Man’ Yoon Hyung-bin, former kickboxing heavyweight champion Myung Hyun-man, UDT veteran and 'Steel Troops' winner Yook Jun-seo, celebrity fight ranking #1 Julien Kang, former UFC light heavyweight fighter Jung Da-woon, former world-ranked #5 Kim Min-wook, 14-time consecutive National Sports Festival winner Kim Dong-hoe, and actor Jang Hyuk, intensifying the excitement.
'I AM BOXER' distinguishes itself with an unconventional survival format that transcends divisions such as professional versus amateur status, weight class, and age. Instead, it focuses solely on pure survival and competitive instinct. The final winner will be awarded a champion belt, a luxury SUV, and a cash prize of 300 million Korean Won, signaling a no-holds-barred battle for ultimate dominance.
From the very first fight, the highlight 1v1 Decisive Match surged with tension. Matches took place simultaneously in nine rings with no time limit, and only those chosen by Ma Dong-seok survived, while the unselected were immediately eliminated—adding to the thrill and unpredictability.
One of the standout early matchups featured Vietnamese professional boxer Lee Ju-young versus professional MMA fighter Kim Min-woo. Both fighters showcased strong technique and resilience, ultimately earning survival based on expert evaluations. Ma Dong-seok remarked, “I picked both of them because I wanted to see them again,” while Dex emphasized that the decision reflected comprehensive expert opinions.
In the intense clash between UDT veteran Yook Jun-seo and rapper YunB, Yook Jun-seo delivered a decisive TKO victory with a powerful punch that knocked down his opponent, demonstrating clear dominance.
The highly anticipated matchup between former and current champions, Kim Min-wook and Kim Tae-sun, captured the essence of elite-level boxing. Dex exclaimed, “It was the best boxing match I’ve ever seen in my life,” while Ma Dong-seok declared Kim Min-wook’s survival, acknowledging his composed and charismatic performance.
The episode concluded with a preview of a blockbuster showdown between Myung Hyun-man and Jung Da-woon. As the sound of cannon-like punches echoed, the scene of Jung Da-woon collapsing after taking a direct blow to the temporal area from Myung Hyun-man was revealed, maximizing anticipation for next week’s broadcast.
tvN’s ‘I AM BOXER’, where boxers extend their fists toward survival in intense and unpredictable battles, airs every Friday at 11 PM KST on tvN.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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