‘The Traitors’ heads to Korea with actor Cha Seung-won as host

All3Media International has teamed up with Korean production companies Luyworks Media and Something Special to bring a local adaptation of the reality competition format phenomenon “The Traitors” to South Korea, with actor Cha Seung-won as host.

The Korean version marks another important expansion for the originally Dutch format, which has become a global juggernaut since its debut in 2021 on RTL 4 in the Netherlands. More than 30 territories on six continents have commissioned local versions, while more than 50 territories have broadcast episodes through tape sales.

Cha Seung-won brings significant star power to the project and has built a career that spans dramas, films and variety shows. His credits include dramas “The Greatest Love,” “Our Blues” and “The Tyrant,” films “Believer,” “Night in Paradise” and “Uprising,” and variety series “Infinite Challenge,” “Three Meals a Day” and “Korean Hostel in Spain.”

“We are very happy to announce the green light for the production of ‘The Traitors’ Korea and to collaborate with the country’s 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 adaptation. “It is a tremendous honor to work with actor Cha Seung-won, who we have long considered the most suitable host for ‘The Traitors’ while producing the Korean version. Despite his busy schedule, he has shown such affection for the program that he has even proposed ideas unique to the Korean version.”

Jin Woo Hwang, president of Something Special, added that the collaboration provides an opportunity to showcase K-entertainment’s production values. “Working on a project with top production house Luyworks Media and actor Cha Seung-won is an opportunity not to be missed,” said Hwang.

The format’s appeal has proven remarkably durable across markets. Created and developed by IDTV and POSVIDEO in collaboration with RTL Creative Unit, “The Traitors” was named K7’s Format of the Year 2024 and has won multiple Emmy, BAFTA and RTS awards, along with a Rose d’Or, Asian Academy Creative Award and Producers Guild Award.

In Britain, the celebrity edition finale attracted 15 million viewers to the BBC and has been renewed for a second season. The American version, hosted by Alan Cumming, has won five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host. Both the British and American versions are produced by Studio Lambert, part of All3Media.

Tony Ziran Tang, VP Sales Asia for completed programs and formats at All3Media International, said: “His stardom now ranks alongside Claudia Winkleman (UK), Alan Cumming (US) and Karan Johar (India). We are confident Luyworks will deliver an excellent release that resonates with Korean audiences and fans across the region.”

Luyworks Media has established itself as a force in the reality competition genre with productions such as ‘Physical 100’ for Netflix and ‘Street Woman Fighter’ and ‘Show me the Money’ for CJ ENM. Something Special operates as Korea’s first TV format agency focused on creative talent, with a track record of developing more than 150 format titles in 26 territories.

All3Media International serves as a global partner for “The Traitors,” handling format, tape sales and licensing worldwide.