Lee Sedol's KBS2 variety show 'Baeksu Lee Sedol' presented in Seoul, airs 23 October

KBS2 held a press conference on the morning of 22 October for its new variety show 'Baeksu Lee Sedol' (백수 이세돌), at the KBS annex in Yeouido, Seoul. The programme is described as a 'real analog survival story' in which Lee Sedol, who won one game against the AlphaGo AI in 2016 and left the baduk world, takes on workplaces that machines cannot replace. [ 1 , 7 , 16 ]

Lee Sedol, Jung Jae-hyung (정재형), Jang Do-yeon (장도연) and director Lee Myung-seop (이명섭) attended, according to Hankook Ilbo. Yonhap describes Jung and Jang as the MCs and observers. Hankook Ilbo said the director previously worked on 'Hong Kim Dongjeon' and 'Method Club' and that writer Yu Ji-hye (유지혜), of the 'Born to Travel the World' series, also worked on the show. Yonhap said the series has five episodes and premieres on 23 October at 8:30 pm. [ 7 , 16 ]

Lee Sedol said at the event that what he learned in the baduk world was to do his best until the end, in good or difficult situations. He said the programme's title carried a sense of responsibility in a good way. He also said he had not found a sure replacement for baduk and was still looking, and that the offer was welcome and could help him find one. He added that he hoped the broadcast, which will air as the weather gets colder, would let viewers feel human warmth. [ 16 ]

Director Lee Myung-seop said he was a big fan of Lee Sedol and wanted to make the programme for the 10th anniversary of the AlphaGo match. He told reporters he liked the baduk player's distinctive dignity and elaborate tactics and wanted to work with him after seeing his competitive nature in various media. According to Yonhap, the director said the show focuses on entering labour that AI cannot replace rather than on job experiences, and that Lee Sedol's unfamiliar view as a newcomer to working life, his competitive streak and his changes are the points to watch. [ 7 , 15 , 16 ]

Jang Do-yeon said she was curious how Lee Sedol would be in person given his strong image. She said he works passionately and without calculation and she thought he would have become number one in any field. Jung Jae-hyung said he had expected Lee Sedol to be quiet but found he talks a lot, and praised his concentration and ability to review games. [ 16 ]

Hankook Ilbo gave background on Lee Sedol, who is 42. It said he turned professional at 12, has won 14 major world titles and lost to AlphaGo 4-1 in 2016. It said he retired as a baduk player in 2019, later debuted as a board-game author and has appeared on several television programmes. Yonhap also said he retired in 2019. [ 7 , 16 ]