Problematic Men

Problematic Men
Promotional poster
Also known asThe Brainiacs
GenreTalkshow
Variety
StarringJun Hyun-moo
Kim Ji-seok
Lee Jang-won [ko]
Ha Seok-jin
Joo Woo-jae
DDotty [ko]
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes224
Production
Production locationSouth Korea
Running time75 minutes
Production companytvN
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseFebruary 26, 2015 (2015-02-26) –
February 13, 2020 (2020-02-13)

Problematic Men (Korean: 문제적남자) was a South Korean television program that aired on tvN. It starred Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Lee Jang-won [ko] (Peppertones), Ha Seok-jin, Joo Woo-jae and DDotty.[1][2]

The program went on hiatus after its broadcast on March 25, 2018.[3] On May 9, 2018, it was announced that the program would be returning as Season 2 from May 29, and would air on every Tuesday at 23:00 (KST), with no change in the current cast lineup.[4] Beginning January 7, 2019 the program aired on Mondays at 23:00 (KST).

The program was on another hiatus after its broadcast on June 10, 2019, as the program was to be replaced by More Salty Tour in its time slot, and it was slated to return in the second half of 2019.[5] On October 28, 2019, tvN confirmed the program would return as Season 3 starting November 21, 2019, with original cast members Tyler Rasch and Park Kyung (Block B) not returning. Plus, model Joo Woo-jae and YouTuber/entrepreneur DDotty [ko] would join the cast as new members.[6]

The program had an indefinite hiatus as of February 13, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, which made filming of the program difficult. No update about the show was announced, indicating that the series has ended.[7]

Program

It is a talk show variety program that focuses on various types of problems every week, sometimes with a theme. The cast invited for this program are 6 males, that have been labelled as "men with hot brains".

Traditionally, the cast is given clues to guess the identity of the episode's guest(s), and once the guest appears and are introduced, they and the cast are given a set of problems to solve. It is a tradition that all problems for the episode must be solved before the whole recording of the episode would end.

Season 3 features the theme of Brain Wanderers Squad/Travelling Brainiacs (Korean: 브레인 유랑단), where the cast goes outdoors, unlike most of the previous 2 seasons when they were in the studio. The 6 cast members travel to various places around South Korea, varying from campuses to companies. For each place, the members would be split into 2 teams of 3 to look for people who they think are hidden brainiacs in the place and each team selects one to join, and the 2 teams go against each other in a battle of problem solving.[8] The winning team can get off work on time, while the losing team has to stay in the campus to study after filming for the show is complete.

Airtime

Air date Airtime
Season 1
February 26 – July 16, 2015 Thursdays at 11:00 PM KST
August 16, 2015 – March 25, 2018 Sundays at 10:30 PM KST
Season 2
May 29, 2018 – January 1, 2019 Tuesdays at 11:00 PM KST
January 7 – June 10, 2019 Mondays at 11:00 PM KST
Season 3
November 21, 2019 – February 13, 2020 Thursdays at 8:00 PM KST

Cast

Episodes

In the ratings below, for each year, the highest rating for the show will be in red, and the lowest rating for the show will be in blue.

2015

List of 2015 episodes (episode 1-41)
Episode # Broadcast Date Guest Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea)
1 February 26, 2015 - 2.374%
2 March 5, 2015 - 1.834%
3 March 12, 2015 Lee Won-suk 1.633%
4 March 19, 2015 - 1.425%
5 March 26, 2015 - 1.838%
6 April 2, 2015 - 1.745%
7 April 9, 2015 - 1.978%
8 April 16, 2015 - 1.750%
9 April 23, 2015 Jackson (GOT7) 1.663%
10 April 30, 2015 Suho (EXO) 1.733%
11 May 7, 2015 1.492%
12 May 14, 2015 Kim Ban-seok (elder brother of Kim Ji-seok, graduate of University of Oxford) 2.023%
13 May 21, 2015 Kim Young-chul 1.729%
14 May 28, 2015 Han Seung-yeon (KARA) 1.465%
15 June 4, 2015 - 1.426%
16 June 11, 2015 Lee Ki-woo 1.437%
17 June 18, 2015 Ha Sang-wook (Author) 1.496%
18 June 25, 2015 Shin Jae Pyung 1.908%
19 July 2, 2015 Pyo Chang-won 1.888%
20 July 9, 2015 - 2.027%
21 July 16, 2015 Yang Se-hyung
Lee Jin-ho 		1.790%
22 August 16, 2015 Shin Jae Pyung 1.568%
23 August 23, 2015 Kim Chong-woon (Principal of a creative development institute, starter of Korea's pictorial brain warm-ups)
Lee Chi-sung (Well known comic strips author, under the pseudonym CHO)
Shin Jae Pyung 		1.872%
24 August 30, 2015 Song Ki-moon (CTO of a game company)
Shin Jae Pyung 		1.783%
25 September 6, 2015 - 2.311%
26 September 13, 2015 - 1.902%
27 September 20, 2015 Dennis Hong 1.951%
28 September 27, 2015 - 1.632%
29 October 4, 2015 Lee Eun-gyeol 1.796%
30 October 11, 2015 Jang Dong-min, Hong Jin-ho 2.217%
31 October 18, 2015 Kim Hyung-kyu (Dentist, broadcaster) 2.163%
32 October 25, 2015 Yoonhan 1.846%
33 November 1, 2015 Yoon So-hee 2.508%
34 November 8, 2015 Jang Jin 2.119%
35 November 15, 2015 Sung Jin-hwan, In Ho-jin (Sweet Sorrow) 2.349%
36 November 22, 2015 Hwang Jae Keun (designer) 2.045%
37 November 29, 2015 Shin Jae Pyung, Key (SHINee) 2.157%
38 December 6, 2015 1.696%
39 December 13, 2015 1.547%
40 December 20, 2015 Ji Joo-yeon (Actress, achieved Bachelor in Media Informatics at from Seoul National University) 2.892%
41 December 27, 2015 Lee Jun-seok 2.522%

2016

List of 2016 episodes (episode 42–92)
Episode # Broadcast Date Guest Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea)
42 January 3, 2016 Go Joo-won 2.808%
43 January 10, 2016 Yoo Jae-hwan (Music producer) 2.463%
44 January 17, 2016 Lee Seung-won (Violist) 2.863%
45 January 24, 2016 Oh Sang-jin 3.236%
46 January 31, 2016 Choi Chang-yub (actor) 2.720%
47 February 7, 2016 Kim Sook, Kim Young-hee, Kim Min-kyung, Lee Se-young 2.309%
48 February 14, 2016 2.934%
49 February 21, 2016 Kim Young-woo, Song Woo-jin (Sweet Sorrow) 2.704%
50 February 28, 2016 Special appearance by Laboum 2.431%
51 March 6, 2016 Yoo Jae-Myung 1.913%
52 March 13, 2016 Lee Tae-min (SHINee) 1.646%
53 March 20, 2016 Chloë Grace Moretz 2.488%
54 March 27, 2016 Kyuhyun (Super Junior) 2.047%
55 April 3, 2016 Sam Hammington, Sam Okyere 2.308%
56 April 10, 2016 Nop.K (musician) 1.574%
57 April 17, 2016 Lee Won-suk (Daybreak) 1.739%
58 April 24, 2016 Block B 2.424%
59 May 1, 2016 1.400%
60 May 8, 2016 eAeon (Mot) 1.748%
61 May 15, 2016 Sa Hye-won (sophomore student at the University of Oxford) 2.782%
62 May 22, 2016 Cho Tae-kwan (actor) 2.095%
63 May 29, 2016 Park So-jin (Girl's Day) 2.212%
64 June 5, 2016 Dr. Simpson (rapper) 2.274%
65 June 12, 2016 Yang Se-chan, Lee Yong-jin 2.440%
66 June 19, 2016 Joo Woo-jae (model) 2.575%
67 June 26, 2016 Tony An 2.733%
68 July 3, 2016 JaePyung Shin (Peppertones), Song Ki-mun, Joo Woo-jae,
Sung Jin-hwan (Sweet Sorrow), Jang Dong-min, Special appearance by Lovelyz on episode 69 		1.872%
69 July 10, 2016 2.175%
70 July 17, 2016 Kwon Sun-il (Urban Zakapa) 2.849%
71 July 24, 2016 Kim Nam-hee (sports announcer, 2014 Miss Korea contestant, Mensa International member) 2.204%
72 July 31, 2016 Roy Kim, Joo Woo Jae 3.097%
73 August 7, 2016 Ko Na-young, Seo Yu-ri (student), Jung Min-gun 2.591%
74 August 14, 2016 1.943%
Dominic O'Brien, Joo Woo-jae (standing in for Park Kyung)
75 August 21, 2016 1.733%
76 August 28, 2016 John Park 2.450%
77 September 4, 2016 Wendy (Red Velvet), Joo Woo-jae (standing in for Park Kyung) 2.236%
78 September 11, 2016 Jun. K (2PM) 1.734%
79 September 18, 2016 Lee Soo-geun 2.118%
80 September 25, 2016 Choi Jung-moon 2.684%
81 October 2, 2016 Kim Ji-woon (chef, graduate of Eton College) 2.819%
82 October 16, 2016 Choi Min-ho (Shinee) 1.969%
83 October 23, 2016 Yoon Duk-won (Broccoli You Too) 2.250%
84 October 30, 2016 Jung Ha-eun, Jung Ji-woong (children of Jung Eun-pyo) 2.710%
85 November 6, 2016 Goo Sae-bom (announcer), Goo Se-kyung
(sisters) 		1.897%
86 November 13, 2016 Cha Eun-woo (ASTRO) 1.878%
87 November 20, 2016 Lee Jong-beom (webcomic artist) 1.777%
88 November 27, 2016 J-Min 2.103%
89 December 4, 2016 Yellow Bench (music duo) 2.696%
90 December 11, 2016 Park Sae-him (elder sister of Block B Park Kyung) 2.447%
91 December 18, 2016 myunDo (rapper) 1.940%
92 December 25, 2016 Park Na-rae, Kim Ji-min, Ahn Young-mi, Kang Yoo-mi, Oh Nami, Heo Anna 2.406%

2017

List of 2017 episodes (episode 93-144)
Episode # Broadcast Date Guest Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea)
93 January 1, 2017 Park Na-rae, Kim Ji-min, Ahn Young-mi, Kang Yoo-mi, Oh Nami, Heo Anna 2.629%
94 January 8, 2017 Kim Jeong-hoon 4.006%
95 January 15, 2017 Kim Jae-kyung, Lee Young-rae (SAT 2017 full marks candidates)
(Special voice appearance by Jeon So-mi) 		3.135%
96 January 22, 2017 Yong Duk Jhun (Digital cinematographer working at DreamWorks Animation) 3.016%
97 January 29, 2017 Seo Bo-hyun (Harvard University student, 2 time world debating champion) 3.142%
98 February 5, 2017 Choi Jeong, Oh Jeong-ah (Go players) 3.648%
99 February 12, 2017 Oh Min-suk 2.148%
100 February 19, 2017 100th Episode Special (Part 1); Special appearance by Cosmic Girls 3.406%
101 February 26, 2017 100th Episode Special (Part 2) 3.097%
102 March 5, 2017 Song Jae-kyeong (vocal of indie band 9 and the Numbers, chief of strategic planning department of one of the top construction companies in Korea) 2.412%
103 March 12, 2017 Kangnam 2.499%
104 March 19, 2017 Kim Dong-hyeok (Civil servant), Joo Woo-jae (stand-in for Park Kyung) 2.336%
105 March 26, 2017 Stella Jang (Singer-songwriter, graduate of Agro ParisTech, a Grandes école, majoring in Life Engineering),
Shin Jae-pyung (stand-in for Park Kyung) 		2.433%
106 April 2, 2017 Lisa (singer, musical actress),
Lee Kyu-chang (CEO of Kin033 Entertainment, graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in business)
(both are married to each other) 		2.103%
107 April 9, 2017 Won Jong-gun (appeared on MBC's Exclamation Mark - Open Your Eyes in 2005; currently graduated from Kyung Hee University, majoring in Information and Communication; also the recipient of 2016 Korea's Talent award) 2.268%
108 April 16, 2017 Lee Su-ryeon (actress, former security agent in Presidential Security Service, achieved Masters in International Security Studies at Yonsei University and Bachelor in English Literature at Ewha Womans University) 2.639%
109 April 23, 2017 Seo Kyung-seok 2.005%
110 April 30, 2017 Kang Min-gil, Jung Won-ho, Kim Young-jong, Hong Hyuk-pyo, Ryu Chan-young, Han Kyu-beom (KAIST Special) 2.769%
111 May 7, 2017 1.921%
112 May 14, 2017 Han Jun-hee (Software engineer at Google, achieved Bachelor of Science, software engineering at Sungkyunkwan University) 2.456%
113 May 21, 2017 Peter Han (Musician, University of Vienna graduate with major in English Literature) 1.886%
114 May 28, 2017 Nahzam Sue (Singer, producer, audio engineer, member of band Sultan of the Disco) 2.042%
115 June 4, 2017 Sol Bi, Croquiky Brothers 2.441%
116 June 11, 2017 Lee Jung-hyun (Designer at Volvo, graduate of Umeå Institute of Design in Umeå University) 2.078%
117 June 18, 2017 Lee Min-woong (Home shopping host) 2.001%
118 June 25, 2017 Haim Shafir (board game designer), Laboum 1.622%
119 July 2, 2017 John Park, Roy Kim (Liberal arts VS Science team battle) 2.052%
120 July 9, 2017 Kwak Seung-jae (Leader of the South Korea national team for World Puzzle Championship, obtained master's degree in mathematics at Pohang University of Science and Technology) 2.000%
121 July 16, 2017 Lee Yeon-hwa (Creative director, bodybuilder) 2.505%
122 July 23, 2017 Park Ji-sun (Comedian, achieved Bachelor of Education at Korea University College of Education in Korea University),
Shin Jae-pyung (standing in for Park Kyung) 		3.042%
123 July 30, 2017 Choi Hyun-woo (Magician),
Song Young-jo (Doctorate student of Biology & Brain Engineering in KAIST) 		3.142%
124 August 6, 2017 Im Young-min, Yu Seon-ho, Lee Eui-woong
(Produce 101 Season 2 contestants) 		2.687%
125 August 13, 2017 Kang Sung-tae (Online learning lecturer, studied in Seoul National University) 2.655%
126 August 20, 2017 Jasmine Saein Park (Graduated from Stanford University, worked at Microsoft, Seoul International School high honor student, daughter of Insooni) 2.272%
127 August 27, 2017 Kim Jun-heon (National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun's administrative secretary, Seoul National University's College of Education graduate) 2.325%
128 September 3, 2017 Shin Jae-pyung, Kwak Seung-jae
(World Puzzle Championship 2017 national representatives preliminaries Special) 		2.731%
129 September 10, 2017 Moon Ga-young 2.455%
130 September 17, 2017 Ahn Jeong-hyun, Kim Da-in (2017 International Mathematical Olympiad South Korea national team representatives, both won gold medals, studied at Seoul Science High School) 3.119%
131 September 24, 2017 Choi Han-jin, Park Jong-geol (Korea University students) Kim Woon-yeon, Lee Chung-hee (Yonsei University students)
(Korea University–Yonsei University rivalry Special) 		2.954%
132 October 1, 2017 Tony An, Taemin (SHINee), Shin Jae-pyung, Joo Woo-jae (Special voice appearances by Yoo In-young, Han Sun-hwa and Park Bo-ram on episode 132)
(Autumn Picnic Special, Hardcore Treasure Hunt) 		2.304%
133 October 8, 2017 1.884%
134 October 15, 2017 Choi Yu-ri (Airline crew manager, worked for Qatar Airways for 5 years, graduate of Sungshin Women's University Department of German Language and Literature),
Choi Yu-na (Entrepreneur, 2013 Miss Korea Seoul 2nd runner-up, former reporter, graduate of Sookmyung Women's University Department of Economics),
Choi Yu-sol (Model, graduate of Ewha Womans University Department of Korean Language and Literature)
(The three are sisters) 		3.037%
135 October 22, 2017 Yoon Jung-soo,
P.O (Block B) (standing in for Lee Jang-won) 		2.909%
136 October 29, 2017 Jang Jin-mo (Chef, crafted all dishes meant for drama Temperature of Love) 2.377%
137 November 5, 2017 Ddotty (YouTuber, graduate of Yonsei University's Yonsei Law School, co-entrepreneur of Sandbox Network, 2017 Korea Cable TV Awards One Man Creator Award winner) 2.208%
138 November 12, 2017 EXID (except Solji) 2.422%
139 November 19, 2017 Lee Jeong-eun (HR consultant working in Paris, awarded master's degrees for administrative, management and economics from international organisations in France, first Korean to be promoted from intern to official staff at OECD) 2.275%
140 November 26, 2017 Park Seong-ho (KAIST Department of Industrial Design top graduate, took part in National Creative Olympiad for 4 consecutive years, Audi Awards 2016 Excellence Award recipient for Best Innovation) 2.112%
141 December 3, 2017 Kim Ji-seok, Ahn Sung-joon (Go players) 2.313%
142 December 10, 2017 Ryan S. Jhun (Record producer, was qualified for Berklee College of Music, New York University Department of Music, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Queens College, City University of New York, Queensborough Community College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and City University of New York) 2.262%
143 December 17, 2017 Jo Seung-yeon (Humanities writer, graduated from New York University, Sorbonne University and École du Louvre, speaks 7 languages),
Claudio Jung/Jung Kyung (Baritone, current Kookmin University professor, speaks 3 languages),
Choi Sung-jun (Actor, graduated from Seoul National University, Mensa International member with top 2% IQ in South Korea),
Blair Williams (Television personality, graduated from University of Queensland),
Kim Rok (Currently the CEO of an advertising company, graduated from Hanyang University, former reporter and announcer),
Yoo In-young
(Year End Special) 		3.229%
144 December 24, 2017 3.245%

2018

List of 2018 episodes (episode 145-187)
Episode # Broadcast Date Guest Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea)
145 January 7, 2018 Chang Ki-ha (Musician, Seoul National University graduate with bachelor's degree in sociology)
Jeon Jae-yoon (ETH Zurich Atmospheric Sciences master's degree student)
Jae Gal So-young (ETH Zurich Physics Doctorate student)
Kim Bae-jeong (ETH Zurich Chemistry and Applied Science Doctorate student) 		2.627%
146 January 14, 2018 1.757%
Kim So-yeon (Mammut Sports Group's only Korean worker, ski suit designer)
147 January 21, 2018 Chang Ki-ha 2.095%
148 January 28, 2018 An Mi-na (Actress, Yonsei University graduate majoring in Philosophy and Psychology)
Blair Williams (standing in for Tyler Rasch) 		2.166%
149 February 4, 2018 Paul M. Yun (Current El Camino College professor, only Korean ambassador for NASA, admissions officer for Harvard University, obtained master's degree in education from Harvard University, Master's degree in mathematics from University of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor's degree in mathematics from University of California, Berkeley, also SAT, GRE and GMAT Mathematics questions setter) 2.328%
150 February 11, 2018 Lee Seung-jin (White Hat hacker, CEO of a number one security system consulting enterprise in South Korea)
Kang Heung-soo (White Hat hacker, developer of V3 (South Korea representative computer vaccine that has acknowledgement from Samsung, Microsoft and more), has an IQ of 156)
Jang Joon-ho (White Hat hacker, first 3rd place from Asia in the finals of world hacking competition DEF CON, recipient of the Presidential Award in Talent Medal of Korea, Pohang University of Science and Technology's Information Security research group chairman) 		2.931%
151 February 18, 2018 Kwon Hyuk-soo 2.399%
152 February 25, 2018 No guests (3rd Anniversary Special) 1.369%
153 March 4, 2018 Yoon Duk-won (Episode 83 guest)
Choi Eo-jin (Episode 89 guest)
Chang Ki-ha (Episodes 145-147 guest)
Kwak Seung-jae (Episodes 120, 128 guest)
Jang Joon-ho (Episode 150 guest)
Oh Tae-seok (Episode 100 guest)
Choi Sung-jun (Episodes 143-144 guest)
Kim Da-in (Episode 130 guest)
Han Kyu-beom (Episodes 110-111 guest)
Jung Won-ho (Episodes 110-111 guest)
(3rd Anniversary Special #2: Hot Brain Game of Thrones Special) 		2.273%
154 March 11, 2018 '3rd Anniversary Special #2: Hot Brain Game of Thrones Special Part 2; Special appearance by Momoland 1.923%
155 March 18, 2018 Kim Ji-hoon
(Special appearances by Oh My Girl (YooA, Seunghee) through video) 		1.357%
156 March 25, 2018 Ji Il-joo (Actor, member of Mensa International, has an IQ of 156, obtained master's degree from College of Arts in Chung-Ang University)
(Final episode of Season 1) 		2.010%
Season 2
157 May 29, 2018 (Special appearances by baritone Claudio Jung/Jung Kyung and mezzo-soprano Im Jeong-sook) 1.332%
158 June 5, 2018 No guests 2.121%
159 June 12, 2018 1.310%
160 June 19, 2018 Kim Dae-shik (Current professor in KAIST's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, professor in the Max Planck Society, had undergone postdoctoral course for Brain and Cognitive Sciences in Massachusetts Institute of Technology, researcher at Riken, assistant tutor in University of Minnesota, associate professor in Boston University) 1.447%
161 June 26, 2018 Ji So-yun 1.183%
162 July 3, 2018 Yoo Byung-jae 1.306%
163 July 10, 2018 Lee Si-won (Actress, achieved bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University and master's degree in anthropology from Seoul National University Graduate School) 1.827%
164 July 17, 2018 Hyelim 1.700%
165 July 24, 2018 Jeong Cheol-gyu (Comedian, Kyungnam University graduate majoring in electronic engineering, Mensa member since May 2018, member of Civiq Society, has an IQ of 172)
Lee Yoon-sang (Announcer, Mensa member since 2007 with a tested IQ of 164)
Kim In-beom (Student from Seoul National University majoring in mechanical engineering, Mensa member)
Kim Dong-hyun (Rubik's Cube player, current Korea record setter for solving of 2x2x2 Rubik's Cube, Mensa member)
(Mensa Avengers Special) 		1.281%
166 July 31, 2018 Lee Gyu-bin (Civil servant starting from May 2019, currently studying at Seoul National University majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in marketing, passed the Financial Administrative Examination Level 5, participant of Heart Signal Season 2) 1.520%
167 August 7, 2018 Choi Hong-woo (13 years old, took part in the 2014 and 2015 Mathematical Kangaroo and obtained 11th place among all contestants, gold medal in the 2018 International Olympiad in Informatics preliminaries, attended the Center for Talented Youth)
Hwang Chan-woo (11 years old, youngest to be invited to the Blue House as a member)
Oh Jung-hyun and Oh Jung-hoon (10 years old twins, 2017 World Puzzle Championship contestants, Asia Sudoku Championship 2018 team round 1st place)
Hong Han-joo (14 years old, mathematics formula genius)
(Problematic Men VS Young Geniuses Special) 		1.725%
168 August 14, 2018 Choi Tae-seong (History lecturer in EBSi)
Han Soo-yeon
(National Liberation Day of Korea Special) 		1.576%
169 August 21, 2018 Lee Min-hyung (18 years old, current intern at Seoul National University medical research center) 1.630%
170 August 28, 2018 Aron (NU'EST)
Cho Joo-hee (ABC News' Seoul bureau chief and reporter) 		2.002%
171 September 4, 2018 iKON (Jinhwan, B.I, Donghyuk) 1.240%
172 September 11, 2018 DIA (Huihyeon, Chaeyeon, Somyi) 1.292%
173 September 18, 2018 Lee Eun-gyeol
Kang Sung-joo (Current senior researcher at Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin graduate majoring in Physics and Astronomy, completed University of Iowa's Astrophysics doctorate course) 		1.939%
174 September 25, 2018 Shin Bong-sun
Park Ji-sun (Comedian, achieved Bachelor of Education at Korea University College of Education in Korea University)
Lee Si-won (Actress, achieved bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University and master's degree in anthropology from Seoul National University Graduate School)
Park Shin-young (Freelance announcer, former announcer of MBC Sports Plus, achieved Bachelor in Economics at New York University)
Go So-hyun (Model, graduated from Ewha Womans University majoring in Computer Science)
Hyelim
(Chuseok Special: Problematic Women) 		1.893%
175 October 2, 2018 Hikaru Suzuki (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law, was awarded the Hult Prize, acknowledged by Stanford University)
Sou Mizukami (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine, top 0.01% in Japan)
Hinano Sugimoto (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's School of Science Department of Physics, 1st place in Miss International Japan 2018)
Takushi Izawa (Currently studying at University of Tokyo Graduate School studying agricultural economics, director of a questions and answers magazine, from University of Tokyo majoring in economics)
Takemata Beni (Japanese professional Shogi player, currently studying at Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics)
Ogi Hitoshi (Graduated from Keio University, member of Non-Summit)
(Korea VS Japan Special) 		2.842%
176 October 9, 2018 1.909%
177 October 16, 2018 Croquiky Brothers 2.620%
178 October 23, 2018 Kim Jung-hyun (Carrie; 2015 Miss Intercontinental Korea Semi Winner)
Lee Sung-in (Ellie; studied in Capital Normal University, current director of CarrieSoft)
Hyun Chae-min (Lucy; speaks French, Japanese and English)
(The three are part of YouTube channel Carrie TV) 		2.161%
179 October 30, 2018 Kim Jin-yeob (Actor, singer, scholarship student from Korea University)
Key (Shinee) (standing in for Kim Ji-seok) 		1.810%
180 November 6, 2018 Jeon Hyun-moo (Currently studying in Konkuk University majoring in physics)
Ha Seok-jin (Currently studying in Sogang University majoring in computer engineering)
Park Kyung (Lawyer, graduated from law school 6 years ago)
Lee Jang-won (Obtained master's degree in plastic surgery from Yonsei University's Severance Hospital, IQ150)
Tyler Maxey (English teacher working in Korea for 1 year, from Texas) 		2.091%
181 November 13, 2018 Park Chan-hoo (Currently studying at Pohang University of Science and Technology's Computer Engineering course)
Kim Hyun-sung (Currently studying at Pohang University of Science and Technology's Electrical and Electronic Engineering course)
(Both are co-founders of media startup Geekble, which was listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2018 list, and was awarded the 1st Google Newslab Fellowship scholarship) 		1.733%
182 November 20, 2018 Kim Seo-yeon (Miss Korea 2014 winner, graduated from Ewha Womans University majoring in Business Administration, vice-leader of Seoul branch's Global Shaper Community for World Economic Forum)
Lee Chae-rin (World Miss University 2017 contestant, currently studying in Korea University majoring in Business Administration)
Han Ga-hyeon (2017 Chunhyang Selection Contest's Miss Chunhyang, currently studying in Sogang University for triple major in National Literature, News Media and Education Culture) 		2.234%
183 November 27, 2018 Kim Beom-joon (Chief Technology Officer of popular delivery app Delivery's Nation, graduated from KAIST School of Computing)
Jang In-seong (Chief Brand Officer of popular delivery app Delivery's Nation) 		1.619%
184 December 4, 2018 Kwon Hyuk-gyu (Currently studying in Pohang University of Science and Technology, currently operating a SNS account for assistance in solving mathematics problems)
Choi Hyun-joon (Currently studying in KAIST, achieved top 0.2% in Baccalauréat examinations)
Kim Yeon-joon (Currently working at Ewha Womans University as a mathematics tutor for undergraduates and postgraduates)
Kim Myung-soo (Currently studying in Seoul National University, achieved 1st place in academics among the entire Seoul Science High School)
Choi Kyung-don (Currently studying in Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) 		2.124%
185 December 11, 2018 AIVAN (Singer-songwriter; currently studying at Yonsei University as a scholarship master's degree student, member of Mensa International with IQ 156, formerly an intern reporter of CNN Korea)
Sungjoo (UNIQ member, actor; previously studied in China for 3 years)
Han Min-se (Singer-songwriter, part of Long:D; graduated from Yonsei University majoring in philosophy)
Siyoon (Singer, actor, former member of Paran and U-KISS; studied in Columbia University)
Inseong (SF9 member; studied in London for one year)
Yoonsan (HOTSHOT member; stayed in France for 8 years, majored in design, was an intern designer at Chanel)
Joo Eo-jin (Model)
Park Chan-gyu (Model)
Hyunuk (IN2IT member)
Taro (Hot Blood Youth Member)
(Problematic Men Intern Selections Special) 		2.145%
186 December 18, 2018 Michael K. Lee (Musical actor, graduate of Stanford University majoring in psychology and medicine)
Ham Yeon-ji (Musical actress, graduated from Daewon Foreign Language High School, graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts)
AIVAN (as Problematic Men Intern) 		2.451%
187 December 25, 2018 Lee Si-won (Actress, achieved bachelor's degree in business administration from Seoul National University and master's degree in anthropology from Seoul National University Graduate School)
Park Shin-young (Freelance announcer, former announcer of MBC Sports Plus, achieved Bachelor in Economics at New York University)
Han Ga-hyeon (2017 Chunhyang Selection Contest's Miss Chunhyang, currently studying in Sogang University for triple major in National Literature, News Media and Education Culture)
Stella Jang (Singer-songwriter, graduate of Agro ParisTech, a Grandes école, majoring in Life Engineering)
Jeon Sung-cho (Arirang TV newscaster, currently studying at Ewha Womans University's Graduate School of Translation and Interpreting, achieved bachelor's degree in Geography and Environmental Science from Florida State University)
Park Yoo-rim (Currently studying in KAIST, former member of all-girl children's group 7 Princess)
Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern)
(Christmas Special: Problematic Men VS Problematic Women) 		2.221%

2019

List of 2019 episodes (episode 188-217)
Episode # Broadcast Date Guest Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea)
188 January 1, 2019 WINNER (Lee Seung-hoon, Kang Seung-yoon)
(New Year's Special: Escape The Cube) 		1.884%
Change in broadcast time to every Monday 23:00 (KST)
189 January 7, 2019 Lee Soo-rin (Year 3 student at University of Cambridge majoring in mechanical engineering)
Shin Joon-ha (Year 3 student at University of Cambridge majoring in information engineering)
Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) 		1.958%
190 January 14, 2019 Hwang Je-sung (Comedian, achieved bachelor's degree in performing arts from Sungkyunkwan University)
Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) 		2.315%
191 January 21, 2019 Oumaima Fatih (from Morocco, studied in Seoul National University majoring in construction engineering)
Eugina Svetlana (from Russia, currently studying at Sungkyunkwan University majoring in political diplomacy, graduated from an arts school in Russia with full marks in all modules)
Daniel Tudor (from England, studied in University of Oxford, former Korea branch president of The Economist, former Blue House overseas speech secretary advisory committee, member of Mensa International with IQ 177 since he was 12)
Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern)
(Global Special Part 1) 		2.067%
192 January 28, 2019 Min Jin-woong
Inseong (SF9; as Problematic Men Intern) 		1.966%
193 February 4, 2019 Kim Chang-jin (Ha Seok-jin's manager)
Han Jae-sang (Jun Hyun-moo's manager)
Min Byung-hoon (Lee Jang-won's manager)
Jeong Hwang-joo (Tyler Rasch's manager)
Lee Won-ho (Park Kyung's manager) 		1.805%
194 February 11, 2019 Jin Ji-hee 1.489%
195 February 18, 2019 (Global Special Part 2: Problematic Men VS National University of Singapore) 1.775%
196 February 25, 2019 Seol Min-seok (History lecturer)
Go So-hyun (Model, graduated from Ewha Womans University majoring in Computer Science) 		2.696%
197 March 4, 2019 No guests
(Korea VS Japan Revenge Match Part 1: Standby training at Kumamoto, Japan) 		1.573%
198 March 11, 2019 Sou Mizukami (Currently studying at University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine, top 0.01% in Japan)
Takushi Izawa (Currently studying at University of Tokyo Graduate School studying agricultural economics, director of a questions and answers magazine, from University of Tokyo majoring in economics)
Takemata Beni (Japanese professional Shogi player, currently studying at Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics)
Shinya Sunagawa (Qualified for University of Tokyo, Waseda University and Keio University at the same period; 2018 Mr University Of Tokyo)
Ema Katahara (Currently studying at Keio University majoring in English and American Literature; Self-learnt 5 languages: Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese and Swahili; received the Heather Diary Award at the 2018 Miss Keio)
(Korea VS Japan Revenge Match Part 2 at Kumamoto, Japan) 		1.338%
199 March 18, 2019 No guests
(Kim Ji-seok's Comeback Special: Save Ji-seok from the Cube) 		1.433%
200 March 25, 2019 200th Episode Special: 200 VS 6 (Part 1)
(Special appearances by Lee Eun-gyeol and Lee Si-won) 		2.005%
201 April 1, 2019 200th Episode Special: 200 VS 6 (Part 2)
(Special appearances by Croquiky Brothers) 		1.762%
202 April 8, 2019 Kim Moon-gi (Seoul National University's School of Dentistry graduate, Class Of 1989; father of Kim Jin-ha and Kim Joon-hwi)
Kim Jin-ha (Seoul National University's College of Medicine student, Class of 2016)
Kim Joon-hwi (Seoul National University's School of Dentistry student, Class of 2018) 		1.755%
203 April 15, 2019 Jun Bum-sun (Singer, songwriter, vocal of rock band Jun Bum-sun and The Yangbans; Dartmouth College alumnus, attained master's degree in history at University of Oxford Graduate Admissions school, formerly an Ivy League admissions coordinator, was qualified for Columbia Law School, University of Cambridge Graduate Admissions school and University of Oxford Graduate Admissions school at the same time) 1.611%
204 April 22, 2019 Park Sung-kwang 1.554%
205 April 29, 2019 IZ*ONE
Blair Williams (standing in for Park Kyung) 		1.592%
206 May 6, 2019 Cha Jae-yi (Actress, daughter of Cha Hwa-yeon; had early graduation from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, scored full marks for mathematics in SAT) 1.529%
207 May 13, 2019 Lee Sa-gang (Film director, graduated from London Film School) 1.148%
208 May 20, 2019 Andy Park (Visual director working for Marvel Studios, comic book artist, illustrator, concept artist) 1.202%
209 May 27, 2019 Kim Jong-min 1.796%
210 June 3, 2019 Ki Dong-hoon (Emergency medicine specialist)
Lee Ho-sang (Fire lieutenant for Daejeon Fire Department)
Kim Tae-il (Staff of Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) 		0.848%
211 June 10, 2019 Hwang Chi-yeul
Yoo Byung-jae
Park Shin-young (Freelance announcer, former announcer of MBC Sports Plus, achieved Bachelor in Economics at New York University)
Stella Jang (Singer-songwriter, graduate of Agro ParisTech, a Grandes école, majoring in Life Engineering)
Hyelim
Inseong (SF9 member; studied in London for one year)
(Final episode of Season 2) 		1.319%
Season 3
Episode # Broadcast Date Location Teams Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea)
212 November 21, 2019 Pohang University of Science and Technology Team Hyunmoo: Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Jang-won, DDotty, Oh Yoon-jae[a]
Team Seokjin: Ha Seok-jin, Kim Ji-seok, Joo Woo-jae, Kim Yoon-hee[b] 		2.044%
213 November 28, 2019 1.945%
214 December 5, 2019 Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine Team Woojae: Joo Woo-jae, Kim Ji-seok, Lee Jang-won, Lee Seung-hwan[c]
Team DDotty: DDotty, Jun Hyun-moo, Ha Seok-jin, Seo Jung-hwan[d] 		1.863%
215 December 12, 2019 Korean Minjok Leadership Academy Team Jeong Yakyong: Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, Koo Min-gi[e]
Team Yi Sun-sin: Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, DDotty, Kim Yeon-seo[f] 		1.964%
216 December 19, 2019 1.585%
217 December 26, 2019 SK Telecom Team Arts: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, DDotty, Jang Yoo-seong[g]
Team Science: Lee Jang-won, Ha Seok-jin, Joo Woo-jae, Lee Ji-soo[h] 		1.784%

2020

List of 2020 episodes (episode 218-224)
Episode # Broadcast Date Location Teams Ratings (AGB Nielsen Korea)
218 January 2, 2020 Seoul Land Team Hyunmoo: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, Verbal Jint
Team Jangwon: Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, DDotty, Park Sae-byul 		1.555%
219 January 9, 2020 Gyeonggi Science High School Team Hyunmoo: Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, Park Jeong-um[i]
Team Followers: Ha Seok-jin, Kim Ji-seok, DDotty, Hong Seok-joo[j] 		1.835%
220 January 16, 2020 1.825%
221 January 23, 2020 Not Applicable[k] Team OB: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Lee Jang-won, Song Young-joon[l]
Team YB: Ha Seok-jin, Joo Woo-jae, DDotty, Lee Jin-hyung[m]
(Special appearances by AIVAN and Lee Seung-hyo[n]) 		1.611%
222 January 30, 2020 Yonsei University Sinchon Line: Jun Hyun-moo, Joo Woo-jae, DDotty, Kim Yeon[o]
81 Line: Kim Ji-seok, Lee Jang-won, Ha Seok-jin, Jung Jin-tae[p] 		1.581%
223 February 6, 2020 1.229%
224 February 13, 2020 Sandbox Network[q] TBA: Jun Hyun-moo, Kim Ji-seok, Ha Seok-jin, Oh Hyun-min
TBA: Lee Jang-won, Joo Woo-jae, DDotty, Yoo Byung-jae
(Special appearance by Copychu) 		1.326%

Note: This program airs on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters.

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2016 tvN10 Awards Best Content Award, Variety Problematic Men Won
Best MC Jun Hyun-moo Nominated
Two Star Award Kim Ji-seok Nominated

Notes

  1. ^ Postgraduate majoring in mathematics, graduated from elite high school with a top ranking, won awards at the university mathematics competition for 3 consecutive years
  2. ^ Undergraduate majoring in life engineering, was tested to have an IQ of 136 at 5 years old
  3. ^ Year 2 undergraduate; obtained full marks for mathematics, English and chemistry in 2016 College Scholastic Ability Test
  4. ^ Year 1 foundation student; graduated from high school with a top 0.1% ranking, was a winner of the Chemistry Research Frontier Prime Minister Award
  5. ^ Year 2 student; national representative for the International Linguistics Olympiad
  6. ^ Year 2 student; administrative head of committee of the school, won various certificates of outstanding accomplishment for debating
  7. ^ Mobility Business department team leader (1.5 years); graduated from Seoul National University majoring in mathematics, obtained masters in computer engineering in America, former CEO of a startup company (specialising in autonomous vehicles and AI) at Silicon Valley
  8. ^ MNO division Retention Team employee (2 years); former sports announcer
  9. ^ Year 2 student; Won gold award for KPHC and KMChC (physics and chemistry respectively), ranked 1st in school for mathematics and science
  10. ^ Year 1 student; Won the Korean Mathematical Olympiad gold award, ranked 1st in school for mathematics
  11. ^ CSAT Full Marks Scorers Special
  12. ^ Obtained full marks for CSAT 2020
  13. ^ Successfully applied for Seoul National University twice, obtained full marks for 2019 CSAT 2019
  14. ^ Student from Korean Minjok Leadership Academy
  15. ^ Year
  16. ^ Year 2 student, majoring in chemical engineering
  17. ^ Co-founder of the company is DDotty

References

  1. ^ Ghim, Sora (February 25, 2015). "The Problematic Men Show Their Real Selves". BNTNews. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  2. ^ Lim, Jeong-yeo (March 31, 2015). "Men with brains gain popularity in Korea". K-pop Herald. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  3. ^ Lee, Hye-mi (March 25, 2018). "'문남' 하석진, 시즌1 마지막 우승자 등극... 재충전 후 다시 만나요[종합]". TVReport (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  4. ^ Park, So-young (May 9, 2018). "[공식입장] '문제적남자' 돌아온다..日→火 '현지먹' 후속 29일 첫방". OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  5. ^ Lee, A-young (May 8, 2019). "'짠내투어2' 박명수·한혜진·이용진·규현 6월 17일 첫 방송 [종합]". Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  6. ^ Park, Soo-in (October 28, 2019). "'문제적남자' 주우재 도티 합류, 11월21일 첫방송 확정(공식)". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  7. ^ Lee, Ha-na (February 27, 2020). "'문제적 남자' 코로나19 여파 당분간 결방, 방송 재개시기 미정(공식)". Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  8. ^ Park, Soo-in (November 13, 2019). ""전현무도 인정"..소통왕 도티→문남덕후 주우재, '문제적 남자' 입문기". enews24 (in Korean). Retrieved November 20, 2019.