'Knowing Bros' Marks 500th Episode With Special Broadcast and Viewer Celebration
Sep 18, 2025
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Starting its first broadcast in December 2015, Knowing Bros. has become a representative JTBC entertainment show centered on the concept of transfer students and the world view of eight brothers. After nearly 10 years of broadcasting through various format changes, it reached the symbolic record of 500 episodes this week.
Knowing Brother was ranked in the Top 10 five times in the non-drama category in the second half of this year alone, and this week, with 500 episodes ahead, it was ranked fifth, proving its robustness. On the 11th, 500 viewers who have been together for 10 years were invited to hold a special on-site recording, adding significance. The 500th special broadcast will be released over two weeks on the 20th and 27th.
Producer Hwang Sang-min and writer Hwang Sun-young, who directed the main production, said in a written interview, `The 500th recording was even more meaningful because it was made with viewers.'
▶The following is a Q&A with producer Hwang Sang-min and writer Hwang Sun-young
Q. JTBC's longest-serving entertainment show Knowing Brother' has already celebrated its 500th episode. How do you feel about celebrating the 500th anniversary?
Producer Hwang Sang-min: Since I joined the program from the 419th episode, the time accumulated by CP Choi Chang-soo, Hwang Sun-young, the production team, and the older brothers, who led the program from the first episode, felt heavy. However, I prepared as much as I felt responsible as I felt the weight, and fortunately, I think a special feature for the 500th episode was made that viewers can look forward to. You can really look forward to the 500th special.
Writer Hwang Sun-young: Can we do 50 episodes?It seems like yesterday that I was worried about ', but 10 years have passed and it's already been 500 times. My feelings are just 'thank you' There were certainly efforts from the production team and the cast, but the biggest reason why we were able to celebrate the 500th episode was because there were people who watched it consistently. I'm so amazed and grateful for that.
Q. What do you think is the secret to becoming JTBC's longest-serving entertainment show?
PD Hwang Sang-min: I think it's definitely 'the power of the brothers'. I think the ability to create unexpected laughter no matter what guests come and the unique chemistry of the brothers is the heart of Knowing Bros.
Hwang Sun-young: It wasn't a broadcast that was aimed at 500 episodes, but it never stopped me thinking about how to watch a lot of broadcasts every week. Sometimes it was exhausting, but maybe the big brother Hodong's words 'we don't deserve to be exhausted' kept whipping us up.
Q. How do you feel about celebrating the 500th anniversary?
Producer Hwang Sang-min: The first time I met the audience, I saw a facial expression that I had never seen in my brothers. Since it was the first time for the 500th episode, the older brothers took it as a very meaningful and moving moment, and their sincerity was conveyed to everyone on the scene.
Hwang Sun-young: Looking back on the past 10 years while preparing for the 500th episode, all of the cast members of "Knowing Bros" have changed their number of digits before their ages. This experience of continuing a program for 10 years was the first time for our brothers and the production team, so there were some people who got a little emotional. There are many things happening within 10 years, such as marriage and remarriage, so I feel more special.
Q. You are invited to the 500th episode, why and how do you feel after the recording?
Producer Hwang Sang-min: The 500th episode of 「Knowing Brother」 is entirely thanks to the viewers, so I invited him to the 「Knowing Brother」 in person because I really wanted to express my gratitude. We have prepared a variety and richly so that you can feel the essence of the 'Knowing Brother' content accumulated up to the 499th episode, so please pay a lot of attention to the 500th special broadcast.
Hwang Sun-young: When I heard that the audience application was close to unanimous, I got goosebumps and I was so grateful. I was sorry that I couldn't invite you all, but just as a week gathered to make 500 weeks (of the event), I wanted to celebrate with 500 viewers. And there were so many people who saw it from the first episode on the day of the recording that I realized that 'Knowing Brother' was made with the viewers and was getting used to it together, and I made up my determination to work harder so as not to disappoint them in the future.
Q. It is attracting attention with its unique guest combination every time. The more episodes accumulate, the deeper the worries about casting.
Producer Hwang Sang-min: Our casting criteria are only one 'new' Viewers are saying, 'What's this combination?We are agonizing over every Monday meeting so that we can make you feel curious.
Q. Is there anything you're trying to change in the 500th episode?
Hwang Sun-young: We are trying to make changes little by little, such as developing a talk segment to satisfy the hearts of those who have been watching the 500th episode and to provide new fun. There's going to be some trial and error along the way, but there's only one key to the change: 'Give the viewers a bigger laugh in a format where they can play a little better.
Q. What kind of program do you want 'Knowing Brother' to become?
Producer Hwang Sang-min: After the 500th episode, an audience member said "I've watched it since the first episode, and I think I've grown up with an older brother I've known for 10 years." As he said, I want to remain a program like an old friend who always stays by the side of the viewers.
Writer Hwang Sun-young: I hope that I will become a friend of Saturday night who can comfort a hard week with laughter, a friend who is always glad to see 'Knowing Brother'.
mj.cho@sportschosun.com
