'Devil's Plan 2' contestant Choi Hyun Jun apologizes after the show's finale

Choi Hyun Jun, a model and KAIST mathematics graduate, shared his thoughts on the conclusion of 'Devil’s Plan 2.'

On May 20, Netflix's brain survival reality show 'Devil's Plan: Death Room' (also known as 'Devil's Plan 2') released its final 12th episode, bringing the season to an end.

To mark the occasion, cast member Choi Hyun Jun posted a handwritten message on Instagram expressing his feelings about the show's conclusion.

He reflected, “The final episode has finally been revealed. That one scorching week in August last year meant everything to us. At times I cried, at times I laughed, and sometimes I came face to face with parts of myself I had never seen before.”

He continued, “It was an honor to be able to share such a vivid summer memory, perhaps the most intense of my life, with all of you.”

Choi Hyun Jun humbly added, “I’m full of regret for not being able to show a calmer, more composed, and rational side of myself. But I think the other 13 players truly made up for that.”

In the show, Choi Hyun Jun played a major role in betraying fellow contestants he had formed alliances with, competing for the win on the show. However, in the latest behind-the-scenes discussion with five contestants, Son Eun Yoo, Yoon So Hee, Jung Hyun Kyu, 7High, and Choi Hyun Jun, it was revealed that the betrayal had already been planned with the producers to a certain extent from the beginning.

Choi Hyun Jun explained, "(The betrayal was planned from the beginning) but actually from the start... that was the plan all along." After revealing that the betrayal had been planned from the start, Yoon So Hee confessed, "That's why I felt more betrayed. We had this huge fight there that didn't even make the cut. Kyuhyun and I were arguing like crazy whether we should betray or not." She confessed she struggled because she felt guilty planning a betrayal and explained, "But turns out they were planning to trick me from the beginning! Watching it back, I was like 'Why did I even care so much?' If I had known about this situation, it would've been an easy decision."

Producer Jung Jong Yeon also revealed that Choi Hyun Jun had misunderstood the rules of the game. He explained, "You're misunderstanding something, Hyun Jun. What the host actually said was not that betrayal and lies would earn applause."

The producer continued, "'Even if your victory is built on ugly lies and betrayal, we'll applaud you and reward you with the prize money.' So say you win. But that win was built on lies and betrayal. Even so, we'll still clap for the winner."

Choi Hyun Jun expressed his shock and shared that he had thought the point of the game was to betray and deceive fellow contestants. He shared, "I kept thinking 'I'll get applause for betrayal! When should I betray? When's the best timing?' I kept thinking this. And then no one clapped... [Realizing what that applause meant] Now I get why."

Korean netizens and viewers who followed 'Devil's Plan 2' came to understand why Choi Hyun Jun had posted an apology immediately after the show concluded. One netizen commented, "They were harshly painting Choi Hyun Jun to be the villain. Now I understand why he apologized as soon as the final episode was revealed."

Other netizens chimed in and commented:

“I hope he can shake it off after seeing the supportive comments.”

“He was just trying to survive in the game. What part of that makes him a villain?”

“Honestly, it felt like some contestants were working with the production team.”

“I hope Hyun Jun knows that a lot of people were rooting for him.”

“He wasn’t the villain. Others ruined the game more.”

“The editing was brutal. He’s not a villain, the framing was.”

“The real culprits were that trio, but only Hyun Jun is suffering mentally.”

“You did your best, Hyun Jun. Don’t lose confidence.”

“Betraying people to win the game isn’t a crime.”

“Seriously, the producers are the problem here.”

“Hyun Jun didn’t do anything wrong. He made a choice to survive.”

“Hyun Jun, you did nothing wrong. Don’t let this get to you.”

"The producer should not make any more survival programs. He's the biggest villain here."

"I knew the show was scripted to a certain extent."

"I don't know why he had to apologize. But I get why he did. The producers made him out to be a bad person. But he really isn't."

"I'm so sad that he received hate during the show."

"He only betrayed so he could survive."

"He wasn't a villain. He just showed a character that can be generally seen in a survival show like this."

"I hate the producer."

"I was rooting for Hyun Jun to be the winner."