Parents' Guide to

The 8 Show

By Ty'Kira Smalls, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Survival costs are high in dark comedy; cursing and smoking.

TV Netflix Comedy 2024
The 8 Show TV show poster: A group of people stand on a stage, cast in a spotlight. They’re surrounded by a red curtain.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • The 8 Show TV show screenshot 1: Ryu Jun-yeol looks around in a dark blank room while clutching a red card.
  • The 8 Show TV show screenshot 2: Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee,Park Jeong-min,Lee Yul-eum sit around on a makeshift jungle gym.
  • The 8 Show TV show screenshot 3: Ryu Jun-yeol and Moon Jeong-Hee look to the side is disgust and horror.

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What's the Story?

In THE 8 SHOW, Bae Jin-su (Ryu Jun-yeol) is in debt. Even if he worked nonstop his entire life, he still wouldn't make a dent in his insurmountable debt. Just as he's about to end it all, huge amounts of money are deposited into his account. He's then given the choice to participate in a secret reality show set in an eight-story building to win billions, or take a little bit of money and go home. With nothing to lose, Bae Jin-su joins the show.

Giving up all his belongings, Bae Jin-su sees that every minute he's in the show, he makes money. But finding the studio to have no means of survival, he must buy items to live. Everything costs 1000 times more than usual, and that amount is subtracted from his prize money. Bae Jin-su just needs to survive for as long as possible while buying as little as possible. But when he meets the other contestants, it's revealed that everyone is making different amounts of money, and some people have access to resources.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

This series has intriguing characters and a unique premise. The 8 Show is clever, current, and complex, and the production is creative and sleek. The characters and their dynamics/interactions are dark, humorous, and thrilling to watch. The smoking, swearing, and violence makes this suitable for older teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what The 8 Show has to say about money, capitalism, and class. How does each contestant relate to the others? The longer they survive, how does this change?

  • Are any of the characters admirable? Can non-admirable characters still be interesting?

TV Details

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