Latest news with #TheGenius
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Is 'Devil's Plan' 2 the worst game show ever?
Star PD Jung Jong-yeon addresses controversy surrounding 'Devil's Plan' season 2 as final winner issues apology Season 2 of Netflix's survival game show "Devil's Plan" generated intense buzz — though not for the reasons the creators might have hoped. While season 1 earned praise for its intense mind games and unpredictable strategy, the second season has received heavy criticism for the behavior of its participants and a controversial outcome that left viewers divided. Continuing with a new lineup of contestants from diverse professions — including legendary Go player Lee Se-dol, Super Junior's Kyuhyun, and professional poker player Seven High — season 2 ended with Hyun-kyu, a reality star from dating show "EXchange 2" (2022), becoming the final winner and taking home the 380 million won ($275,000) prize. But instead of celebrating the win, viewers quickly accused Hyun-kyu, Kyuhyun and actor Yoon So-hee of forming an alliance that supposedly worked to support Hyun-kyu's victory. The alleged collusion was met with public backlash, with some fans labeling "Devil's Plan" season 2 as 'the worst survival game show ever.' Hyun-kyu's behavior also became a major flashpoint, with critics calling him disrespectful and rude toward other participants. Some fans claimed he didn't deserve the win at all. Facing growing criticism, Hyun-kyu appeared before reporters Tuesday in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, wearing a solemn expression and keeping his head down for most of the event. 'Many people have judged my character, so I reflected on myself. ... I sincerely committed to the program, and during that process, I think I said things that hurt others and showed an aggressive attitude. I feel sorry for making many people uncomfortable and causing trouble for the program, the production team, and the cast,' he said during the group interview. 'I regret that I should have played a bit more gently,' he continued. 'After the program ended, I received the prize money, and since I feel I had a negative influence while winning, I plan to donate a certain amount. I will also enjoy some good food with the other contestants.' Much of the frustration also stemmed from participants forming alliances, which allegedly disrupted the intended flow of gameplay. Producer Jung Jong-yeon, the star producer behind multiple game shows such as "The Genius" and "Great Escape" as well as the producer of the "Devil's Plan" series, acknolwedged the issue, saying, 'It's an unavoidable problem in competitive programs that involve social elements.' 'This genre isn't a brain game where everyone starts from the same line, like a race. If viewers continue to feel frustrated watching that aspect, then it's something we need to reflect on," said Jung, during a group interview session held with Hyun-kyu on the same day. When asked whether he's planning a third season, Jung remained open to the idea, even in the face of ongoing criticism. 'There have been a lot of responses saying, 'I'm not looking forward to season 3,'' he said. '(But) if even one person is looking forward to it, I'd like to do season 3,' Jung said. 'Honestly, even if 'Devil's Plan 3' gets greenlit, I've been thinking about completely changing the structure. While maintaining the core concept of a brain-based social survival game, I wanted to keep introducing new formats. If given the chance, I'll try that again — or we might even release it under a completely different title.'
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Steve Jobs would have been proud of Jony Ive's move: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
In a landmark acquisition that could shape the next decade of consumer technology, OpenAI has acquired 'io', the AI hardware startup founded by legendary Apple designer Sir Jony Ive, in a deal reportedly worth $6.5 billion. The move gives OpenAI not only a foothold in hardware but also access to one of the most visionary design minds of the modern era. According to Bloomberg, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs would have been 'damn proud' of Ive's latest venture, a sentiment that feels less like hyperbole and more like prophecy if this partnership lives up to its potential. Jobs and Ive's partnership has been documented and analysed extensively over the years, and there's little need to revisit it here. What's more compelling is how Ive's famously conceptual, and often deeply abstract, approach to design could influence this new era of AI hardware. If you've read Leander Kahney's Jony Ive: The Genius Behind Apple's Greatest Products, you'll know the Jony Ive of today is very much the same person who once coated the back of film with gouache to perfect the transparency of a sketch. For him, technology has always been about more than function, it's about meaning and emotional resonance. Mobile Finder: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launched in India That passion for thoughtful design and human connection hasn't faded. In fact, it may have only grown deeper. Interviews over the years reveal how often Ive returns to one word: intention. His musings on how we relate to technology, and how it should make us feel, suggest a level of thinking that's becoming increasingly rare in an industry chasing speed over soul. When reports first surfaced that Ive and Altman were working on 'a new hardware for the age of AI,' many seasoned tech watchers had a mixed reaction, equal parts excitement and cautious scepticism. Here's the issue: the AI hardware market today is caught in an awkward in-between. On one side, you have rushed 'AI phone killers' that amount to little more than plastic shells running ChatGPT. On the other, you have AI software that lives trapped inside the iPhone ecosystem, unable to fully express what it could do if it had native hardware control. This leaves a massive gap, an opportunity, for something new. A device that's designed, from the ground up, to be intelligent. Not smart in the smartphone sense, but perceptive, ambient, and useful in the way a true assistant might be. The kind of thing only someone like Jony Ive could dream up, and only someone like Sam Altman could bankroll without expecting a return for years. There's little doubt Ive has been quietly contemplating this challenge in his various design studios, considering not just how an AI device would look, but what it should do. And now he has what most designers can only dream of: essentially unlimited funding, time, and access to one of the most powerful AI companies on the planet. If this collaboration yields what it promises, a thoughtfully designed, genuinely useful AI companion, it won't just be a new product category. It might be the first piece of hardware since the iPhone to feel like a meaningful step forward. And if that's the case, then yes, Jobs probably would be proud.
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why is Super Junior's Kyuhyun facing backlash from The Devil's Plan Season 2 viewers? Fans call out his 'victim play'
Super Junior's Kyuhyun is currently facing a wave of backlash online following his recent actions on Netflix's high-stakes reality show The Devil's Plan. He was initially celebrated for his sharp mind and calm personality. However, the singer's shift in behavior throughout the show has left a sour impression on many viewers. Some are now calling his strategy calculated, dishonest, and lacking in sincerity. When The Devil's Plan premiered, Kyuhyun quickly emerged as one of the more promising contestants. His early victories in puzzle-based challenges and his composed social demeanor earned him praise across social media and online forums. Many admired him for his logical thinking and seemed to view him as a strong contender for the ultimate title. However, as the competition grew fiercer, Kyuhyun 's gameplay allegedly took a drastic turn. What once appeared to be a clever strategy now seems, to some viewers, more like 'manipulation.' Instead of focusing on the intellectual challenges, Kyuhyun began relying more heavily on strategic alliances: forming groups, shifting loyalties, and leveraging influence to eliminate stronger players. Such tactics are not uncommon in survival-based games. But fans argued that his moves lacked consistency and undermined the show's intended focus on intellect and fair competition. Several viewers criticized the idol for 'playing politics' rather than puzzles. A recurring sentiment among netizens is that Kyuhyun's approach prioritizes social dominance over brainpower. This is contrary to what the show aims to celebrate. Many pointed to specific instances where Kyuhyun would team up with certain players for mutual benefit, only to betray them late. They described it as a cold and opportunistic manner. Another point of controversy has been his interactions with fellow contestant and actress Kang Ji Young. Viewers claimed Kyuhyun's tone in several conversations with her came off as condescending, abrupt, and unnecessarily aggressive. This added fuel to the fire. Many felt that his conduct crossed the line of healthy competition and bordered on disrespect. Online communities have since been filled with critical commentary. Some fans expressed disappointment. They had expected more integrity and logic-based performance from Kyuhyun, especially given his early potential. Others expressed concern that the singer's onscreen persona on The Devil's Plan could damage his public image beyond the show. The show is directed by veteran producer Jung Jong Yeon. He is known for masterminding shows like The Genius, The Great Escape, and Girls' High School Mystery Class. The Devil's Plan brings together contestants from various walks of life. They include celebrities, scholars, and online personalities. Over the course of seven days, they live together and compete in games designed to test mental strength, logic, and social strategy. The winner is crowned the ultimate brain among them.
Edinburgh Live
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Wu-Tang Clan fans stunned as they discover how band got their name
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The name Wu-Tang Clan is instantly recognisable to any hip-hop enthusiast. With iconic tracks like 'C.R. E.A.M.' and 'Protect Ya Neck', their music is as integral to the genre as classics by Biggie or Tupac. However, despite their three-decade legacy, some newer fans may not know the origin of the Wu-Tang Clan moniker - or what the group was almost named. The story begins in Staten Island, New York, in the late '80s when three cousins - Robert Diggs, Gary Grice and Russell Jones - decided to form a rap trio, reports the Mirror US. They initially called themselves Force of the Imperial Master, a name that seems more suited to a sci-fi film marathon than the hip hop scene. The trio also went by the All in Together Now Crew - another name that's hard to associate with the group. At this point, Diggs was known as Prince Rakeem, Grice went by The Genius, and Jones performed as The Specialist. They gained respect in the underground scene, and by 1991, both The Genius and Prince Rakeem had signed solo deals. The Genius released Words from the Genius on Cold Chillin' Records, and Rakeem put out Ooh I Love You Rakeem on Tommy Boy. Neither release made much impact, and the labels dropped them. This led to a rebrand: Rakeem became RZA, The Genius became GZA, The Specialist became Ol' Dirty Bastard. And in 1992, with the addition of Staten Island's Dennis Coles (soon to be known as Ghostface Killah), they laid the groundwork for something far greater. Wu-Tang Clan. The name Wu-Tang Clan took inspiration from the 1983 martial arts classic 'Shaolin and Wu Tang', featuring Gordon Liu, capturing the story of a lethal clash between two kung fu schools. RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard, who had a penchant for kung fu cinema, found the filmic link fitting. Yet, the collective didn't just settle on the name; they took it further by creating backronyms in quintessential '90s rap style. Some of the standout interpretations included: "We Usually Take All N****s' Garments', 'Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game", and "Wisdom of the Universe, and the Truth of Allah for the Nation of the Gods." Their 1993 breakthrough album 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' redefined the East Coast hip hop landscape. By 1997, their sophomore effort 'Wu-Tang Forever' soared to No.1 on the Billboard 200 and snagged a Grammy nod for Best Rap Album. "We reinvented the way hip hop was structured," asserted RZA. The band's success allowed each member freedom of movement within the industry. Whether it was Meth joining Def Jam, Rae sticking with Loud, Ghost signing with Sony, GZA linking up with Geffen—all still credited 'Razor Sharp Records. ' The Wu-Tang brand had become a formidable force in the music business.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Wu-Tang Clan fans only just realising where their name comes from
The name Wu-Tang Clan is instantly recognisable to any hip-hop enthusiast. With hits like 'C.R. E.A.M.' and 'Protect Ya Neck', their music is as integral to the genre as iconic tracks by Biggie or Tupac. However, despite their three-decade-long legacy, some newer fans may not know the origin of the Wu-Tang Clan moniker - or what the group was nearly named. The story begins in Staten Island, New York, in the late '80s when three cousins - Robert Diggs, Gary Grice and Russell Jones - decided to form a rap trio, reports the Mirror US. They initially called themselves Force of the Imperial Master, a name that seems more suited to a science fiction film marathon than the hip hop scene. The trio also went by the All in Together Now Crew - another name that's hard to associate with the group. At this point, Diggs was known as Prince Rakeem, Grice performed under The Genius, and Jones was The Specialist. They gained respect in the underground scene, and by 1991, both The Genius and Prince Rakeem had secured solo deals. Wu-Tang Clan's story began in the late 1980s (Image: PA) The Genius released Words from the Genius on Cold Chillin' Records, and Rakeem put out Ooh I Love You Rakeem on Tommy Boy. Neither release made much impact, and the labels dropped them. This led to a rebrand: Rakeem became RZA, The Genius transformed into GZA, The Specialist became Ol' Dirty Bastard. And in 1992, with the addition of Staten Island's Dennis Coles (soon to be known as Ghostface Killah), they laid the groundwork for something much bigger. Wu-Tang Clan. The name was plucked straight from a cult classic - the 1983 martial arts flick Shaolin and Wu Tang, featuring Gordon Liu and showcasing the lethal rivalry between two kung fu schools. RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard had a thing for kung fu movies, so the filmic nod was bang on. But the crew didn't just settle on the moniker. In peak '90s hip-hop style, they began crafting backronyms to match it. Some of the standout interpretations included: "We Usually Take All N****s' Garments", "Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game" and "Wisdom of the Universe, and the Truth of Allah for the Nation of the Gods." Come 1993, they dropped Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - an album that turned the East Coast rap scene on its head. Fast forward to 1997, and Wu-Tang Forever was topping the Billboard 200 and snagging a Grammy nod for Best Rap Album. "We reinvented the way hip hop was structured," RZA once said. "We still could negotiate with any label we wanted... Meth went with Def Jam, Rae stayed with Loud, Ghost went with Sony, GZA went with Geffen. And all these labels still put 'Razor Sharp Records' on the credits. Wu-Tang was a financial movement."
