Kim Kyung-ran Reflects on Reunion with The Genius Legends in Blood Game Season 3
Kim Kyung-ran has shared her thoughts on reuniting with legendary members Hong Jin-ho and Jang Dong-min from The Genius after a decade, during her participation in the ongoing Wavve original variety show Blood Game Season 3. On December 18, she met with the press at Wavve's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, alongside fellow cast members Lee Ji-na and Si-yoon, as well as producer Hyun Jeong-wan, to discuss the show.
Before Blood Game Season 3, Kim Kyung-ran showcased her skills alongside Hong Jin-ho in the 2013 tvN variety show The Genius. Their success led to her returning in 2015 for The Genius: Grand Final, where she also teamed up with Jang Dong-min, a winner from another season. The anticipation for Blood Game Season 3 was high, as it brought together Kim Kyung-ran, Hong Jin-ho, and Jang Dong-min, all of whom had made their mark in The Genius.
In a notable moment during Blood Game Season 3, the trio reunited in a match where Hong Jin-ho represented the ruins, Jang Dong-min represented paradise, and Kim Kyung-ran represented the mansion.
Kim Kyung-ran expressed her gratitude, stating, "Participating in Blood Game 3 was the most thankful time for me. It was a bit stifling in the mansion, and we had a match-down match, but the reunion felt surreal, even if it was brief. I was so happy, and my heart raced. I realized that they are excellent players, and I needed to stay focused, regardless of the outcome. I wanted to compete properly, whether I won or lost."
Producer Hyun Jeong-wan remarked on the unexpected trio dynamic, noting, "I didn’t know about the three-person structure. The participants chose it themselves," to which Si-yoon added, "There was absolutely no producer intervention."
Kim Kyung-ran further elaborated on the challenges faced by the mansion team, saying, "We were exhausted and had differing opinions on how to proceed in the team match. I simply told my teammates to choose the rounds they wanted to play comfortably. I ended up in the fourth round."
Si-yoon mentioned their different selection strategy, stating, "We chose based on which rounds would be most impactful. With the former Genius members together, everyone considered the rounds crucial for determining the winner. Jang Dong-min remained cautious because of Kim Kyung-ran's presence."
Kim Kyung-ran laughed, saying, "We didn’t think of it that way, which is why I chose the fourth round last. I felt it was fate to face off against Jang Dong-min and Hong Jin-ho."
(Continued in Interview 3.)
