Invincible Youth

Invincible Youth
Genre	Reality television
Starring	See below
Voices of	Sunny (episodes 1–31) Goo Ha-ra (episodes 31–58)
Opening theme	Ready, Get Set, Go! by Peppertones Rockstar by Hannah Montana
Ending theme	All About You by McFly
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language(s)	Korean
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	104
Production
Executive producer(s)	Kim Ho-sang
Production location(s)	Yuchi-ri, Nam-Myeon, Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, South Korea (Season 1) Daebu Island, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea (Season 2)
Camera setup	Multi-camera setup
Running time	60-70 minutes
Release
Original network	Korean Broadcasting System
Picture format	480i (NTSC) (Season 1) 1080i (HDTV) (Season 2)
Original release	October 23, 2009 (2009-10-23) – November 17, 2012 (2012-11-17)

Invincible Youth (Hangul: 청춘불패; hanja: 靑春不敗; RR: Cheongchun bulpae) is a South Korean variety show which aired its first season on KBS2 from October 23, 2009 to December 24, 2010. Season 1 featured seven girls (collectively known as G7) from K-pop idol groups wherein they experience how it is to live and survive in the Korean rural outdoors. It started its second season on November 12, 2011 featuring eight girls.

Background

Season 1

Episode #	Guests	Summary
1	None	The members are woken up and driven to Idol Village. The members gather in their new home where they meet each other and establish rules for their village. The members put on a performance for the rest of the village before being assigned various farming tasks. Narsha & Hyomin are assigned to pick beans, Sunny & Sunhwa are assigned to clean a hen house, and Yuri, Hyuna & Hara are assigned to build a latrine. After completing their tasks, the members gather in their home and make phone calls to their family members.
2	None	The members compete in a talent contest to determine which members will be completing which tasks. Narsha & Hyuna are assigned to collect Ginko nuts, Yuri is assigned to pick peppers, and Sunny, Hara, Sunhwa & Hyomin are assigned to build a hen house and a fence. The members come together at their home to eat dinner and to make phone calls to their families.
3	None	The members continuing making phone calls from the last episode and then go to sleep. Sunhwa, Narsha, Hyomin & Yuri are assigned with apple picking and Hara, Hyuna & Sunny are assigned with fixing their fence, burying kimchi pots and getting food for the G7 supper.
4	None	The members present the items they will be bartering with to get food at the market. The members are tasked with selling apples at the market to see who the most popular member is. The members then gather at their home to eat dinner.
5	None	The episode starts with Yuri leading the other members in a yoga session. The members then participate in a legging splitting contest to see who can stretch out the farthest. The members make kimchi with the women of the village and then deliver kimchi to the elders of the village. The members then gather at their home to talk about their experiences visiting other parts of the village.
6	Minho (SHINee)	The members visit Road Lee to help him pick fermented beans. Minho picks his ideal girl from G7 and helps the members with the fermented beans. Sunny, Hara & Minho pick mudfish to make soup for the group's dinner. Hara, Hyomin & Sunny babysit an infant and help the child fall asleep.
7	None	The members receive a calf for their village and learn how to take care of it. Narsha, Sunhwa & Yuri deliver a television to an elder who Narsha had previously befriended. Sunny, Hyomin & Hara are assigned to build a stable for the calf and Narsha, Sunhwa & Yuri are assigned to plant garlic. The members compete in a quiz. to determine who owns the calf which Sunny wins. The members then visit various homes in the village to help students complete their homework.
8	None	Yuri completes her second yoga class. The members receive their first hen and guide it into the new hen house. Yuri, Hyuna, Sunhwa & Narsha are assigned with making tofu and Sunny, Hyomin & Hara are assigned to make steamed buns. The members gather in their home to eat the steamed buns and to play a game to assign members to make bean sprouts.
18	Nicole (KARA)

The first season of the show involved Korean entertainers meeting weekly to work and learn about farming in a Yuchi-ri village in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province in South Korea. This involved both agricultural work, interacting with members of an aging rural community, and competing in challenges involving agrarian or domestic tasks. As the show's popularity grew, the cast and crew began work to make their filming location a sustainable site for agritourism, enter produce in food competition, and promote environmentally conscious farming. Some of the products were sold within the local community, to the general public, or distributed as gifts.

The G7 girls initially included Narsha of Brown Eyed Girls, Sunhwa of Secret, Hyuna of 4Minute, Hyomin of T-ara, Sunny and Yuri of Girls' Generation, and Hara of Kara.

On Friday, May 14, 2010, the PD of the show Kim Ho-sang announced that Sunny, Yuri, and Hyuna would be leaving the show due to scheduling conflicts with their respective groups' overseas promotions. Their replacements were decided through private auditions with members of other K-pop girl groups.

On May 30, it was confirmed that After School's Jooyeon, f(x)’s Victoria and Kim Sori will become the three new members of G7 on Invincible Youth. Kim Jong-min (of Koyote) also became a semi-permanent member for a month under the moniker of being a "Variety show mentor" for the new members.

On the August 27th episode, it was announced that Kim Tae-woo will be taking a temporary leave of absence due to a surgery he is to receive for his throat. He vowed to come back to the show as soon as he makes a full recovery. Starting episode 44, Song Eun-yi filled in as a semi-permanent MC in Kim Tae-woo's absence. On December 8, 2010, it was revealed that Invincible Youth finished recording their finale episode. They had filmed for over one year, since October 2009.

In an interview with Star News on December 10, production director (PD) Kim Sang-ho said, "We're not discontinuing the show because of low viewer ratings. There has been a lot of conflicting schedules due to girl groups like KARA expanding their activities overseas. It was difficult to take out some of the fixed members, so we decided to end season one for now. There’s a lot of trust being placed on the worth of the Invincible Youth brand. After discussions with other producers, everyone agreed to end season one and go ahead with season two next year."

Season 1 Slogan: 청춘은 지지 않는다~ 청춘~ 불패 (Youth Don't Lose! Invincible Youth!)

Season 2

Executive producer (CP) Kim Ho-sang told Star News on August 31 that the second season will take place in a fishing village in Daebu Island, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.

G8 members included Girls' Generation's Sunny and Hyoyeon, Amber (f(x)), Suzy (miss A), Bora (Sistar), Yewon (Jewelry), Ko Woo-ri (Rainbow), Jiyoung (Kara). Lee Soo-geun, Ji Hyun-woo and Boom served as MC's. Sunny is the only returning member from Season 1, although Hyoyeon, Jiyoung and Bora were guests during the previous season.

The first episode of Invincible Youth 2 premiered on November 12, 2011 in South Korea, while the international premiere on KBS World was on December 2, 2011.

Prior to the airing of the April 7th episode, multiple news reports were released confirming that cast members Lee Soo-geun, Ji Hyun-woo, Amber and Woori will be leaving the show. Season 1 cast member Kim Shin-young returned as an MC starting from the April 14th episode.

It was then later revealed that Sunny would also be leaving the show. As she was the only member from season 1, they agreed that she would stay on with season 2 until the program became somewhat stable. She left the show after the July 7th episode. Comedian Lee Young Ja was cast afterwards, starting with the July 21st episode.

Invincible Youth 2 stopped airing in mid-November due to scheduling conflicts with the cast members as well as low ratings. The final episode was filmed November 7 and aired on November 17th.

Season 2 Slogan: 청춘이여 영원하라! 청춘~ 불패 (Youth is Forever! Invincible Youth!)

Invincible Youth members

Season 1

Hosts

Cast (Hangul)	Date	Nicknames	Notes
Nam Hee-suk (남희석)	23 October 2009 – 12 December 2009	Nam MC Uncle Hee-suk	Left for personal reasons
Noh Joo-hyun (노주현)	23 October 2009 – 24 December 2010	Village Chief
Kim Tae-woo (김태우)	23 October 2009 – 24 December 2010	Bear Tae-woo	Went on temporary leave after episode 44 in order to undergo throat surgery
Kim Shin-young (김신영)	23 October 2009 – 24 December 2010	Pig (Don) Chef Korea's Famous Comedian
Song Eun-yi (송은이)	10 September 2010 – 24 December 2010	Song Senior	Temporary replacement for Kim Tae-woo

G7 members

Cast (Hangul)	Date	Nicknames	Group
Narsha (나르샤/박효진)	23 October 2009 – 24 December 2010	Adult-Dol Reusha Hyojin Miss Laminate	Brown Eyed Girls
Hyomin (효민/박선영)	23 October 2009 – 24 December 2010	Folding Screen CEO (Completely Edited Out) Wall flower Naming Master	T-ara
Sunhwa (한선화)	23 October 2009 – 24 December 2010	White Paper Wet Feet Girl Blank Sunhwa Airhead Sunhwa	Secret
Hara (구하라)	23 October 2009 – 24 December 2010	Haragoo Goossain Bolt Stealthy Hara Quick-Mouth Hara	Kara
Sunny (써니/이순규)	23 October 2009 – 11 June 2010	Soonkyu Gag-dol	Girls' Generation
Yuri (권유리)	23 October 2009 – 11 June 2010	Class-President Yul Yoochi-ri Village's Daughter in Law	Girls' Generation
Hyuna (김현아)	23 October 2009 – 11 June 2010	Maknae Producer Kim Jing Jing (Whiny) Hyuna	4Minute
Kim Sori (김소리)	18 June 2010 – 24 December 2010	Vein Sori, Sona Lisa	Solo Artist
Victoria (빅토리아/송치엔/宋茜)	18 June 2010 – 24 December 2010	Wu Lin Girl Censor Vic	f(x)
Jooyeon (이주연)	18 June 2010 – 24 December 2010	Clumsy Jooyeon Dead Weight (Jim) Jooyeon	After School

Season 2

Hosts

Cast (Hangul)	Date	Nicknames	Notes
Boom (붐)	12 November 2011—17 November 2012	Min-ho Gotta Get That
Ji Hyun-woo (지현우)	12 November 2011—7 April 2012	Hyung-tae
Lee Soo-geun (이수근)	12 November 2011—7 April 2012	Uncle Soo-geun Lee Soo-geun 2NE1
Kim Shin-young (김신영)	14 April 2012—17 November 2012	44 Shin-young
Lee Young-ja (이영자)	21 July 2012—17 November 2012	Mom (Eomma)

G8 members

Cast (Hangul)	Date	Nicknames	Group
Hyoyeon (김효연)	12 November 2011—17 November 2012	Hyoding (Kid Hyoyeon) Yoghurt Ajumma Sancho Breaky Breakomaneci	Girls' Generation
Yewon (김예원)	12 November 2011—17 November 2012	Laminate Ducushong U-Go-Girl Fish Market Aunty Chitty Chitty	Jewelry
Bora (윤보라)	12 November 2011—17 November 2012	Bosain Bolt Nacho Ggamanova Boraski Alba Lucky Icon	Sistar
Jiyoung (강지영)	12 November 2011—17 November 2012	Jigoo Am-Tell Girl Dacushong	Kara
Suzy (배수지)	12 November 2011—17 November 2012	Nation's First Love Giant Maknae Jobless Him Suzy King Feet 285mm from Gwangju Bacushong	miss A
Ko Woo-ri (고우리)	12 November 2011—7 April 2012	Granny	Rainbow
Amber (엠버/유일운/劉逸雲)	12 November 2011—7 April 2012	Eunyoung Terminator The Rising Star in Farming	f(x)
Sunny (써니/이순규)	12 November 2011—7 July 2012	Soonkyu 60' Sunny Louisoddong	Girls' Generation

List of special guests

Season 1

Episode Number	Airdate	Guest stars	Notes
Episode 6	November 29, 2009	Minho (SHINee)
Episode 10	December 25, 2009	Go Se-won Park Hwi-sun Son Hoyoung (g.o.d) Onew (SHINee) Im Seulong (2AM) Heo Kyung-hwan	Christmas Special
Episode 18	February 19, 2010	Heechul (Super Junior) B2ST Yeon Jung-hoon Lee Kye-in Nicole Jung (Kara) Hyoyeon (Girls' Generation)
Episode 19	February 26, 2010	Roh Yoo-min Shindong (Super Junior)	Replaced Kim Tae-woo who held a concert in the United States
Episode 20	March 5, 2010	Lee Kye-in	Episode also featured the cast from the documentary Old Partner
Episode 22	March 19, 2010	Sooyoung (Girls' Generation)	Replaced Yuri who could not participate due the swine influenza
Episode 23	March 26, 2010	Sooyoung (Girls' Generation) Koo Jun-yup Ock Joo-hyun
Episode 24	April 9, 2010	Koo Jun-yup
Episode 26	April 30, 2010	Ham Eunjung (T-ara) Kim Jong-min (Koyote)	Ham Eunjung replaced Hara who did not appear due to Kara's sponsorship promotions in Thailand
Episode 27	May 7, 2010	Lee Joon (MBLAQ) Jeong Jun-ha
Episode 29	May 21, 2010	Cast Gag Concert	Referred to as "Gag 7" in reference to "G7"
Episode 30	May 28, 2010	Cast Gag Concert	Referred to as "Gag 7" in reference to "G7"
Episode 36	July 9, 2010	Secret Shin Ji (Koyote)	Surprise guests for G7's Special Army Concert
Episode 37	July 16, 2010	Sunny	Special invitation for G7's trip to Japan
Episode 38	July 23, 2010	Sunny	Special invitation for G7's trip to Japan
Episode 39	July 30, 2010	Chung Myung-hoon Go Joo-won
Episode 40	August 6, 2010	MBLAQ
Episode 41	August 13, 2010	MBLAQ Jiyeon (T-ara) Lee Seok-hoon (SG Wannabe) Park Hyun-bin	Summer Vacation Special
Episode 42	August 20, 2010	Yuri	Special invitation for G7's Farm Products Exhibition
Episode 43	August 27, 2010	2PM Lizzy (After School) JeA (Brown Eyed Girls)	Replacing Hara and Victoria who were absent due to their respective group's promotions in Japan
Episode 44	September 10, 2010	Karam (The Boss) Kim Young-chul Song Euni
Episode 48	October 8, 2010	Park Gwang-hyun
Episode 51	October 29, 2010	Sunny Hyuna Go Joo-won Lee Kye-in Chung Myung-hoon Kim Tae-woo	1 Year Anniversary Special, Part 1
Episode 52	November 5, 2010	Luna, Sulli, Krystal (f(x)) Song Jieun (Secret) Kang Jiyoung (Kara)	1 Year Anniversary Special, Part 2
Episode 53	October 8, 2010	Bora (Sistar)
Episode 54	November 26, 2010	Bora (Sistar)	Replacing Hara and Narsha who were absent due to their respective group's promotions in Japan
Episode 55	December 3, 2010	Taemin (SHINee)	Replacing Victoria
Episode 58 (Finale)	December 24, 2010	Kim Tae-woo	Surprise Appearance

Season 2

Episode Number	Airdate	Guest stars	Notes
Episode 9	January 15, 2012	Im Ha-ryong
Episode 12	February 25, 2012	Song Dae-kwan Tae Jin-ah	Missing Sunny and Hyoyeon due to Girls' Generation's promotions in America
Episode 17	March 31, 2012	2AM
Episode 19	April 14, 2012	Choi Hong-man	Kim Shin-young debut and missing Jiyoung but appear later in the show
Episode 20	April 20, 2012	Shinhwa
Episode 21	April 27, 2012	Jung Yong-hwa, Lee Jung-shin (CNBLUE)	Missing Jiyoung
Episode 22	May 5, 2012	Jung Yong-hwa, Lee Jung-shin (CNBLUE) Taeyeon (Girls' Generation) Narsha (Brown Eyed Girls)	Replacing Bora and Suzy
Episode 23	May 12, 2012	Gong Hyung-jin	Missing Jiyoung but appear later in the show
Episode 24	May 19, 2012	Sung Min (Super Junior)
Episode 25	May 26, 2012	Park Sang-myun Hyuna, Sohyun (4minute)	Missing Jiyoung
Episode 26	June 2, 2012	Andy (Shinhwa) L (Infinite) Lee Hyun-woo Baek Sung-hyun Kang Kyun-sung Park Hwi-sun	Missing Sunny, Hyoyeon, Bora, Jiyoung
Episode 27	June 9, 2012	Joo Sang-wook In Gyo-jin Hyomin (T-ara) Sunhwa (Secret)	Missing Sunny and Hyoyeon but they appear later in the show
Episode 28	June 16, 2012	Jo Min-ki Son Byong-ho
Episode 29	June 23, 2012	Kang Dong-ho Kang Ji-sub Goo Ha-ra (Kara)	Replacing Bora who did not appear due to Sistar's music video shooting in Hawaii (Hara), Dano Special
Episode 30	June 30, 2012	Baek Ji-young
Episode 31	July 7, 2012	Jo Kwon (2AM) Lee Joon (MBLAQ) Hwang Kwanghee (ZE:A)	Sunny farewell
Episode 33	July 28, 2012	Wooyoung (2PM)
Episode 37	September 1, 2012	B2ST	Initially missing Hyoyeon but she appears later in the show
Episode 38	September 8, 2012	Chung Hoon Cho Jun-Go Song Dae-Nam Kim Jae-Bum (2012 South Korea Judo Olympic Team)
Episode 44	November 3, 2012	Taru Salminen Abigail Cancian Brownwyn Mullen Bianca Mobley (Global Talk Show)	Missing Jiyoung

Music

Season 1: During Season 1, a short clip of "I Can Do Better" by Avril Lavigne is played at the start of each episode. "Rockstar" by Miley Cyrus was used as an opening theme for a number of early episodes. A medley of songs by the American rock group Journey performed by the cast of the American television show Glee was used to open several of the final episodes. The ending theme of every episode is a track titled "All About You" by an English pop rock group named Mcfly.

Season 2: During Season 2 the ending theme for episode 1 through to episode 7 is "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. In subsequent episodes, the ending theme is "I Will" by The Beatles. After the cast change, it has since been replaced with promotions for PVs.

External links

• Invincible Youth official KBS website (Korean)
• Invincible Youth at KBS World
• Invincible Youth at KBS America VOD Service