{
  "id": 6769076,
  "title": "Stars of Korea's beloved 'Infinite Challenge' reveal panic, sleepless nights behind the laughs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/stars-of-koreas-beloved-infinite-challenge-reveal-panic-sleepless",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T15:37:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20260912/stars-of-koreas-beloved-infinite-challenge-reveal-panic-sleepless-nights-behind-the-laughs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MBC's Infinite Challenge was a beloved South Korean variety show that brought laughter to viewers for years. However, former cast members reveal the immense psychological pressure they experienced behind the scenes. Haha revealed that the stress of filming became so severe that he believes he may have experienced panic disorder. This revelation comes after Jung Hyung-don and Jung Joon-ha also spoke about their struggles with anxiety, sleepless nights, and the emotional toll of consistently delivering laughs every week. On KBS 2TV's Boss in the Mirror on September 6, Haha discussed how popularity is not something he can control, as viewers' reactions are what matter most. He recounted feeling his heart pounding from Tuesday evening in the weeks leading up to the weekly Infinite Challenge shoots.",
  "summary": "MBC's \"Infinite Challenge\" was one of South Korea's most beloved variety shows, making viewers laugh week after week during its long run. But years after the show ended, several of its best-known cast members are revealing the intense psychological pressure they endured behind the scenes. Haha recently said the stress of filming the hit program became so severe that, looking back, he believes he…",
  "key_points": [
    "Former cast members reveal psychological pressure behind Infinite Challenge laughs",
    "Haha, Jung Hyung-don, and Jung Joon-ha discuss anxiety and sleepless nights",
    "Popularity on show is beyond control, reactions matter most"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Stars of Korea's beloved 'Infinite Challenge' reveal panic, sleepless nights behind the laughs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/stars-of-koreas-beloved-infinite-challenge-reveal-panic-sleepless-6770937",
        "published": "2026-09-11T16:02:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}