Kang Ho-dong Leaves 'The Escape' After 8 Years, Welcomes New Talent

Kang Ho-dong has officially announced his departure from 'The Escape' after an impressive eight-year run. The show, which debuted on tvN in 2018 and has aired four successful seasons, is renowned for its elaborate sets, compelling narratives, and unique conceptual world, setting a new standard for the escape room genre in entertainment.

In a transition marked by significant evolution, 'The Escape' recently expanded its scale through last year's The Escape: The Story, a TiBing original that continued to build on the franchise's strong foundation. The next season is slated for release in the second half of 2026 on TiBing, with familiar faces like Yoo Byung-jae, Kim Dong-hyun, and Ko Kyung-pyo returning. Notably, original members Kim Jong-min and Shin Dong will also be back, but fans will have to bid farewell to last season's Yeon Jung-gu.

What truly stands out is the absence of Kang Ho-dong, who was there since the inaugural season. He expressed optimism for the show’s future, saying, "Every moment on 'The Escape' has been a great joy and happiness for me. I believe that my colleagues and juniors, who possess even greater imagination and wisdom, will give their best to ensure the success of 'The Escape.'"

Kang Ho-dong passed along warm encouragement to his successors, stating, "I want to remind you that 'there is definitely a clue to be found, no matter where you are.'" With this transition, 'The Escape' seems set to embark on a promising new journey while honoring the legacy of its beloved former host.