Sponge (TV program)
{{Short description|South Korean variety show}}
{{Distinguish|SpongeBob SquarePants}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| alt_name = Sponge 2.0
Sponge 0
| native_name = {{Infobox Korean television name|hangul=스펀지|rr= Seupeonji}}
| director = Lee Hwang-sun
| presenter = Lee Hwi-jae
Kim Kyung-ran
| country = South Korea
| language = Korean
| producer = Lee Hwang-sun
| runtime = Approx. 60 minutes per episode
| network = KBS2
| first_aired = {{Start date|2003|11|08}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2012|9|21}}
}}
Sponge ({{langx|ko|스펀지}}) is a South Korean television show that aired on KBS2 from November 8, 2003, to September 21, 2012.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-09-23 |title='스펀지' 종영 "소재고갈로 9년만에 폐비 " 아쉬워 |url=http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20120923000007 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=헤럴드경제 |trans-website=Herald Corporation |language=ko |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180925/http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20120923000007 |url-status=live }} The show is an infotainment program that deals with factoids and trivia, and tests and proves (or disproves) pieces of knowledge.{{Cite web |date=2005-09-30 |title=[방송]KBS 지식 발전소 '스펀지' 10월1일 100회 맞는다 |url=https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20050930/8233260/1 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The Dong-a Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180925/https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20050930/8233260/1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Chun |first=Su Jin |date=2007-03-19 |title=[TV review]'Knowledge' is in the eye of the beholder |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2007/03/19/artsDesign/TV-reviewKnowledge-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/2873574.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180922/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2007/03/19/artsDesign/TV-reviewKnowledge-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/2873574.html |url-status=live }} Facts are usually submitted by viewers, though sometimes the TV station finds facts on their own. In 2007, the program was rebooted as Sponge 2.0 and shifted its focus to useful and necessary knowledge for a general audience.{{Cite web |date=2008-05-11 |title=골리앗 '무한도전'에 맞서는 다윗 '스펀지' |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0001955336 |access-date=2023-11-08 |publisher=OSEN |language=ko |via=Naver |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180924/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0001955336 |url-status=live }} It was rebooted again and renamed Sponge 0 in 2010 but returned to its original name in March 2012.{{Cite web |date=2012-09-21 |title='스펀지' 마지막회 소재고갈로 종영 '범죄 대처법 소개하고 굿바이' |url=https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201209212206112410 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Newsen |language=ko |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180923/https://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201209212206112410 |url-status=live }}
Sponge saw popularity among young audiences; at the peak of its fame, some elementary schools incorporated it into their homework. It was adapted into a book series, the first 3 copies of which sold over 200,000 copies.{{Cite web |title=KBS'스펀지' 방송 100회 맞아 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/001/0001108244 |access-date=2023-11-08 |publisher=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |via=Naver |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180924/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/001/0001108244 |url-status=live }} The show was runner-up for the 2005 Asian Television Awards' Best Infotainment Program prize,{{Cite web |last=Francisco |first=Butch |title=More Asian Television Awards |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2005/12/24/313518/more-asian-television-awards |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=2023-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521131143/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2005/12/24/313518/more-asian-television-awards |url-status=live }} and it reached the finals at the 2007 Rose d'Or.{{Cite web |title=KBS '스펀지' 골든로즈상 본선 진출 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/001/0001588221 |access-date=2023-11-08 |publisher=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |via=Naver |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180924/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/001/0001588221 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2007-08-27 |title=KBS '스펀지' 9월 1일 200회 방송 |url=http://www.pdjournal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=13663 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=PD Journal |language=ko |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180924/http://www.pdjournal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=13663 |url-status=live }} Sponge ended its 9-year run in 2012 on account of topic exhaustion.{{Cite web |last= |date=2012-08-22 |title=KBS '스펀지', 소재고갈 등으로 '폐지수순'..'내마오' 편성 |url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/08/22/2012082201801.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The Chosun Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180926/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/08/22/2012082201801.html |url-status=live }}
Hosts
The show had two hosts: Kim Kyung-ran and Lee Hwi-jae. Additionally each week a panel of celebrities is present.
=Former hosts=
- 1st: Hwang Soo-gyeong
- 2nd: Kim Kyung-ran
- 3rd: Goh Min-jeong
All of them (from the list) are the KBS announcers.
Format
Each piece of trivia is introduced as a sentence with a blank missing. A panel of guests including singers, comedians, and actors then attempt to fill in the missing blank.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-08-13 |title=[발견 이채널] KBS 2TV ‘스펀지' |url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2003/12/12/2003121270269.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The Chosun Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180924/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2003/12/12/2003121270269.html |url-status=live }} After the guests make their guesses, the answer is revealed, and proof is offered to show how the piece of trivia is true.
Following the video evidence, a panel of 50 judges votes on how interesting the particular piece of trivia was, rating it on a scale of one to five stars. For people that submitted items that received five stars, a cash prize of 1,000,000 won is awarded.
However, the new version, Sponge 2.0, has a different format. Instead of viewers submitting items, professionals from specific fields appear on set to provide intriguing and interesting facts, which are presented with video footage. Instead of 50 judges, the show invites 100 people who usually assist in on-stage polls and demonstrations. The panel of celebrities remains.
The original version of Sponge ended with the week's top internet searches on Naver. In Sponge 2.0, episodes end with a way to develop and stimulate the brain.
Plagiarism accusations
Following Sponge
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20040205024205/http://www.kbs.co.kr/2tv/enter/sponge/ Official website] (in Korean)
Category:Korean Broadcasting System original programming
Category:2003 South Korean television series debuts
Category:2010s South Korean television series
Category:Korean-language television shows