Those Who Cross the Line


Those Who Cross the Line is a South Korean television entertainment program and televised on MBC.
Season 1 is shown on every Friday, starting 30 March and ended on 14 September 2018.
Season 2 is shown on every Saturday, starting 16 February and ended on 23 March 2019.
Season 3 is shown on every Sunday, starting 18 August 2019.

Overview

Season 1

The program is a 20 episode series program that compares and contrasts different histories, cultures, and arts as if they resemble the two nations facing the border. It is a new concept that takes away from everyday life that can only be felt locally to a unique history. The program was originally a 16 episodes series but got extended due to its popularity.

Season 2

The second season, Those who cross the line - Korean Peninsula, is a 6 episode series program that compares and contrasts on the history of Korean Peninsula and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of March 1st Movement and Provisional Government. This second season is based on the success of the first season and Seol Min-seok's wishes to visit/cross the Military Demarcation Line as mentioned in the opening premier of the Season 2 when the five cast members met. Before visiting the MDL, the cast will learn about the history of Korean Peninsula, particularly on the topics on "Those who tried to protect their borders" from history teacher, Seol Min-seok and invited guests.

Season 3

The third season, Those who cross the line - Returns, is the continuation with the success of the Season 2 and is to visit the hidden historical sites all over the South Korea. The excitement is the journey to find the true story that cannot learn from history books. Furthermore, it is expected that we will make a meaningful move that draws together the stories of yesterday, today, and tomorrow that we have not known yet. In addition, invited guests will visit each historical site to make the Korean history exploration more enriching and enjoyable.

Airtime

Cast

Season 1

NameEpisodeRef/Notes
Kim Gu-raEp. 120
:ko:설민석|Seol Min-seokEp. 120
Lee Si-youngEp. 116Lee exited from the show after episode 16, as the original filming of the program was for 16 episodes, and she is filming for her new show. Due to the popularity, the program got extended as explained in episode 17 by Kim Gu-ra.

Season 2

NameEpisodeRef/Notes
Jun Hyun-MooEp. 16
:ko:설민석|Seol Min-seokEp. 16
Moon Geun-youngEp. 16
Yoo Byung-jaeEp. 16
Daniel LindemannEp. 16

Season 3

NameEpisodeRef/Notes
Jun Hyun-MooEp. 1present
:ko:설민석|Seol Min-seokEp. 1present
Yoo Byung-jaeEp. 1present
Kim Jong-min Ep. 1present

Episodes

Season 1

Season 2

Episode #Original Airdate DateLocation/Place visitedHistorical EventsSpecial GuestRef/Notes
116 February 2019Ganghwa Island
  • :ko:광성보|Gwangseongbo Fortress
  • :ko:강화 삼랑성|Samrang Fortress
  • Ganghwa Peace Observatory
1871 Korean CampaignFrench Campaign against Korea, 1866
1884 Gapsin Coup
223 February 2019Ganghwa County
  • Yeunsangun's house of exile
  • Gyodong Island
First Literati Purge of 1498Second Literati Purge of 1504
Jungjong coup in 1506
Kim Young-okKim Young-ok talk about her personal experiences in Korea under Japanese rule, Korean War and
family reunion with her eldest brother whom she has not seen for 50 years
since the start of Korean War.
223 February 2019Jeju Island
  • Samseonghyeol Shrine
  • :ko:연북정|Yeonbukjeong
  • Jocheon Monument Street
Donghak Peasant RevolutionAll the five cast members are together for the first time since the premier opening of the show.
32 March 2019Jeju Island
  • :ko:송악산 |Mount Songak
  • :ko:제주 셋알오름 일제 동굴진지|Japanese-made Cave Encampment at Sesaloleum
  • Alddreu Airfield
  • Socotra Rock
  • :ko:산방산|Mount Sanbangsan
  • Jeongbang Waterfall
  • Beopjeongsa MovementJeju uprising
    Hendrick Hamel in the Joseon Korea
    Go Doo-shim
    49 March 2019Jeju Island
    • Jeongbang Waterfall
    • Yeongmowon
    Jeju uprising
    49 March 2019Tokyo, Japan
  • The Classic house at Asakasa Prince
  • Hibiya Park
  • Ichigaya Prison
  • Triple InterventionFebruary 8th Declaration of Independence
    Sakuradamon Incident
    Kantō Massacre
    Choi Hee-seo
    516 March 2019Tokyo, Japan
    • Tokyo Station
    Five Eulsa TraitorsSeven Jeongmi Traitors
    8 pro-Japanese Traitors
    516 March 2019Kyoto, Japan
    • Koryo Museum of Art
    • Doshisha University - Yun Dong-ju Memorial
    • Yodo River
    Era of Imperialistic Cultural Cleansing
    516 March 2019South Korea
  • Cheorwon County
  • 623 March 2019Cheorwon County
  • Igrl-ri
  • Labor Party Headquarter
  • :ko:백마고지역|Baengmagoji Station
  • Korean Demilitarized Zone
  • *Civilian Control Line
  • **Southern Limit Line
  • *Arrow Head Ridge Guard Post
  • *Military Demarcation Line
  • Korean War
  • Battle of Inchon
  • Hungnam evacuation
  • Third Battle of Seoul
  • :ko:화살머리고지 전투 |Battle of Arrow Head Ridge
  • :ko:김지윤 |Kim Ji-yoon
    Episode #Original Airdate DateLocation/Place visitedHistorical EventsSpecial GuestRef/Notes

    Season 3

    Ratings

    In the ratings below, the highest rating for the show will be in and the lowest rating for the show will be in.

    Season 1

    Season 2

    The show will be aired in two parts. Only the higher rating of the episode will be shown.

    Season 3

    The show will be aired in two parts. Only the higher rating of the episode will be shown.
    EpisodeBroadcast DateAGB Nielsen
    118 August 20194.4%
    225 August 2019
    31 September 20193.0%
    48 September 20194.6%
    515 September 20194.1%
    622 September 20193.9%
    729 September 20194.5%
    86 October 20194.7%
    913 October 20194.6%
    1020 October 20195.5%
    1127 October 20193.9%
    123 November 20194.8%
    1310 November 20194.2%
    1417 November 20196.6%
    1524 November 20195.6%
    161 December 20196.3%
    178 December 20193.5%
    1815 December 20193.0%
    1922 December 20193.1%

    EpisodeBroadcast DateAGB Nielsen
    205 January 20204.2%
    2112 January 20203.6%
    2219 January 20204.1%
    232 February 20203.8%
    249 February 20203.2%
    2516 February 2020
    2623 February 20203.0%
    271 March 20203.6%
    288 March 20203.6%
    2915 March 20202.9%
    3022 March 20204.1%
    3129 March 20204.1%
    325 April 20206.2%
    3312 April 20205.4%
    3419 April 2020
    3526 April 20205.8%
    363 May 20205.5%
    3710 May 20205.7%
    3817 May 20205.7%

    EpisodeBroadcast DateAGB Nielsen
    3924 May 20205.0%
    4031 May 20204.2%
    417 June 20204.6%
    4214 June 20204.4%
    4321 June 20204.6%
    4428 June 20204.5%
    455 July 20205.2%
    4612 July 20205.4%
    4719 July 20204.9%
    4826 July 20204.7%
    492 August 2020%

    Awards and nominations

    Controversy

    Season 1

    Jordanian Image Mistake

    On 11 June 2018, the production crew of MBC "선을 넘는 녀석들" wrote in the official Instagram that some Jordanian-Israel-Palestine editions broadcast on Friday, 8 June, have pointed out that "the part that used the image of Muhammad as a prophet of Islam and the part that used the rock dome together with the flag of a certain country". The production crew has issued an official apology, in both Korean and English version, for telling people of particular religions and views.