The Devil's Plan 2 Finale Controversy: Jung Hyun-gyu's Victory Sparks Heated Debate Among Fans

The Dramatic Three-Part Finale That Divided Fans

The Devil's Plan 2 reached its explosive conclusion on May 20, 2025, with the final three episodes delivering intense psychological warfare that left viewers deeply divided. Jung Hyun-gyu emerged as the ultimate winner, claiming the massive 380 million KRW prize after defeating Yoon So-hui in a nail-biting finale. However, his victory has become one of the most controversial endings in Korean reality TV history.

The finale episodes showcased the remaining contestants battling through increasingly complex games, with alliances crumbling and betrayals reaching their peak. Episode 10 began with Choi Hyun-joon's shocking betrayal of his longtime ally Jung Hyun-gyu, switching sides to join Son Eun-yu, 7high, and Kang Ji-yeong. This strategic move was designed to isolate Hyun-gyu, but it backfired when Kyuhyun and Yoon So-hui decided to support the isolated player.

The tension escalated when the group targeted Kyuhyun despite their agreement to play neutrally, leading to his elimination and setting the stage for the controversial moments that would follow. Hyun-gyu's surprise revelation of his 10 golden puzzle pieces from the Hidden Stage completely shifted the power dynamics, allowing him to secure his position in the better living quarters and advance toward the finale.

Jung Hyun-gyu's Strategic Masterclass and Victory Path

Jung Hyun-gyu's journey to victory was marked by calculated moves and strategic brilliance that impressed viewers while simultaneously drawing criticism. Throughout the season, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor, never fully trusting anyone and always keeping a solo plan running in the background. This approach proved crucial as alliances around him crumbled.

The final showdown between Hyun-gyu and So-hui consisted of three intense games: Big-Small, Bagh Chal, and Questions and Truth. In the first game, a card-based betting match, So-hui initially held the upper hand, but Hyun-gyu staged a remarkable comeback to win by a single point in round 18. The second game, Bagh Chal - a traditional Nepalese board game featuring tigers and goats - saw So-hui take the victory after Hyun-gyu made a crucial mistake.

The decisive third round, Questions and Truth, became the most thrilling moment of the entire season. Both players engaged in a psychological battle, repeatedly betting two coins as they tried to guess each other's cards. So-hui, believing she had a 50% chance of success, gave Hyun-gyu the opportunity to make his guess. Unfortunately for her, he was correct, securing his victory and the title of The Devil's Plan 2 champion.

The Prison System Controversy That Sparked Outrage

One of the most heavily criticized aspects of The Devil's Plan 2 was the prison division system, which viewers deemed fundamentally unfair and poorly designed. The mechanic split contestants into different living conditions, creating what many fans described as an uneven playing field that favored certain players from the beginning.

Prisoners faced harsh conditions, with one contestant reportedly losing 3.6kg in just one week due to limited food consisting only of bread, milk, and porridge. They were forced to play twice daily, with each game risking elimination, while their physical, emotional, and mental states deteriorated compared to their counterparts in the better living quarters.

The lack of meaningful rewards for prison game victories particularly frustrated viewers. Despite some of the season's most intense and fair matches occurring in the death room, winning these games only provided minimal benefits, making it nearly impossible for prisoners to improve their standing. This created a stagnant dynamic where the initial division essentially predetermined the final outcome, leading many to describe the season as predictable and boring.

Kyuhyun's Moral Dilemma and Viral Controversy

Super Junior's Kyuhyun became an unexpected lightning rod for controversy during the finale episodes, particularly following a heated exchange with Kang Ji-young in episode 10. The viral clip showed Kyuhyun expressing guilt about his gameplay decisions, stating he would be angry at himself even if he won because it wasn't the way he wanted to play.

Kang Ji-young confronted Kyuhyun about his perceived hypocrisy, questioning why he suddenly felt righteous after participating in the elimination of contestants like Lee Se-dol and Justin. Her pointed remarks about the majority consistently targeting individuals struck a nerve with viewers, who were divided on whether her criticism was justified or unfair.

The controversy intensified on social media, with fans taking sides in heated debates. Some praised Ji-young for standing her ground and calling out what they saw as selective morality, while others defended Kyuhyun, arguing that he was genuinely conflicted about the game's moral implications. The backlash became so intense that Kyuhyun was forced to address the criticism in a fan community post following the finale.

Viewer Reactions: A Season That Disappointed Long-Time Fans

The Devil's Plan 2 finale left many long-time fans of the series deeply disappointed, with widespread criticism focusing on the show's structure, execution, and perceived unfairness. Viewers flooded social media platforms with complaints about the season's predictability, arguing that the outcome was essentially determined from the first episode due to the flawed prison system.

Many fans compared the second season unfavorably to the first, expressing frustration over the shift from strategic individual gameplay to group-centric politics. Comments like 'Season 1 is much more bearable to watch' and 'How did they fumble the second season so badly' became common refrains among disappointed viewers.

The criticism extended beyond the game mechanics to the contestants themselves, with some viewers expressing frustration over what they perceived as self-righteous behavior and lack of genuine competitive spirit. However, others defended the show and its participants, arguing that the hate and threats directed at contestants crossed acceptable lines for what was ultimately just a game show.

Production Issues and Format Flaws That Undermined the Competition

Critics identified numerous production and format issues that significantly impacted the quality of The Devil's Plan 2. The most prominent complaint centered on the lack of comeback mechanisms, which made the competition feel one-dimensional and removed the excitement of potential upsets that characterized the first season.

The introduction of hidden rules and perceived lack of transparency also drew sharp criticism from viewers who felt the production team manipulated outcomes rather than allowing pure strategic gameplay to determine results. Many pointed to the timing of certain rule revelations and advantages as evidence of production interference.

The main games themselves received mixed reviews, with some being praised for their complexity while others were criticized as poorly designed or irrelevant to the overall competition. The disconnect between the intensity of prison games and their minimal impact on the overall standings particularly frustrated viewers who wanted to see fair competition rather than predetermined outcomes.

Global Impact and Netflix Success Despite Controversy

Despite the intense backlash and criticism, The Devil's Plan 2 achieved significant commercial success on Netflix, ranking ninth globally in non-English TV content and securing a top position in Netflix Korea's variety show rankings. This disconnect between critical reception and viewership numbers highlighted the complex relationship between controversy and engagement in reality television.

The international audience's reaction mirrored the domestic response, with global fans expressing similar frustrations about the season's structure and outcomes. However, the show's ability to generate passionate discussions and debates, even negative ones, demonstrated its continued cultural impact and relevance in the competitive reality TV landscape.

The controversy surrounding The Devil's Plan 2 has sparked broader discussions about the ethics of reality TV production, the responsibility of producers to ensure fair competition, and the impact of social media backlash on contestants' mental health. As the dust settles on this polarizing season, it remains to be seen whether the franchise can recover from the criticism and deliver a more satisfying experience in potential future installments.