Overview
MMA star Choo Sung-hoon leaves the cage behind to host a talk show. Get ready for candid conversations and fun challenges as he bonds with his guests.
Seasons
- Status
- Returning Series
- Seasons
- 2 seasons
- Episodes
- 30 episodes
- First aired
- Feb 26, 2025
Reviews
4 min readThe Octagon Meets the Green Room
I’ll admit it: I wasn’t expecting to care about a talk show hosted by an MMA fighter. The premise of Try? Choo-ry!—former cage warrior Choo Sung-hoon swapping bloodstains for banter—sounded like a gimmick, the kind of high-concept pitch that fizzles after one episode.
But somewhere between the awkward silences and the sudden bursts of physical comedy, I found myself leaning in. Not because the show is polished (it isn’t), or because the format reinvents the wheel (it doesn’t), but because Choo’s transition from fighter to host reveals something messy and human about the way we perform for each other—whether in a ring or under studio lights.
The first thing you notice is how little Choo resembles a traditional talk show host. He doesn’t glide across the stage with the practiced ease of a Graham Norton or the effortless charm of a Korean variety veteran. Instead, he lumbers.
His posture is a fighter’s—shoulders slightly hunched, as if bracing for impact—and his laughter erupts in sudden, unfiltered bursts, like a man who’s spent years being told to keep his guard up and is only now remembering how to drop it. This isn’t a criticism. In fact, it’s the show’s greatest strength.
Choo’s physicality, the way his body still carries the memory of combat, becomes a kind of visual shorthand for the series’ central tension: Can a man trained to destroy his opponents learn to disarm them instead?
The answer, predictably, is yes and no. The format of Try? Choo-ry! is a familiar one—celebrity guest, casual chat, a game or challenge to break the ice—but the execution is where things get interesting.
Take the episode with SEVENTEEN’s The8 and Joshua. The segment starts with Choo attempting (and failing) to keep up with the idols’ rapid-fire Korean, his face contorting into exaggerated confusion as they tease him. It’s a moment that could’ve been cringe, but Choo leans into the awkwardness, turning it into a bit.
Audience Opinions
"A refreshing and entertaining talk show led by a charismatic host with a unique background in MMA."
Viewers appreciate the candid and fun atmosphere created by Choo Sung-hoon, whose transition from MMA to hosting brings a fresh perspective to the talk show format. The mix of conversations and challenges keeps the show engaging, though some note it may not appeal to those outside the MMA or sports-entertainment crowd. latestnetflix.com's take is that Early feedback highlights the host’s ability to connect with guests and audiences alike.
- Charismatic host Choo Sung-hoon’s background and personality make the show feel authentic and engaging.
- Candid conversations The unscripted and genuine interactions between the host and guests stand out.
- Fun challenges The inclusion of lighthearted challenges adds variety and keeps the show dynamic.
- Unique premise The blend of MMA and talk show elements offers something different from typical variety programs.
- Niche appeal Those unfamiliar with MMA or sports entertainment may find the content less relatable.
- Early episodes Some feel the show is still finding its footing in the initial episodes.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsMMA Star Choo Sung-hoon Swaps the Cage for the Mic in Netflix’s "Try? Choo-ry!"
The octagon’s loss is Netflix’s gain. Former MMA fighter Choo Sung-hoon—known for his high-octane brawls and larger-than-life persona—has traded in his gloves for a talk show host’s chair in Try? Choo-ry!, a 2025 Korean series blending food, comedy, and unfiltered celebrity chats. The show marks a bold pivot for the athlete, latestnetflix.com contends, who’s now tasked with dishing out laughs instead of knockouts.
From Fighter to Funny Man
Choo Sung-hoon’s transition from combat sports to entertainment isn’t entirely new—he’s dabbled in variety shows before—but Try? Choo-ry! is his first solo hosting gig. The series, which premiered on February 26, 2025, and wrapped its 18-episode run in June, positions him as the centerpiece of a format that’s equal parts talk show and challenge-based comedy 
. The native title, 추라이 추라이 (roughly translating to "Try? Choo-ry!"), hints at the show’s playful, experimental vibe, though details about its structure remain scarce.
What’s clear is that Choo isn’t just reading off cue cards. The show’s premise—per TMDB—promises "candid conversations and fun challenges" as he bonds with guests, suggesting a mix of raw interviews and lighthearted games . Given his background, it’s easy to imagine the challenges leaning into physical humor or competitive antics, though Netflix hasn’t confirmed specifics.
A-List Guests and K-Pop Royalty
If the guest list is any indication, Try? Choo-ry! is aiming for star power. Snippets from MyDramaList reveal appearances by K-pop heavyweights like Big Bang, TVXQ, (G)I-DLE, and SEVENTEEN, alongside veteran girl group Baby V.O.X . The eclectic mix—spanning second-gen idols to fourth-gen acts—suggests Choo’s appeal cuts across generations, a rare feat in Korea’s segmented entertainment landscape.
The inclusion of SEVENTEEN, one of the biggest boy bands in the world, is particularly notable. Their global fanbase could give the show an international boost, though it’s unclear if their episode(s) will feature the full group or select members. Meanwhile, TVXQ’s presence—nearly two decades into their career—hints at the show’s nostalgic draw, possibly targeting older millennials who grew up with the duo’s early hits.
What’s Next for Choo’s Talk Show Experiment?
With Try? Choo-ry! now off the air, the question is whether Netflix will renew it for a second season. The platform has a history of greenlighting Korean variety shows with niche appeal (see: BTS In the SOOP), but Choo’s show lacks the built-in fandom of a K-pop group. Its success may hinge on how well it balances his MMA charm with the polished production values of a Netflix original.
Rumors about behind-the-scenes dynamics are nonexistent—unsurprising given the tight-lipped nature of Korean entertainment—but the show’s short runtime (18 minutes per episode) suggests a fast-paced, snackable format designed for binge-watching . Whether that’s enough to sustain viewer interest remains to be seen.
For now, Try? Choo-ry! stands as a curious experiment: a talk show helmed by an athlete, packed with A-list guests, and banking on the unpredictable chemistry of its host. If Choo can land a few viral moments—think Running Man-style chaos or a tearful confession from a K-pop idol—the show might just carve out its own lane.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.