The new history-tracking entertainment show 'Time Tracker Sherlock' captivated viewers from its first broadcast by unraveling the hottest recent international affairs through a historical approach.
'Time Tracker Sherlock,' which premiered on SBS Plus on the 14th, reexamined the backstory of the US-Iran conflict. Tracing back to ancient Persia, the birthplace of Iran, the show introduced the achievements of King Cyrus the Great, then systematically explained the background of the two nations becoming sworn enemies by highlighting modern history turning points such as the CIA's 'Operation Ajax' and the 'Iran hostage crisis at the US Embassy in Tehran.' The broadcast recorded a household viewership rating of 0.7% and a target viewership rating of 0.4%, gaining favorable response.
At the center of the historical talk was main MC Jang Hang-joon. Jang Hang-joon drew a comparison, saying "King Cyrus the Great seems like a combination of Korea's Gwanggaeto the Great and King Sejong," and regarding Iran's 'Strait of Hormuz' blockade strategy, he summed it up as "feeling like a game of chicken," leading the broadcast stably with questions tailored to viewers' level and sharp analysis.
The activities of MCs Bong Tae-gyu, Shin A-young, and Sunkim also stood out. Bong Tae-gyu displayed witty remarks, saying of Alexander the Great, who was fascinated by Persian culture, "he was into Persian interior design," while Shin A-young, with a broad perspective befitting her background as a Harvard history graduate, sharply pointed out cases of American intervention in foreign governments. Sunkim sparked interest by unveiling various historical behind-the-scenes stories.
The support from special guests and experts also shined. Actor Lee Sang-yeop, as a holder of the Korean History Proficiency Exam Grade 1, shared Persian culture that spread throughout Unified Silla, and commentary from Middle East expert Professor Park Hyun-do and 'Miss Iran' model Hoda Niku added depth. In particular, Hoda Niku drew attention by revealing the heartfelt sentiments of Iranian citizens toward the current situation, saying "if the money and energy spent on fighting neighboring countries were used for the people, they would live better."
'Time Tracker Sherlock' broke the prejudice that historical entertainment is difficult by presenting international affairs through the flow of history in an easy-to-understand manner. It airs every Tuesday at 10:30 PM on SBS Plus.
