MMTG (YouTube series)
| MMTG | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Web series / Variety show |
| Presented by | Jaejae |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| Production | |
| Production company | SBS Mobidic |
| Original release | |
| Network | YouTube |
| Release | February 15, 2018 – present |
MMTG (Korean: 문명특급) is a South Korean web variety series produced by SBS Mobidic and hosted by Jaejae. The program, aired since 2018, features interviews with K-pop idols, actors, and public figures, along with themed segments such as "Civilization Express Rediscovery", which revisits past pop culture content. Since its launch, the show has contributed to the resurgence of several songs and trends within Korean popular culture.
Format
MMTG features a flexible interview-based format, with MC Jaejae conducting conversations with figures from various sectors of Korean popular culture, including K-pop idols, actors, and cultural creatives.[1] Recurring segments include "Civilization Express Rediscovery", in which Jaejae and her guests revisit older pop culture works or hit songs.[2]
History
The program originally began as Civilization Express (문명특급) under SBS’s digital news lab division.[3] In early 2024, the show rebranded to MMTG.[2] One example of a major project under this new format was the "2009 Classic Song Championship" (2009 명곡 챔피언십), which invited K-pop fans from over 24 countries to vote on the best songs of 2009.[2] The "2009 Championship" was later aired on SBS TV, indicating the show's growing influence.[1] Another notable project was a series of episodes documenting the formation of the mixed-gender group JaeJae × Gabi × Seungheon (also known as JaesBee)and their journey of making music together.[4] The "JaeJae × Gabi × Seungheon" series ended after 16 episodes in December 2024.[5]
Impact
MMTG has played a significant role in bringing renewed attention to older K-pop hits, helping revive songs and creating new cultural conversations around them.[6] In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea,[7] MMTG hosted virtual concerts featuring performances by soloists and groups that had previously been inactive or disbanded for years, including U-KISS, T-ara, SS501, Nine Muses, After School, and 2PM.[8][9] The "2009 Classic Song Championship" is another notable episode for drawing a global audience to celebrate the second generation of K-pop.[2]
The show has also proven its cultural reach by blending digital and traditional media: its YouTube-first content has been adapted to television on SBS, bridging new media and legacy broadcast spaces.[1] Through the "JaeJae × Gabi × Seungheon" project, MMTG has engaged in real-world music production, turning its talk-show platform into a content-driven music incubator.[4]
Notable episodes
- 2020 Hidden Gems Concert – A Chuseok special featuring performances of "Bbi Ri Bba Bba" (삐리빠빠) by Narsha, "Don't Spray Perfume" by Teen Top, "Man Man Ha Ni" by U-KISS's Soohyun and Kevin, U-KISS's "Loud" by Teen Top, Soohyun, and Kevin (known as TeenKiss), "Roly-Poly" and "Sexy Love" by T-ara, and "U R Man" by SS501.[8]
- 2021 "Songs that Deserve a Comeback" Concert – An episode featuring performances of "Dolls" by Nine Muses, "View" by Shinee, Gain's "Carnival" and VIXX's "Chained Up" by Jaejae, "Closer" by Oh My Girl, "Bang!" and "Diva" by After School, and "My House" by 2PM.[9] Following the concert, several of the songs performed reclimbed various domestic music charts.
- 2009 Classic Song Championship – An episode featuring 24 countries’ K-pop fans voting for top songs from 2009.[2]
- Interview with cast of Wicked – In November 2024, Jaejae travelled to Australia to interview Wicked cast members Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum.[10]
- JaeJae × Gabi × Seungheon Finale – The 16th and final episode of this mixed-gender group’s journey, marking the end of the "JaesBee" project.[11]
Reception
Media outlets have praised MMTG for its unique blend of nostalgia, global engagement, and meaningful interviews.[2] The show’s "2009 Classic Song Championship" in particular received attention for its scale and emotional resonance among international K-pop fans.[1] Additionally, the "JaesBee" project was noted in the press for being ambitious despite relatively low production budgets, a testament to the community-driven nature of MMTG.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d 강선애 (2024-02-01). "재재X수영 MMTG '2009 명곡 챔피언십', 유튜브→전격 TV 편성". Daum. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ a b c d e f 조민정 (2024-02-01). "문명특급 재재X수영, 24개국 글로벌 팬들과 '2009년도 히트곡' 부흥". Sports Chosun. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ 정희연 (2024-01-23). "'문명특급'→'MMTG'으로 재단장…'살아봤으면 해' 첫 출연자는 투어스". Donga.com. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ a b c 이승훈 (2024-08-03). "재재·가비·승헌쓰, 혼성 그룹 전격 데뷔.. "제작비 300만원"". StarNews. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ 이소정 (2024-12-06). ""이대로 정말 끝 재쓰비, 활동 4개월 만에 아쉬운 이별"". Daum. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ 김, 유경 (2020-12-10). "20-30대, 유튜브 오분순삭·문명특급·숨듣명 등서 과거 예능프로·노래 심취" [People in their 20s and 30s are engrossed in past variety shows and songs on YouTube channels such as *O-Minute Snippets*, *Civilization Express*, and *Hidden Gems*.]. CIVICNEWS. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ 민, 경원 (2020-09-28). "추석 TV까지 꿰찬 문명특급 "90년대생이 만든 복고는 다르다"" [Civilization Express Takes Over Chuseok TV: “Retro Created by the 90s Generation Is Different”]. 중앙일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ a b Seoul, SBS 뉴스 (2020-10-03). "[스브스夜] '숨듣명 콘서트' SS501 'U R MAN'→티아라 'Sexy Love'…"더 이상 숨어서 듣지 마"" [[SBS Night] 'Hidden Gems Concert' SS501 'UR MAN' → T-ara 'Sexy Love'… "Don't listen in secret anymore"]. SBS NEWS (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ a b "문명특급 컴눈명 스페셜, 2030 추억 소환 '화제성 올킬'" [Civilization Express Keomnunmyeong Special, Evoking Nostalgia for 20-30s, 'Dominates Hot Topics']. 스포츠Q. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ^ 텐아시아 (2024-11-15). "아리아나 그란데 "한국 김, 5분 만에 해치울 수 있어"…재재 선물에 감탄". TenAsia. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ 이진주 (2024-12-06). "'재쓰비' 재재X승헌쓰X가비, "예를 갖춰야 한다" 끝인사!?". bntnews.co.kr. Retrieved 2025-11-18.