Wavve's original survival variety show 'The Genius: Blood Game X' has teased full-scale checks and survival competition among the contestants ahead of its semi-final, with only 8 players remaining.

In episode 9 of 'The Genius: Blood Game X,' set to be released on the 21st at 11 a.m., the game proceeds with only 8 of the original 20 players surviving. Among them, only 4 will earn the right to advance to the final match.

The eight players who made it to the semi-final are Jung Keun-woo, YunB, Hyun Sung-joo, Hong Jinho, Choi Hye-seon, Heo Seong-beom, Kang Ji-hoo, and Shin Seung-yong. Each analyzed the state of the game and expressed firm determination.

A notable point is the checks directed at the Hong Jinho-Heo Seong-beom alliance. Hyun Sung-joo and Shin Seung-yong warned that if team-based play is reintroduced, the combination of Hong Jinho and Heo Seong-beom would be very powerful and could put them at a disadvantage. They made their intention to check the pair clear, saying, "The Kong-Seongbeom duo is dangerous."

Choi Hye-seon, who came from the same team, also named Hong Jinho and Heo Seong-beom as the players to watch out for most in the semi-final. In response, the two stated, "Quite a lot of players are still left, so let's hold our lead and make it to the finals," adding, "We need to be on ultra-high alert from now on," showing their strong will to reach the finals.

Kang Ji-hoo, mentioning his earlier experience of forming a minority alliance with Shin Seung-yong and Kwak Beom, said he hopes this semi-final becomes a situation where a minority alliance can also beat a majority alliance. He emphasized his resolve, saying, "I will fight to the end."

Before the game began in earnest, as the eight players entered the main hall and a 'race game board' appeared, Hong Jinho assessed, "Overtaking, chasing, checking... it's a game where alliances are needed even though it's an individual match."

Meanwhile, 'The Genius: Blood Game X' has ranked first in both new paid subscriptions and viewing time on Wavve for 7 consecutive weeks since its release. It also took its fifth overall first place in the TV-OTT non-drama buzz category on Good Data Corporation's 'FUNdex Chart' for the second week of August, and continues to hold the top spot in both the OTT original non-drama and Video Online Network (VON) categories.

Episode 9 of Wavve's original 'The Genius: Blood Game X' will be released exclusively on Wavve on the 21st at 11 a.m.