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Yoon Doojoon and Kwak Sun Young Join Brave Detectives for Season 5
HITKULTR
March 10, 2026
E Channel's hit crime variety program Brave Detectives (용감한 형사들) is getting a major shake-up. Season 5 premieres March 27, 2026 at 9:50 PM KST with HIGHLIGHT's Yoon Doojoon (윤두준) and actress Kwak Sun Young (곽선영) stepping in as new MCs, while longtime hosts Lee Yi-kyung (이이경) and Kim Sun Young (김선영) exit the show.
The New Lineup
Yoon Doojoon brings both idol credibility and acting chops to the hosting table. Beyond his work with HIGHLIGHT, Doojoon has built a solid acting career with dramas like Splash Splash Love and the Let's Eat franchise. Kwak Sun Young, fresh off her acclaimed performance in tvN's Brain Works (2023), adds dramatic gravitas to the panel.
They'll join returning hosts Ahn Jung Hwan (안정환), the former national team footballer turned TV personality, and criminal profiler Kwon Il Yong. Together, they'll continue the show's format of featuring real detectives sharing investigation stories from actual cases they've solved.
Why Lee Yi-kyung Is Out
Lee Yi-kyung's departure comes after months of uncertainty following a personal life controversy that erupted in October 2025. At the time, allegations involving private messages surfaced online, leading the production team to temporarily bench him from Season 4 while the situation developed.
According to Starnews Korea, Lee filed legal complaints including defamation charges, and his agency Screening ENT announced legal measures against false information. However, with the allegations still unresolved, the production ultimately decided to move forward without him for Season 5.
Lee had been with the show since its debut in April 2022, making his departure a significant change for loyal viewers. Kim Sun Young also exits after multiple seasons.
What Makes Brave Detectives Work
Since launching in 2022, Brave Detectives has carved out a unique space in Korean variety television. Unlike scripted crime dramas, the show features actual detectives recounting real cases they've worked, offering viewers an unfiltered look at investigative processes and the human stories behind criminal cases.
The format has proven durable, with the show accumulating over 531 million YouTube views across its seasons according to Chosun. That kind of engagement speaks to an audience hungry for true crime content delivered through the Korean variety lens.
What's Next
Brave Detectives 5 premieres Thursday, March 27, 2026 at 9:50 PM KST on E Channel. With the new hosting combination of Doojoon's idol energy, Kwak's dramatic sensibility, Ahn's veteran presence, and Kwon's professional expertise, the show is positioned to keep its momentum going into the new season.
