Kang Ho Dong Shockingly Steps Down After 8 Years 

Kang Ho Dong has stepped down from The Great Escape after eight years with the show.

The new season lineup for the popular tvN and TVING adventure variety show has been revealed, and fans noticed one major change. Kang Ho Dong, who has been part of the series since Season 1, will not be returning.

The upcoming season, scheduled to premiere on TVING in the second half of 2026, will feature returning members Yoo Byung Jae, Kim Dong Hyun, and Go Kyung Pyo.

Original cast members Kim Jong Min and Shindong (who previously left the show) will also return.

SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan has joined the cast as a new member, while Yeo Jin Goo will not be returning.

대탈출이 돌아옵니다,
원년 멤버, 그리고 뉴페이스와 함께.

티빙 오리지널 <대탈출> 새 시즌
2026년 하반기 TVING 공개#TVING #티빙 #티빙오리지널 #대탈출 #김종민 #김동현 #신동 #유병재 #고경표 #승관 pic.twitter.com/y9xRBfQb8S

— TVING 티빙 (@tvingdotcom) August 5, 2026

As one of the original members, Kang Ho Dong played the role of the group’s “eldest brother” throughout the series. Following his departure, he shared a message of support for the new season.

Every moment of The Great Escape was a great source of joy and happiness for me. I believe that this season’s members and juniors, who have even greater imagination and wisdom than I, will do their best to help The Great Escape succeed. Lastly, I want to remind everyone that there is always a clue somewhere.

— Kang Ho Dong

The Great Escape first premiered on tvN in 2018 and became known for its large-scale sets, detailed storylines, and unique world-building. The show ran for four seasons before returning last year as TVING’s original series The Great Escape: The Story, expanding its universe on a larger scale.

Fans have expressed surprise over Kang Ho Dong leaving the show, especially since he had been part of it since the beginning.