n this episode, we uncover one of the most disturbing chapters in television history—a reality show that crossed ethical boundaries and turned human suffering into entertainment.

This episode explores the shocking history of the 1990s Japanese reality series Susunu! Denpa Shōnen, a show infamous for its extreme and sadistic treatment of its contestants. At the center of the controversy is Nasubi, an aspiring comedian who was deceived into participating in an experiment that would strip him of privacy, dignity, and basic human needs.

Nasubi was unknowingly filmed 24 hours a day for 15 months, forced to live in total isolation, completely naked, and survive solely by entering magazine sweepstakes to win food, clothing, and shelter. As his physical health deteriorated and his mental state visibly declined, the show’s popularity skyrocketed, attracting millions of viewers who watched his starvation and loneliness as entertainment.

Even after Nasubi reached the financial goal that was supposed to end the experiment, producers manipulated him into continuing—this time in South Korea—further exploiting his suffering for ratings and profit.

Through this story, the episode examines not only the cruelty of the entertainment industry, but also the collective ethical failure of an audience willing to normalize and reward the systematic dehumanization of another human being.

Nasubi survived—but the questions raised by this experiment remain unresolved. How far is too far for entertainment, and what responsibility do audiences bear for the content they consume? Join us next time as we continue examining the darker side of media and power.

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