Among the different genres of variety shows in South Korea, there's always one to your liking. However, among many comedy reality-variety shows, The Great Escape is one of the few that employs the concept of an escape room, if not being the one and only. The variety show is starred by the members Kang Ho Dong, Kim Jong Min, Kim Dong Hyun, Yoo Byung Jae, Shindong, and P.O.

The Great Escape is a large-scale escape room-themed variety show where the members need to use the clues in the room to gradually explore the large secret room until all members escape from the location. During the first season, there is no stipulated time limit for each escape challenge; it will only end when all members and non-player story characters (if any) have successfully escaped. 

From the second season until the most recent fourth season, there is a possibility of failure to escape, and the recording of the challenge ends once it happens. Another added change is that there is a possibility that cast member(s) would get eliminated in the midst of escaping, based on situations such as being "dead" or "missing" during the attempt.

The variety show also incorporates the concept of a cinematic universe within the show, the first of its kind in the industry. Called the Daetalchul Universe or DTCU, the show had four recurring themes: Zombie, Ghost, Secret Security Association, and Time Machine. However, there are several episodes that steer away from the universes that are equally challenging and sometimes even as interesting despite being stand-alone episodes. Here are some of these stand-alone episodes that you must watch!

1. Private Gambling Hall (Season 1, Episode 1-2)

This is the first-ever episode, and you can clearly see their naivety regarding escape rooms on a large scale and set for variety shows. They discover the various areas hidden from the small room they were locked in and reach the game room, where they have to escape through all means possible. Despite small mistakes and clear rookie experience regarding variety shows in this format, the members show moments of brightness and an opportunity to grow more.

2. Korea Genome Bank (Season 1, Episode 5-6)

The members undergo an examination where they expect the genome bank to acquire various information from them, including their DNA. As their various traits are observed and analyzed, they discover more about the genome bank that has been hiding. They also find out a surprising mixture of all their traits that they will need to save while trying to escape.

3. Bunker (Season 1, Episode 9-10)

The members have to find the story character Jang Dong Min, who has clues tattooed on his body but without any memory about how to get out of the bunker. After going through multiple arithmetics passwords and playing games in the arcade in order to reach the important room, they discover the story behind Jang Dong Min and the bunker. After their usually competitive escape, the members finally find their places and built teamwork together.

4. Buamdong Residence (Season 2, Episode 3-4)

This is the first episode where the members have been delivered in different areas, a huge escape set instead of an escape room. Two of their members, P.O. and Kim Jong Min, have been kidnapped, and the rest of the members have to save them while discovering the secrets of the Buamdong Residence. The members set on a much more challenging journey while learning more about the Red Eyes Syndrome that surrounded the story in the episode.

5. Mugan Prison (Season 2, Episode 5-6)

Connected to the Buamdong Residence episode, the members are now accused of robbery, and the members are all imprisoned for committing the crime. As they enter the prison, they learn that the only way they can escape is by finding out the whereabouts of Jang Jang Bal. While finding for Jang Jang Bal, they realize more about the prison and if it is indeed possible to escape a prison despite the extreme security.

6. Murder Prison (Season 2, Episode 11-12)

In one of the most legendary episodes of the whole The Great Escape show throughout the seasons, the members are joined by the members of Problematic Men. Inspired by the concept of a parallel universe and the drama series Signal, where the members of The Great Escape are set in the past, where the members of Problematic Men are in the future, only connected by the walkie-talkie. They learn about the serial killing and attempt to escape their most dangerous escape to date, with a killer on their tails.

7. Achaland (Season 3, Episode 7-8)

The members are sent to a huge theme park where they discover a series of killings without knowing what is the mystery behind it or the reason for it. They set on a journey all over the whole theme park to learn more about the killings and follow the trails to discover more pieces of evidence and clues to the killings and about the murderer. They also face the struggle of having to escape the area while catching the killer and leaving the area unscathed alongside the victim.

8. Luckyland (Season 4, Episode 3-4)

The members are sent to a gambling area where all illegal proceedings happen and discover that the gambling area is not what they originally thought it was. They discover the stories behind Luckyland and meet an artificial intelligence robot who reveals that everyone inside the area is a robot, including them. It is up to the members to learn the truth regarding this and experience the narrowest escape of their lives as time keeps on ticking.

9. Crazy House (Season 4, Episode 7-8)

In the last episode which can stand alone without a complete understanding of the Daetalchul Universe, the members are sent into the subconscious of a psychopath. They were instructed by the doctors and scientists to be wary while they enter the subconscious, as it can collapse anytime soon. Inside the psychopath's subconscious, they play a dangerous board game named Crazy House, with the goal of running away from the so-called Death. Brace yourselves as they play with the game and discover the reality within the subconscious and attempt to escape it before it finally collapses.

To avid viewers, which among the episodes would you suggest to a first-time viewer, and which among these episodes is your favorite?