Soon-to-air reality program “Society Game” observes contestants divided into two “societies” -- one a democracy, the other a dictatorship -- as they compete in a physically and psychologically draining fight for survival.

The show is cable channel tvN’s ambitious new project, co-created with global format distribution company Endemol Shine Group, an Amsterdam-based firm that previously rolled out popular shows “Big Brother,” “The Biggest Loser” and “MasterChef.”

The show’s focus is to observe “unfabricated human nature and displays of raw emotion,” said its producer Jeong Jong-yeon at a press conference in western Seoul on Wednesday.

Twenty-two contestants of diverse professions -- among them a female mixed martial arts fighter, university students, models, and a party planner -- are divided into two “villages” and holed up in a circular, Panopticon-like set with minimal amenities for two weeks.

The first team elects a leader by popular vote every day, while the second team’s all-dominant ruler can only be overthrown via rebellion. The two teams compete with each other in various challenges, such as human chess, with the winning team taking home 10 million won ($8,800) in prize money.

“What kind of society do you want to live in?” the show’s tagline reads.

A surprising number of people opted to forgo the voting system for the sake of efficiency or power, the show’s trailer revealed.

“With this society, I think if the leader does (his or her) job well, we’ll win,” said ballet instructor and fitness trainer Choi Seol-hwa, who made a beeline for the totalitarian group.

“I’m coveting the leadership position to be honest,” said comedian Yang Sang-gook, who joined her, on the clip. Martial arts fighter MJ Kim said she was a “pacifist” and chose the democratic group. English instructor Kim Hi-jun made the same choice. “The other group looks way too intense,” he commented. Magazine editor Yoon Macho said he preferred “making something together with other people.”

But competition also exists within the teams, as one member is eliminated and sent home every week. Covert deals, scheming and cliques abound; decisions are often more politically motivated than based on reason, said Jeong.

“I think it’s interesting to observe uncalculated human reactions, regardless of whether they’re considered morally wrong or right,” said producer Jeong. “I guess I play the role of Big Brother in this Panopticon set.”

On the cutthroat playing board, contestants resorted to extremes to win, Jeong said. “It’s not a show featuring people who pretend to be nice or share.”

But Jeong stressed that his project did not provide a perfect model for assessing the workings of a society.

“I’m well aware that efficiency and winning cannot be the sole standards for determining whether a society works,” he said. Intangible but essential factors such as personal satisfaction, for example, are trampled down in his world.

“This show doesn’t pursue the values a healthy society should pursue,” Jeong pointed out. “It’s all about looking at unbridled human reactions in extreme conditions.”

Some 70 cameras were installed in and around the set, including drone cameras taking aerial shots, in order to examine the contestants discreetly and around the clock.

“I wanted to make it as real as possible,” said Jeong.

“Society Game” will begin airing on tvN at 9 p.m. on Sunday. If the program proves successful, Endemol will distribute the format internationally.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)