EBS has announced the return of its flagship knowledge program, 'Great Minds,' for its sixth season, featuring an unprecedented lineup of 50 top scholars. Viewers will have the opportunity to watch lectures from world-class intellects for free from the comfort of their homes.
This season will include five Nobel laureates, including the 2025 Nobel Prize winner in Economics, Philippe Aghion, and will also feature prominent Korean scholars and business leaders, providing essential insights for a rapidly changing world.
On September 8, EBS held a production announcement event for 'Great Minds' Season 6 at the Seoul Club Hall in Gwanghwamun, in collaboration with the National Institute for Lifelong Education. This season, planned in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and the K-MOOC initiative, will premiere on October 12 and offer approximately 250 lectures until June of next year.
World-Class Scholars Gather for Season 6
The standout feature of Season 6 is its impressive roster of speakers. A total of 50 scholars from around the world will address key questions of our time, covering topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), future technologies, economics, management, and international relations.
Notable figures include former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Yellen will discuss the reshaping of the global economy and financial order in the context of geopolitical changes, while Schröder will reflect on Germany's past reform experiences and their relevance today.
Additionally, five Nobel laureates will participate, including Philippe Aghion, who won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics for his theory on sustainable growth through creative destruction, and other leading researchers such as Reinhard Genzel (2020 Physics), Ferenc Krausz (2023 Physics), Omar Yaghi (2025 Chemistry), and Yoshinori Ohsumi (2018 Physiology or Medicine).
In the field of AI and future technologies, eight experts, including Mark Chen, Chief Research Officer at OpenAI, and Cedric Villani, a Fields Medalist, will contribute their insights. The program will also feature cultural figures, such as renowned French actress and director Sophie Marceau, enhancing the diversity and accessibility of knowledge.
First Appearance of Korean Scholars
For the first time, 'Great Minds' will include a lineup of Korean scholars. Hyun Taek-hwan, a leading authority in nanoscience, Kim Yong-ki, a professor at the University of Chicago known for leading large-scale particle physics experiments, and Kim Kyung-hee, an educational psychologist at William & Mary focusing on creativity in the AI era, will all take the stage.
Additionally, Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will share practical economic and management insights.
At the production announcement, Hyun Taek-hwan expressed, "It is meaningful to share with the public how Korean scientists are posing and answering questions at the forefront of global science. I want to convey that science has the power to change our lives and future." Kim Yong-ki emphasized, "The advancement of science begins not with memorizing known answers but with continuously asking new questions," highlighting the joy of inquiry.
Award-Winning Knowledge Program
The impact of 'Great Minds,' which combines broadcast content with online lifelong education, has been validated by viewer evaluations. According to a recent survey of 1,054 individuals across the country, the program ranked first in all four evaluation metrics: preference, rewatch intention, recommendation intention, and satisfaction.
Kim Wol-yong, head of the National Institute for Lifelong Education, stated, "Providing world-class knowledge to everyone, anytime and anywhere, is a crucial foundation for expanding the public's right to lifelong learning. We will strengthen our collaboration with EBS to broaden learning opportunities and ensure continuous education in people's daily lives through 'Great Minds.'"
EBS President Kim Yoo-yeol reflected on the program's journey, saying, "When we started this ambitious project six years ago with the goal of inviting 1,000 world-class scholars, many thought it was impossible. Now, with Season 6, we have brought together 200 scholars, which is truly gratifying. 'Great Minds' has lowered the barriers to knowledge, allowing everyone to meet the world's greatest intellects."
He added, "We live in a rapidly changing, AI-driven era where knowledge alone is not enough. 'Great Minds' will provide insights and perspectives necessary for our citizens and global citizens to navigate this new age, and we will strive to ensure that this intellectual public good enriches all our lives."
All lectures for Season 6 will air on EBS 1TV starting October 12, every weekday at 11:45 p.m., and will be available for free viewing on the K-MOOC and EBS websites.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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