Han Hyo-joo Introduces First Neuralink Trial Participant's Life in 'Transhuman'

Actress Han Hyo-joo will introduce the daily life of the first human participant in Elon Musk's Neuralink clinical trial.

The second part of KBS 1TV's special documentary series 'Transhuman,' titled 'Brain Implant,' airing on the 19th, will offer the first-ever close-up coverage by a South Korean broadcaster of a participant in clinical trials for Neuralink, the BCI company founded by Elon Musk.

This episode focuses on 'Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)' technology, which promises to expand human capabilities. BCI technology allows users to control computer screens and even robotic arms simply by reading brain signals. Initially developed for medical applications to help paralyzed individuals regain independence, BCI is now drawing attention across various industries for its vast potential.

Recent events, such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's surprise announcements at 'Nvidia GTC 2025' in California, where he introduced 'Synchron,' a BCI company Nvidia is investing in, have highlighted the growing interest. Tech giants like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates are also keenly focused on the BCI field.

The establishment of Neuralink by Elon Musk, a visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX, has created a significant stir in the BCI industry. 'Transhuman' Part 2 will feature the unprecedented domestic broadcast of the daily life of Arvo Nolander, who became Neuralink's first human trial subject in 2024. Paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident, Nolander is now gradually expanding the boundaries of his life by freely communicating in the digital world after receiving the Neuralink implant. The Neuralink BCI chip is coin-sized, features a self-contained battery, and connects to devices via Bluetooth.

Narrator Han Hyo-joo commented, "The strangeness of feeling like your body has become an electronic device has now become a normal part of everyday life." The documentary will also feature other individuals using various types of BCI technology and meet the scholars who developed these innovations, exploring the emergence of a new kind of 'superhuman' as the brain controls computers and computers complement brain functions.

'Transhuman' Part 2, 'Brain Implant,' airs Wednesday, the 19th, at 10 PM on KBS 1TV.

Netizens expressed excitement over the broadcast, with comments like "Elon Musk's technology sounds fascinating," "Looking forward to Han Hyo-joo's narration," and "It's a first for Korean broadcasting, I have to watch it."