(OSEN)

The fifth season of SBS TV series “Law of the Jungle” is a display of the survival of the fittest, with celebrities who are intensely athletic and “thrive in extreme conditions,” said producer Kim Jin-ho.

This new season of the show, which features celebrities attempting to survive in the wilderness with only the most primitive of resources, takes place in Nicaragua. It will star, alongside original cast member and comedian Kim Byung-man, an eclectic group ranging from basketball legend Hyun Joo-yup and mixed martial arts champion Kim Dong-hyun to Minah of girl group Girl’s Day and singer Kim Tae-woo of boy band g.o.d.

(SBS)

One common factor among many of the new cast is that they have a background in sports, said producer Kim at a press conference Wednesday.

Among the cast, girl group EXID’s Hani used to be a swimmer, while boy group GOT7’s Jackson is a former fencing champion, he explained.

“Viewers have always been asking for strong athletes to star in the show, so we decided to take that on this season,” said Kim. “It made for a dynamic, exciting combination of sports and survival in the jungle.”

The show will feature the cast members diving off cliffs into Nicaragua’s winding rivers, rock climbing and tasting a variety of exotic food including armadillo and iguana.

The series’ new season set to begin at 10 p.m. on Sept. 11 on SBS. The show will additionally feature N of boy group VIXX, actors Choi Woo-sik and Jo Han-sun, and comedian Ryu Dam.

By Rumy Doo (bigbird@heraldcorp.com)