10 years ago, he beat AlphaGo. Now he's navigating ‘unemployed’ life in AI era

Many know Lee Se-dol as the Go grandmaster who scored the lone human victory against Google’s artificial intelligence system AlphaGo in a historic 2016 showdown. In the age of AI, Lee is officially unemployed.

Turning professional at just 12 years old, Lee built one of the most decorated careers in Go history, capturing 14 major international titles. His five-game match against AlphaGo in March 2016 marked a watershed moment in global AI history and his victory in Game 4 remains legendary in competitive Go.

Since stepping away from professional play in 2019, Lee has diversified his portfolio through university lectures, board game design, and high-profile unscripted television, including Netflix’s hit survival competition series “The Devil’s Plan.”

Now, Lee's post-retirement search for purpose comes as a five-episode reality series titled “Unemployed Lee Se-dol.” The show follows Lee as he tries out manual labor that, for now, remains resistant to AI automation — from scaling high-rises as a window washer to delivering yogurt drinks door-to-door.

According to the producer, the show’s concept was inspired by Lee’s legacy and the 10th anniversary of his historic match against AlphaGo.

“I've always admired Lee Se-dol's distinctive poise and brilliant strategic play. Having seen his fierce competitive spirit through various media appearances, I wanted to work with him,” said producer Lee Myung-seop during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of his historic match against AlphaGo, which also aligned perfectly with the concept of our show," he added.

For Lee, his experience on "Unemployed Lee Se-dol" has been less about mastering individual trades than gaining a broader understanding of life beyond the Go board.

"Rather than taking an in-depth look at any particular profession, I feel like I'm getting to experience society and life as a whole through these different jobs," Lee said.

"I've gained even more respect for people who do physical labor. There were many moments when I realized just how inexperienced I was," he added.

"Rather than focusing too much on the physical labor itself, I hope viewers will pay attention to how I grow throughout the experience."

Lee also acknowledged that he has yet to find a pursuit that can fill the void left by his retirement from Go.

"Since retiring, I’ve tried many different things, but I haven’t found anything that could truly replace Go, and I'm continuing to search for it," he said. "That's why I was so grateful and excited when I received the offer to do 'Unemployed Lee Se-dol.' I thought it might actually help me discover something that could take Go's place."

Singer-songwriter Jung Jae-hyung, who co-hosts the program alongside comedian Jang Do-yeon, said the show speaks to broader anxieties about work and the growing influence of AI.

"I think 'Unemployed Lee Se-dol' is a story for everyone who finds themselves out of work," Jung said. "We may feel as though AI is racing ahead while we're being left behind. Lee is going out into the world and experiencing these things on our behalf, and I think a lot of viewers will relate to what he goes through."

"Unemployed Lee Se-dol" premieres Friday on KBS.