Five friends have to complete around nine tasks and a final test in public places (such as a library, a church, a retirement home or a museum) in order to prove to the so-called Zen Master that they are worthy of him. They are observed by passers-by. For all tasks (except the last one), one of the participants is selected at random. They must then complete the task set for them without speaking or making loud noises. The final test consists of solving a task together as a group within 60 seconds. If they fail this test, they all lose the money they have previously won. The “1000-year-old Zen master” observes them during the game through the “magic well of Ling-Wi” and judges whether the examinee has passed the task like a “real man”.

First of Zen was produced by UFA Entertainment for MTV.