Korean Entertainment never fails to capture varying interests among audiences, from those interested in music and performance, who have an interest in acting and drama to those who purely want entertainment in the form of variety shows.
Variety shows were dominated by shows placed on the main themes of games or talk shows, mostly built up towards the show's goal while maintaining the objective of making audiences laugh. Some of Korea's most famous shows include Infinite Challenge, Running Man, Two Days, One Night, and New Journey to the West, all guaranteed to make you laugh while navigating through its numerous episodes or seasons.
But there are various shows that either strayed completely away from the usual formats or provided a much refreshing take on the usual variety shows. Here are some of your not-so-usual variety shows and why you should give them a try!
The Great Escape is a comedy reality show that veered on the side of mystery and adventure. Here's a show perfect for Escape Room lovers and people who would appreciate escapes through logical and intellectual clues and a hint of physical force whenever needed. The show is phenomenal, an absolute genius as it utilizes the concept of a cinematic universe known as DTCU (Daetalchul Universe), with most of its episodes having continuous storylines over the seasons. The show stars Kang Hodong, Kim Jongmin, Kim Donghyun, Shindong, Yoo Byungjae, and P.O.
2. Girls' High School Mystery Class
Occurring under the same cinematic universe as The Great Escape, Girls' High School Mystery Class is another comedic reality show that focuses on mystery and adventure. Starring an all-girl cast of Jang Doyeon, Jae Jae, BIBI, Park Jiyoon, and Choi Yena, the series features the mystery team's task to uncover suspicious events and secrets in a girls' high school. They resolve cases and reveal truths through their wit, logic, and deductions.
3. Busted
Netflix's first original program to showcase an all-Korean cast, Busted is a mystery thriller fiction variety show mixing both scripted and unscripted lines. The series started in 2018 with three seasons of installments, dancing along with the concept of being detectives working as part of Project D while resolving cases they face along the way. The show consists of entertainers, actors, celebrities, and idols, Yoo Jaesuk, Ahn Jaewook, Kim Jongmin, Lee Kwangsoo, Park Minyoung, Oh Sehun, Kim Sejeong, and Lee Seunggi.
4. New World
Another Netflix original, New World is a refreshing reality show that revolves around the concept of an imaginary simulation variety show, portraying a utopia that everyone dreams of. Together with cast members Lee Seunggi, Eun Jiwon, Kim Heechul, Jo Boah, Park Narae, and Kai, they strategize and sabotage to earn virtual currency they can cash in on the final day of their stay on the utopian island.
Law of the Jungle is one of the most unique variety shows, also under the genre of reality shows and documentaries that features celebrities sent to survive in remote locations around the world. Headed by the only regular cast member, Kim Byungman, the show reveals the experience of living in the wild, together with guest celebrities, entertainers, actors and actresses, and K-Pop idols.
Another variety-reality show hailing from Netflix, Single's Inferno is basically a dating show that is really different from the usual. They throw some extremely attractive Korean singles on a deserted island in hopes that they’ll find love and couple up. If they do, they have the opportunity to head out to Paradise Hotel & Resorts off-site, but if they fail to do so, they will be left to "hell" to fend off for themselves. The show was hosted by Lee Dahee, Kyuhyun, Hong Jinkyung, and Hanhae.
Little Forest is the show perfect for those with a soft spot for children. The program is for children who have no place to play and is a healing variety program designed as a home kids garden development project for children. The kids spend time with cast members Lee Seunggi and Jung Somin, who are certified child psychology counselors, and Lee Seojin and Park Narae, who went through training for a cooking course to cater to young kids.
8. Mapo Hipster
Mapo Hipster is one of the few variety shows that focus on "fashion" long-time best friends and fashionistas Song Mino and P.O. go head to head against each other to win the "fashion king" award. The show is another brainchild of the genius producer, Na Young Seok, airing both on tvN and Channel Fullmoon. Both must compete weekly in order to win the title by dressing in accordance with the missions of Time, Place, and Occasion.
Another show from the belt of the great entertainer Yoo Jaesuk, Laborhood on Hire is a reality-variety show where Jaesuk and guest celebrities head to different working places where there is a lack of employees. They work hard together to put the money earned to good use. Jaesuk saves his earnings, and in episode 9, he used it to buy assorted goods from the working places that appeared in the series as gifts to all of the guest celebrities.
Delicious Rendezvous is a variety show that develops new menus using low-demand local specialties to help farmers. They have segments such as "Delicious Shopping Live," where the show's live home shopping broadcasts feature the cast selling a specific local specialty to viewers in order to help out local farmers. Another segment is "The King of Salesmen," where they sell a specific local specialty to companies for consumer consumption by developing various products such as home meal kits and new desserts. The show has current cast members such as renowned chef Baek Jongwon, Yang Sehyung, Choi Wonyoung, Kwak Dongyeon, and Choi Yebin.
Among listed variety shows, what is your favorite and currently on your watch list? What other unusual or unique variety show do you recommend to future viewers?
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Busted and Mapo Hipster are two of my favourites along side RM, Family Outing, Knowing Bros, and NJTTW and all its spin-offs. . 😍 I'm gonna add to this list Village Survival:The Eight, and How do you play. These are so entertaining.