KMazing – South Korea may be better known for their ability in “exporting” their drama and music, but as K-Drama and K-Pop become more famous, variety and reality shows from this country are also increasingly becoming in demand. The many concepts that were tried with unique shooting techniques became the charming poins from the becoming famous variety shows from this country. From Running Man to Law of Jungles, this is a list that we have composed for those of you who need references to the world of variety shows from South Korea. Enjoy!

Running Man

Running Man is a variety show that is very well known not only in South Korea but all over the world. It seems that there are rarely fans of variety shows from South Korea who have never watched this particular show. The popularity of the Running Man show itself made a number of its members so widely known. Both in South Korea and in other countries. Even some former Running Man members like Song Joong-ki, Lizzy, and Gary are still famous today.

Also Read: Top Three 2018 Running Man Episode 

Currently, the members of Running Man are Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Lee Kwang-soo, Song Ji-Hyo, Jeon So-min, and Yang Se-chan. In addition to these members, on every episode, Running Man will invite a guest star which will be involved in the episode. Whether it’s celebrities, artists, idols, or singers.

The members and guest stars on Running Man will be given certain missions. Later those who fail or lose on the mission will get a punishment. TBH, this is one of the most special variety shows that will always be capable to entertain your weekend.

Knowing Brother

The JTBC’s variety show was aired for the first time in 2015 and has several different names. Starting from Men on a Mission or Ask Us Anything. After several alterations on concept and member, Knowing Brother is currently supported by Kang Ho-dong, Seo Jang-hoon, Kim Young-Chul, Lee Soo-Geun, Kim Hee-chul, Min Kyung-hoon, and Lee Sang-min as the cast members.

Also Read: Top 10 Episodes of Knowing Brothers in 2018

Knowing Brother has a pretty interesting concept. This television program will present guest stars from artists, athletes, actors, to idols. Stars of the episode will present themselves as the new students. Yes, Knowing Brother has a school or class concept. So that the members and guest stars can converse with straightforward language, making this one of the charms of this interesting and unique talk-ish show.

Idol Room

Idol Room is the latest variety show that aired in May 2018. The variety show was hosted by two well-known hosts, previously popular on Weekly Idol, Jeong Hyeong-Don and Defconn. The similarity of the two variety shows is not only on the same host. But the concept of the program is more or less similar.

Idol Room’s airs every Wednesday on Naver TV. The show concept presents guest stars who often come from idol groups. They will be given question and answer sessions, perform dance challenges, and many others. The excitement of this show is indeed the chit-chat combi of the hosts and guest stars from the idol group.

Busted

“Busted” or “The Culprit is You” presents several different things compared to other variety shows. This variety show is not even broadcasted on television stations or cable TV in South Korea. On the contrary, Busted actually broadcasts globally throughout the world through Netflix.

The variety show starred a famous lineup of South Korea’s entertainer such as Yoo Jae-suk, Ahn Jae-Wook, Kim Jong-min, Lee Kwang-soo, Park Min-young, Oh Se-hun, and Kim Se- Jeong. Busted has a unique concept where the cast will be divided into teams and trying their best to solve a case. A different case will, of course, be on a different episode but the twist is, all the case is actually one huge scheme that needs to be solved.

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This unique concept which is quite different from other variety show shows certainly created the buzz that Busted need to attract a lot of attention. Not only for those who are fans of television programs from South Korea. But also the viewers on the subscription streaming channel, Netflix.

I Live Alone

I Live Alone or Home Alone is one of the South Korean reality shows packed in documentary concepts. In a way, the concept is no stranger to reality shows from the country that are packed with revolutionary concepts in making a show. But I Live Alone is still able to show interesting and different aspects compared to other programs.

Also Read: Top 10 Best K-Drama of 2018

For this reality show, the audience is brought into the lives of singles or those who have no partners in South Korea. Generally are celebrities, idols, actors, and artists from that country. The purpose of this reality show, besides showing how the lives of celebrities who have no partners are also to “normalize” the concept of living alone in a big city. One of them is of course as shown by celebrities or idols who are stars on the show.

So far there have been dozens of celebrities, actors and also idols who starred on this reality show. Not including those who only attend as guest stars. Those who have been a star on this reality show even formed a separate club called Rainbow. As mentioned, in this event there will be a camera that records all the daily life of the stars. The show, which has been airing since 2013, attracted a lot of attention and even dubbed as the new nation variety shows.

New Journey to the West

New Journey to the West entered a new season last September. For this 5 and 6th New Journey to the West, the members went to Hong Kong and Hokkaido. There are some differences between this season and before. One of them is the new members with fresh new characters.

For New Journey to the West season 5 and 6, there are members consisting of renowned presenters and idols. There are Kang Ho-dong, Eun Ji-won, Lee Soo-Geun, Ahn Jae-Hyun, Mino and also PO with characters as Chucky, Kaonashi, Dracula, Chinese Zombie, Grim Reaper and Virgin Female Ghost for New Journey to the West 5 in Hong Kong.

Whereas in New Journey to the West 6,  Na PD still went on with the same members but the characters that are used are watermelon, pear, farmer, peach, grape, and sprouts. This character was introduced when the members arrived in Hokkaido on 30 September 2018 ago.

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As the name suggested, this variety show is about the famous story of the journey to the west with a lil twist of collaborating it with Dragon Ball. There is no fixed concept on this show but that’s the main charm of it.

Master Key

Master Key is a variety show that premiered in October 2017 until the beginning of 2018. This variety show one has a quite unique concept. Where the players and guest stars are divided into 2 different teams. Each team certainly has different challenges and missions.

But later the winner of the challenge and mission at the Master Key is not determined by the team. But how do they guess who is the “Angel” and the “Evil” among the members and guest stars in the episode. The winner will get a “Master Key” as well as certain prizes.

It’s Dangerous Beyond the Blankets

In 2018 there are several titles of interesting reality shows that air in South Korea. One of them is It’s Dangerous Beyond the Blankets. It’s Dangerous Beyond the Blankets has a concept that is quite different from other reality shows. The stars of the shows such as idols and famous celebrities who are known to have quiet characters or homebodies are put under one roof and were tasked with lots of activities. Homebody is a term for those who prefer to spend time at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9hWu5En0V4

Happy Together

Happy Together is a variety show with a talk show concept that is quite interesting. The show, which has been airing since 2002, was hosted by Yoo Jae-suk, Jun Hyun-moo, and Jo Se-ho. The program itself has several different segments, which change on each season. For the fourth season this year, guest stars are distinguished in the Happy Together Town segment and also Legendary Big Mouth.

Like most talk shows, presenters will often lure guest stars to uncover something that the audience hasn’t yet known. For that, Happy Together often invites famous idols or celebrities in special episodes.

Law of the Jungle

Law of the Jungle is one of the most interesting and took on a whole different path of reality shows. On the reality show that has been airing since 2011, guest stars will be taken to mountainous areas, rivers, to the wilderness. They will be tested to survive in the area from days to weeks. Of course without taking on any help from modern life.

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The guest stars who are usually consisting of celebrities, athletes, idols, artists, actors and many others will be required to live in the wilderness. They have to make their own beds to find food in the area. Law of the Jungle often reveals the real personality and the endurance level of the celebrities and idols. So that alone is worth to watch right?