After almost two years of being in lockdown, we’re starting to see things slowly go back to normal, with cinemas finally re-opening and restaurants allowing a small percentage of people to dine in again. With this, we can now start hoping that borders will soon open again to allow us to travel to places that are on our bucket list. While waiting for that day to come, we can always rely on variety shows to satisfy our wanderlusts and take us to places all over the world without having to leave home.
From 2 Days & 1 Night to BTS’ Bon Voyage, here are 10 Korean variety shows worth checking out:
2 Days & 1 Night
Also known as 2D1N, 2 Days & 1 Night is a reality-variety show which features the cast as they travel to various places in South Korea, playing games to win a delicious meal and avoid doing punishments. Its main concept is to highlight theattractions and cuisines of a certain place or province, which people can check out when they go there.
The show has seen various cast changes throughout its 13-year run. Its current cast members include Yeon Jung Hoon, Kim Jong Min, Moon Se Yoon, Dindin, and VIXX’s Ravi.
Where to Watch: Viu
Over Flowers
From the popular K-variety show producer Na Young Seok comes the three Over Flowers series — Grandpas Over Flowers, Sisters Over Flowers, and Youth Over Flowers. These shows features grandpas, noonas, and youthful cast members who travel to various places to enjoy their various cuisines and culture. Some of the countries that these series have visited include Iceland, Austria, Spain, Peru, Australia, and more.
Law of the Jungle
Law of the Jungle is a reality-documentary show where actors and K-pop stars join comedian Kim Byung Man in remote locations around the world. Here, they learn what it’s like to live in the wild as they hunt, prepare meals, and create shelter for the rest of their team. Some of the places that the show visited include Kota Manado, New Zealand, Palawan, Antarctica, and more.
Where to Watch: Viu
Twogether
Twogether is a travel-variety show that brings two stars — Lee Seung Gi and Jasper Liu — together and on a trip to 6 cities where they fulfill missions at famous spots which have been recommended by fans. Unlike other travel variety shows, the producers also leave them on their own, with a limited budget, a car, and a map giving them hints on where they should go next. In a span of a month, the two actors have been to Yogyakarta and Bali in Indonesia, Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand, and Dhampus and Pokhara in Nepal.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Hometown Flex
Hometown Flex features two “Seoul Bumpkins” — Cha Tae Hyun and Lee Seung Gi — who have lived in Seoul all their lives. They then try to experience life outside Seoul by going on local tours guided by celebrities who were born and raised in their hometowns. The series’ first season took the stars to Busan, Gwangju, Cheongju, Daejeon, and Jeonju.
Where to Watch: Viu
Begin Again
If you love music and traveling, you’d definitely enjoy JTBC’s show Begin Again. The show features some of South Korea’s most talented musicians as they travel overseas, where no one knows about them. They then do busking performances in particular tourist spots to introduce themselves to the people in other countries.
Some of the show’s famous cast members include AKMU’s Lee Su Hyun, Jukjae, Henry, Lee So Ra, Taeyeon, Paul Kim, Crush, Lee Hi, Sohyang, and more.
House on Wheels
House on Wheels features three cast members who explore various parts of South Korea with their camper van. As they do so, they try to find the best local and seasonal food that each place has to offer with their guest stars. Some of the show’s most notable guests include IU, Gong Hyo Jin, Jung Eun Ji, Lee Su Kyung, and more.
The show stars Sung Dong Il and Kim Hee Won, with Gong Myung starring starting Season 3. Im Siwan and Yeo Jin Goo also starred in the previous seasons of the show.
Where to Watch: Viu
Youn’s Stay
Youn’s Stay is a spin-off of another reality program called Youn’s Kitchen. It’s set in a hanok in South Jeolla and features the cast who welcome foreign guests who are not able to experience South Korean cuisine and culture because of the pandemic. Its current cast members are Youn Yeo Jung, Choi Woo Sik, Jung Yoo Mi, Lee Seo Jin, and Park Seo Joon.
Where to Watch: Viu
Traveler
Traveler is another JTBC program featuring actors going on a backpacking trip. Season 1 features Lee Je Hoon and Ryu Jun Yeol as they travel to Cuba, while Season 2 stars Ahn Jae Hong, Kang Ha Neul, and Ong Seung Woo as they go backpacking in Argentina. Traveler shows the cast as they discover the country’s culture and history, and trying out their unique and delicious cuisine.
Bon Voyage
For the ARMY who miss traveling, there’s BTS’ travel variety show Bon Voyage. It features the seven members of the group as they try to become normal tourists and tour a place they know nothing about with only a limited budget. The variety show now currently has 4 seasons and has brought the group to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Hawaii, Malta, and New Zealand.
Where to Watch: WeVerse
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Which of these K-variety shows are you putting on your lists?
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