The Hallyu wave is everywhere, there's no denying about that. With K-dramas dropping on streaming platforms and K-pop songs playing whenever and wherever we go, one does not really run out of Korean content to enjoy on your free time. However, there's another type of content that people should definitely check out if they're looking for feel-good shows — Korean variety shows.
Perfect for those times when you're just looking for a show to give you some good laughs when you need it, here are 10 shows you should check out if you're new to the world of Korean variety shows:
Running Man
Stream it on: Viu
first aired in 2010, Running Man is one of the classic variety shows every beginner should check out. Here, the main cast, as well as their guests, try to beat and outsmart each other in a series of challenges and missions to win the game and avoid all the penalties set for the loser.
The main cast includes Lee Kwang Soon, Yoo Jae Suk, Song Ji Hyom haha, Ji Seok Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Jeon So Min, and Yang Se Chan.
Knowing Bros
Stream it on: Netflix; Viu
Also known as Men On a Mission and Ask Us Anything, Knowing Bros takes on the high school classroom concept, where mainstays take on the roles of students in a classroom and the guests portray the role of newly-transferred students. The segments feature activities usually done in classrooms with classmates, including the Entrance Application and Guess About Me segments.
Show mainstays include Kang Ho Dong, Kim Hee Chul, Lee Soo Geun, Kim Young Chul, Seo Jang Hoon, Min Kyung Hoon, and Lee Sang Min.
Chef & My Fridge (Please Take Care of my Refrigerator)
Stream it on: Netflix; Viu
In the cooking-variety show Chef & My Fridge, guest stars bring in their refrigerators to the filming studio where the hosts and the chefs go through all its contents, commenting on the food they'll find in it. With these ingredients, chefs then compete to create dishes, depending on the preferences of the guest that they're assigned to.
I Can See Your Voice
Stream it on: Viu
I Can See Your Voice is a mystery game show where guest artists, with the help of a group of panelists called the "Tone-Deaf Defective Team", try to guess which of the six contestants are "good singers" and who are "bad singers" without actually hearing them singing.
King of Masked Singer
Stream it on: Viu
In King of Masked Singer, contestants are given masks to conceal their identity as a way of removing factors like age and popularity which could lead to prejudiced voting. They then have to compete in three elimination rounds, and the winner is chosen by the audience and the panel of celebrities through live voting.
2 Days 1 Night
Stream it on: Viu
Also known as 1 Night 2 Days, 2D1N is a reality-variety show where cast members go on trips all over South Korea while performing missions during mealtimes and at certain points od the day to get rewards and avoid punishments. The show's current cast members include Kim Jong Min, Yeon Jung Hoon, Moon Se Yoon, Kim Seon Ho, DinDin, and Ravi of VIXX.
Return of Superman
Stream it on: Viu
Return of Superman feature celebrity dads who are left to take care of their kids for 48 hours without the help of anyone; their wives going away from home to enjoy some time off. During the time they're together, the dads and children do tasks their wives left them, as they explore and experience new things with each other.
All the Butlers
Stream it on: Viu
All the Butlers or Masters in the House is a TV program where regular cast members Lee Seung Gi, Lee Sang Yoon, and Yang Se Hyung spend two days with known personalities or "Masters" from different fields. There, they get to know about their lives, hoping to gain knowledge and wisdom from this new experience.
Let's Eat Dinner Together
Stream it on: Viu
Let's Eat Dinner Together or Dining Together is documentary-like program where two MCs, along with their guest stars, go around a certain neighborhood in Seoul and find a family who would let them into their home and allow the stars to have dinner with them.
Infinite Challenge
Stream it on: Viu
Known as the first "real-variety" show in Korean TV, the show features guests and hosts who take on what seems to be absurd tasks and challenges that are dirty, dangerous, and difficult. The show mainstays include Yoo Jae Suk, Park Myeong Su, Jeong Jun Ha, Haha, and Hwang Kwanghee.
Infinite Challenge ran from 2005 to 2018.
* Homestream image taken from Running Man's official Facebook page.
