21 Korean Variety Shows for Learners and Where to Stream Them

In Korea, a variety show usually involves a group of people doing challenges and other entertaining activities. They usually feature some of the most famous celebrities, such as comedians, actors and K-pop idols, with guests that you’re bound to recognize.

Beloved for their zaniness, drama and twists, Korean variety shows also offer insights into Korean culture that you won’t get anywhere else. Let’s take a look at 21 awesome examples of shows that can be enjoyed by everyone, learners and all.

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1. Knowing Bros / Men on a Mission / Ask Us Anything

Where to watch: Netflix, YouTube

What it’s about: Acting as high school students, celebrities play a series of games within a classroom setting.

In this show, a certain celebrity plays a transfer student and enters the lion’s den, uhm, I mean the classroom. Everything is fair game from that point on.

You might see interviews, debates, karaoke, random games, improv and more. There are even eating contests, poetry slams and every once in a while, a wrestling match.

The guests are usually from girl and boy groups who are put in uncomfortable situations to the delight of their fans. 

2. Infinite Challenge

Where to watch: Kokowa

What it’s about: In this zany show, celebrities are forced to endure a relentless series of nigh-impossible challenges.

What do you get from a show whose tagline is, “Dirty, Dangerous, Difficult?” Well, everything. The challenges are so creative and sometimes so impossible that you just can’t help but stay glued to your seat.

You get tugs-of-war with cows, black noodle soup while on a roller coaster ride, hidden camera pranks, satirical TV ads and fake news segments. That’s what you get when you have a show anchored by cast members who are ready to do just about anything at the drop of a hat.

This show has been so influential that it’s been reported the South Korean government wanted it to feature content based on its policies. It ran from 2005 to 2018. 

3. Running Man

Where to watch: Viki, Kocowa, Apple TV, YouTube

What it’s about: A beloved show where celebrities participate in missions, races, and unpredictable challenges, creating a perfect blend of humor and competition.

“Running Man” is a high-energy South Korean variety show that combines athleticism, wit, and humor. The format features a regular cast of entertainers and celebrity guests who participate in a series of missions and challenges, often involving elaborate races and games.

The show’s trademark name-tag-ripping game adds an element of excitement as cast members attempt to eliminate each other.

With a winning blend of physical comedy and camaraderie, “Running Man” has become a long-standing favorite, offering viewers a thrilling mix of laughter and competitive spirit.

5. The Return of Superman

Where to watch: Viki, YouTube

What it’s about: Celebrity fathers are left alone with their kids, in their own homes, for 48 hours, while mom enjoys a well-deserved break. 

If “The Bachelor” ended up marrying the girl, and they had kids, then it would be this show. Celebrity fathers must undergo a mission to keep their kids happy (and alive!) for those 48 hours—without any help.

From their kitchen foibles to their awful lullabies, this provides an intimate look into the lives of celebrities as regular and real-life fathers, doing everything from entertaining their kids to cleaning up after them.

6. 2 Days & 1 Night

Where to watch: Viki, Apple TV, YouTube

What it’s about: Cast members visit little-known but interesting spots around South Korea, making merry and creating crazy.

This show is a dream for South Korea’s tourism office. But instead of targeting an international audience, it’s for South Koreans.

You’ll watch a motley crew travel to some mountain town, seaside village or a nearby island where they spend two days and one night. They explore the place, meet with locals and have interesting conversations along the way.

They’re also given a variety of challenges, followed by a reward or punishment. A reward might allow them a taste of a local delicacy; a punishment might mean going for a dip in the town’s frigid waters.

7. We Got Married

Where to watch: Viki

What it’s about: Two celebrities, who aren’t a couple, are asked to live the life of a married couple.

Each week, a matched couple are given different tasks and missions, from getting groceries on a limited budget to spiffing up the house.

The couples might be fake but the tasks and the interactions are real, and fans are on the edge of their seats wondering if the two people in the situation are really starting to fall for each other.

This premise caught on and resulted in a Chinese spin-off featuring celebrities from Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

8. I Live Alone / Home Alone

Where to watch: Viki, Kocowa, YouTube

What it’s about: Viewers follow the footsteps of a celebrity who lives a solo life.

Roughly a third of Korean celebrities live alone for varying reasons: the lack of a romantic partner, business matters that often keep a couple apart or a simple personal preference to live independently.

While there are a few variety show elements like group panels and such, the show’s special sauce is its honest portrayal of these individuals as they go about their everyday life.

The show is well-liked for its unscripted and genial nature, supported by the documentary-style footage that gives little peeks into the celebrity’s life.

9. My Little Old Boy

Where to watch: Viki, Kocowa, YouTube

What it’s about: A heartwarming show exploring the lives of celebrity bachelors and their relationships with their mothers.

This show captures candid moments of the celebrities’ daily lives and interactions with their moms. The panel itself features celebrities’ mothers who are observing and judging a different celebrity each week.

With a perfect blend of laughter and touching moments, “My Little Old Boy” showcases the endearing relationships and gives viewers a peek into the personal and often hilarious aspects of family dynamics.

The show’s charm lies in its relatability, making it a favorite for audiences who appreciate a mix of family, comedy and reality TV.

10. Hangout with Yoo / How Do You Play?

Where to watch: Viki, Kocowa, Apple TV 

What it’s about: Led by Yoo Jae-suk, the “National MC,” the show experiments with segments, challenges and collaborations, showcasing Yoo’s versatility and entertaining dynamics.

“Hangout with Yoo” is a variety show hosted by Yoo Jae-suk, one of South Korea’s most beloved entertainers.

Known for his wit and charm, Yoo collaborates with various celebrities to create unique and entertaining projects. From forming idol groups to producing hit songs, the show explores the creative process with a comedic twist.

Yoo’s infectious energy and the camaraderie among the cast make “Hangout with Yoo” a delightful journey into the world of entertainment and creativity, showcasing the fun side of collaborative projects in the Korean entertainment industry.

11. The Great Escape

Where to watch: Apple TV

What it’s about: A suspenseful escape room-style show where celebrities work together to solve intricate puzzles, adding intensity and strategy to the variety show genre.

“The Great Escape” is a thrilling escape room-inspired variety show that combines strategy, intellect and teamwork. Hosted by Kang Ho-dong, the show features a group of celebrities who must solve complex puzzles and challenges to escape various themed locations.

With a mix of mystery and adventure, “The Great Escape” appeals to viewers who enjoy suspenseful and brain-teasing variety shows, offering a unique twist on the classic escape room concept.

12. Law of the Jungle

Where to watch: Viki, Kocowa, YouTube

What it’s about: Celebrities, actors and K-pop stars are plopped into remote locations where they’ll have to fend for themselves.

In this show, Korean celebrities get a “Survivor” experience. The guest stars gather food and create shelter and must cooperate in order to make it.

They’ll have to survive extreme weather conditions and scarcity. But most of all, they’ll need to survive each other. Past locations have included places such as the Cook Islands, Madagascar, the Amazon and Antarctica.

“Law of the Jungle” is hosted by Kim Byung-man, a comedian—because, you know, there’s nothing like humor to tide you over through a cold night in the middle of nowhere when your stomach is empty.

13. Abnormal Summit / Non-summit

Where to watch: YouTube

What it’s about: A panel of individuals, which includes both native Koreans and those from different nations, discuss topics concerning Korean culture and society.

The show features discussions from individuals who are fluent in the language. But being foreigners, they’re able to bring their own unique perspectives to the table as they talk and debate on a variety of matters.

This is a great show to indulge in some fun and genuinely thoughtful conversations about current affairs. It had a large appeal to viewers to native Koreans and foreigners interested in Korea.

Although the show stopped airing in 2017, the formatting of the show offered an open space to air opinions from various viewpoints, especially when the panel consisted of members from nations beyond Europe or America.

14. The King of Mask Singer

Where to watch: Viki, Kocowa, YouTube

What it’s about: Different contestants compete in a paired singing competition while wearing some fabulous masks to hide their identities.

If you’re a fan of the American TV series “The Masked Singer” then “The King of Mask Singer” will be right up your alley in both entertainment and learning value. Fun fact: it was originally a South Korean show!

Since each contestant must hide their identity, the judging panel’s ratings aren’t biased toward their actual backgrounds. Besides belting out some favorite Korean tunes, the contestants are also open to panel interrogation, which can help the judges get an idea of who they really are.

The losing contestant of each pair-off must unmask and reveal themselves, while the winner goes on to challenge the previous competition winner (known as the “King”) in hopes of stealing the crown.

15. New Journey to the West

Where to watch: Apple TV, YouTube

What it’s about: Well-known Korean celebrities travel through different Asian hotspots while undergoing an assortment of challenges.

The title of the series refers to the classic, 16th-century Chinese novel known as “Journey to the West.” The show’s very first season has the cast traversing through Xian, China role-playing as characters from the story.

Later seasons have the troop venturing to places in Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong and even their home country of South Korea. The fun of the show revolves around the chemistry of the cast and the unexpected games and missions they must endure.

If you know anything about Korean group games, it’s that they can be quite demanding, and there are a lot of hilarious moments as members struggle and stumble through them. The show aired from 2015 until 2018.

16. Crime Scene

Where to watch: YouTube

What it’s about: A mock-up of a murder scene (inspired by actual real-life cases) is presented to the cast who must then use their personal detective skills, available resources and limited time to conduct thorough investigations.

With “Crime Scene,” Sherlock wannabes, crime-solving enthusiasts or general lovers of the game “Clue” can get their mystery fix. The end goal of this show’s cast is to figure out the criminal hiding among them.

If the members can correctly deduct the true murderer, then the cash prize is given to them; however, if the heinous perpetrator runs scot-free, he or she alone takes the whole cake.

A lot of fun and intrigue can be found in the dramatized portrayal of the crime scene investigation process. Any fans of the “whodunnit” brand will surely appreciate the effort put forward by the crime recreation and role-playing elements from the cast.

Why Should You Learn Korean with Variety Shows?

These shows are a tour de force when it comes to language learning for a number of reasons. 

• They’re authentic. Today’s technology means that language learners don’t need to purchase a plane ticket just to get immersed in authentic Korean material. You can watch what Koreans watch and you don’t even have to change into a fresh pair of pajamas to do it.
• They use real Korean. While fictional dramas, series and films are also generally considered to be authentic content, variety shows add a whole new level because the situations on-screen tend to be less scripted and the language more realistic.
• They’re fun. When these shows were conceived by their producers, they had ratings in mind. Every minute has something going on. Learning the language becomes doubly easy when you’re having fun.
• They offer context. Korean variety shows provide a vivid context for the language being used. Meanings of new words and terms can be gleaned from the objects and props on set, the places the shows go to and the different activities the cast engages in.

If you want extra tips on how to learn Korean with these variety shows, check out this video.

If you want other ways to brush up on your Korean with tools made specifically for language learners, check out the program FluentU.

 

Not only will you laugh and cry your heart out with these Korean variety shows, but you’ll also learn a language, parts of the culture and perhaps a thing or two about life.

That’s hitting three birds with one stone, which is a pretty darn good use of your time. So now, there’s only one thing left to do is press “play.”

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)