Source: https://top-list.co/top-best-korean-reality-variety-shows-v3589.html
1. Running Man, 2. Infinite Challenge, 3. Knowing Brothers (Men on a Mission), 4. One Night Two Days, 5. New Journey to the West, 6. Master in the House ( All the Butlers), 7. The Return of Superman, 8. I Live Alone (Home Alone), 9. Weekly Idol, 10. My Little Old Boy. These are the greatest Korean reality and variety shows to watch if you're searching for something lighthearted to watch after a tear-jerking K-drama. In Korea, reality and variety shows are big, and people all around the world are quickly catching on. Not only are there humorous themes on reality and variety shows, but there are also well-known Korean celebrities, actresses, and K-Pop singers. So, what are the best Korean variety shows and reality shows of all time? Let's find out with Toplist!
- Running Man
- Infinite Challenge
- Knowing Brothers (Men on a Mission)
- One Night Two Days
- New Journey to the West
- Master in the House ( All the Butlers)
- The Return of Superman
- I Live Alone (Home Alone)
- Weekly Idol
- My Little Old Boy
Running Man
Running Man is ranked first on this list of the top Korean variety programs of all time. Running Man has been amusing South Korean fans since 2010. Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Song Jihyo, Kim Jong-kook, Jee Seokjing, Jeon Somin, and Yang Sechan also feature in the program. The actors and famous guests are assigned objectives to complete in a series of games on the show.
The Name Tag Ripping game is the company’s signature game, in which players must rip their opponents’ name tags in order to win. Many Kpop groups, Korean actors, and actresses appear many times on the show. It began in South Korea and has now spread to other nations. Hong Kong, the Philippines, and even Switzerland have been visited by the actors. They also brought in worldwide icons like Ryan Reynolds, Tom Cruise, and Stephen Curry, similar to Infinite Challenge.
Detailed information:
Original release: July 11, 2010 – present
Cast: Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Song Ji-hyo, Jeon So-min, Yang Se-chan
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2185037
Running Man
Infinite Challenge
Infinite Challenge is the most popular and one of the finest Korean variety shows of all time. Despite the fact that the show ended in 2018, it was the gold standard for Korean variety shows. The weekly show debuted in 2006 and quickly made Yoo Jae Seok a celebrity in Korea’s variety shows.
It was one of Korea’s longest-running television series, as well as one of the most popular. The program established the benchmark for what a Korean variety/reality show should be. Colorful images splashed across the screen, significant usage of slow-mo/replays, bizarre game show challenges, and a completely unscripted format were all employed. In Korea, the program was so popular that practically every musician, actor, and comedian wanted to be a part of it. The concert also included international personalities such as actor Jack Black and NBA star Stephen Curry.
Original release: April 23, 2005 – March 31, 2018
Cast: Yoo Jae-suk, Park Myeong-su, Jeong Jun-ha, Haha, Yang Se-hyung, Jo Se-ho
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4546568
Infinite Challenge
Knowing Brothers (Men on a Mission)
Knowing Brothers also known as Men on a Mission is a Korean variety show that started in 2015. The show takes place in a Korean classroom where the cast plays a variety of games with celebrity guests. However, many of the fun and interesting moments come from the discussions from their lives and showcasing some of their talents. Most of the guests tend to be Kpop Idols and groups as most guests need to be young to fit in with the classroom setting.
Kang Ho-dong, Lee Soo-geun, Kim Young-chul, Seo Jang-hoon, Kim Heechul, Min Kyunghoon, Lee Sangmin, and Lee Jin-ho make up the current fixed cast of Knowing Bros; Hwang Chi-yeul and Kim Se-hwang were original cast members in the show’s first few episodes. Jang Sung-kyu and Shindong have made appearances on the show as recurrent special guests, hosting game portions. Several awards were given to the show over its existence.
Original release: December 5, 2015 – present
Cast: Kang Ho Dong, Lee Soo Guen, Kim Hee Chul, Seo Jang Hoon, Lee Sang Min, Min Kyung Hyun, Kim Yong Chul
Link to watch: https://www.netflix.com/title/80176842
Knowing Brothers (Men on a Mission)
One Night Two Days
The longest-running Korean variety program of all time is One Night Two Days. It premiered in 2007 and continues to air now. The cast members go on two-day, one-night vacations across South Korea, generally with a Korean celebrity. To avoid punishments, they must play games, perform objectives, and collect rewards during the journey. The show is able to display a lot of Korean cultures as well as several of South Korea’s gorgeous places. The concept remains the same across the seasons, but because of the cast’s chemistry, it is always able to offer something fresh to the table. 1 Night 2 Days is a must-see for everyone who enjoys traveling and learning about Korean culture and cuisine.
One Night Two Days has gained much popularity and has garnered high viewer ratings. Along with The Return of Superman, the show’s third season helped revive and maintain KBS2 Happy Sunday ratings, beating out competition from other major networks since its first episode.
Original release: August 5, 2007 – present
Cast: Kim Jongmin, Yeon Junghoon, Moon Seyoon, Kim Seonho, DinDin, Ravi
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2737050
One Night Two Days
New Journey to the West
New Journey to the West is a South Korean travel-reality show that airs on tvN. This program started broadcasting on September 4, 2015, and has currently aired for 8 Seasons.
New Journey to the West began as a webcast, but by the second season, it had evolved into a television show. To obtain seven dragon balls, the cast must travel across Asia on assignments. If the cast is successful in obtaining all of the dragon balls, the producers will grant each member of the cast a wish. What sets this program apart from others is the interactions between the cast and the production crew. Each season is divided into themes, with the actors required to dress up in unusual outfits for the presentation.
Original release: 15 April 2016
Cast: Kang Hodong, Lee Soo Geun, Eun Ji Won, Ahn Jae Hyun, Mino, Cho Kyuhyun, PO
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7999918
New Journey to the West
Master in the House ( All the Butlers)
Master in the House is a South Korean television program that airs on SBS weekly on Sundays at 18:25 (KST) from December 31, 2017. Almost everyone wonders what life’s purpose and objective are. And the majority of successful people have distinct viewpoints and lives that set them apart from the crowd. Lee Seung Gi, Yang Se Hyeong, Shin Seong Rok, Kim Dong Hyun, and Cha Eun Woo are five young men who are popular in their own way but are looking for more. They’re looking to the masters of success to see what lessons they might take away and apply to their own lives.
The play is quite straightforward; the cast is taught by a master. It’s incredibly clever, and each episode teaches both the actors and the audience something new. A variety of masters may teach you a lot about Korean culture. Four guys make up the cast, who spend two days and one night with experts from various fields. Olympic athletes, award-winning performers, and even a Buddhist monk have all served as masters in the past. The presentation concludes with a challenge in which the guys compete to see who can master their new ability from the Master the fastest.
Original release: December 31, 2017 – present
Cast: Lee Seung-gi, Yang Se-hyung, Kim Dong-hyun, Yoo Su-bin
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015768
Master in the House ( All the Butlers)
The Return of Superman
The Return of Superman is a South Korean reality-variety show that airs on KBS2. The Return of Superman used to be one of the two segments on Happy Sunday. The original three episodes pilot aired as a Chuseok holiday special from September 19 till September 21 of 2013, starring Lee Hwi-jae, Choo Sung-hoon, Jang Hyun-sung. The show is narrated by entertainer/singer Yook Jung-wan and actress So Yoo-jin.
This is a fantastic program for parents to watch. The Return of Superman revolves around a father who is responsible for his children for two days. This implies that these fathers do not receive assistance from their mothers, resulting in amusing situations. Although many of the fathers are well-known Korean celebrities, it is the children that steal the show. The series is shot without the use of actors and with the use of concealed cameras. Every amusing and endearing moment filmed by these covert cameras is displayed. While they are on vacation, the mother gives the father a list of duties to perform. This program will appeal to everyone who enjoys viewing cute toddlers.
Original release: September 19, 2013 – present
Cast: Park Joo-ho, Park Hyun-bin, Sayuri Fujita
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5129382
The Return of Superman
I Live Alone (Home Alone)
I Live Alone, also known as Home Alone, is a South Korean entertainment program distributed and syndicated by MBC every Friday at 23:00 (KST).
In the same way, as The Return of Superman covers the daily lives of Korean superstars, I Live Alone does as well. The show, on the other hand, concentrates on Korean superstars who live alone. Currently, the show is shot in a documentary format and covers the daily lives of seven Korean superstars. The show does a fantastic job of offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Korean celebrities who live alone.
Original release: March 22, 2013 – present
Cast: Kian84, Park Narae, Henry Lau, Sung Hoon, Hwasa, Jun Hyunmoon, Key
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7997010
I Live Alone (Home Alone)
Weekly Idol
Weekly Idol is a South Korean variety show that debuted in 2011 and currently airs Wednesdays at 8:00 PM KST on MBC M, and 12:00 AM KST on MBC Every1. It is one of the longest-running variety shows to air on satellite TV in Japan. Because its major guest artists are K-Pop groups, Weekly Idol is unquestionably the most well-known variety program among K-Pop enthusiasts. Many of the bands on the show are promoting new albums or singles that have just been released. The show is well-liked since it is both an interview and a fun game show.
The hosts put the idols through a variety of entertaining games, such as Random Dance Play, the 99 Seconds Challenge, and even having to fit choreography from one song into another. As the idols attempt to complete their responsibilities, the audience laughs heartily. The idols also sing their most recent hit throughout the show.
Original release: July 23, 2011 – present
Running time: 60 minutes
Link to watch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3141676
Weekly Idol
My Little Old Boy
My Little Old Boy is a South Korean television entertainment program, distributed and syndicated by SBS every Sunday at 21:05 (KST). My Little Old Boy is a delightful film that combines comedy with the idea of being evaluated by your mother. The show’s core cast is a group of moms – and not just any mothers, but the mothers of prominent Korean celebrities. It is hosted by performers Shin Dong-Yup and Seo Jang-Hoon. Every episode has the mothers and hostesses delving into the lives of celebrities on a regular basis.
As the moms become irritated with their children, the hosts and actors frequently make statements that draw laughter. Kim Jong-Kook, a special cast member, singer, and performer, is well-known on the show. His mother’s dissatisfaction with his fixation with working out and lack of dating life is humorously depicted in the episode.
Current host: Shin Dong-yup, Seo Jang-hon
Original release: August 26, 2016 – present
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/id/tv-show/moms-diary-my-ugly-duckling/season-1
My Little Old Boy
