Popular Korean Variety Shows To Watch In 2021

We all love a good Korean drama, but sometimes I do need a break. Korean dramas are so intense that I can't even look away from the screen sometimes. I can't eat without missing the best parts!

Variety shows in Korea are incredibly different from Western variety shows. I would say that they're more innocent and playful rather than your average American drama-filled shows. 

I absolutely love watching Korean variety shows for their feel-good moments and slapstick humor. It's great for casual viewing or even as a background tv show. 

Also, if you're into Kpop idols and actors, then you'll love these! You'll get to know the stars' personalities' and how they are in a more natural environment.

Here are some shows that I have been enjoying this year. 

SING AGAIN
싱어게인

JTBC

As you can tell from the title, it's a singing competition. It is produced by the same staff of the show, Sugarman. The Sugarman series is a platform for singers and artists who weren't able to put a name out for themselves after creating viral songs. 

It's essentially bringing back one-hit-wonders for a second chance.

Sing Again has a similar premise to their previously produced show, but not all artists had successful or viral songs. The show brings in 71 singers in various categories or genres (OST, ballads, rock, pop, etc), and they showcase a song that they have sung or written.

Also, all singers are nameless and are renamed as a number. The singer is unable to reveal their real name unless they lose or win the entire show. It's a great way for artists to become viral or at least gain recognition for their music. 

This show is hosted by Lee Seung-Gi featuring revered judges, Lee Sun-Hee, Yoo Hee-Yeol, Kim Ea-Na, Jeon In-Kwon, Sunmi, Lee Haeri, Mino from Winner, and Kyu-Hyun from Super Junior.

The winner receives 100 million won, backing for a song release, and their very own concert.

SHOWTERVIEW WITH JESSI!
제시의 쇼! 터뷰

SBS Mobidic

This is a short-form series released on YouTube with SBS Mobidic's channel. SBS Mobidic is where SBS releases web series with various celebrities, idols, and comedians.

In 2020, they began an interview-style variety show called Showterview with Jessi! For about 10 to 30 minutes, Jessi invites various members from the entertainment industry, and they have a fun, lighthearted interview. 

It involves games, unique questioning methods, general movie or new release information from the guest, and a whole lot of personality from the P-Nation star, Jessi. 

SBS Mobidic

Jessi really brings out the guest's real personalities, and she makes them feel comfortable where they can comfortably laugh at each other and have fun. She makes interviews feel less like a job and more like a hangout between two friends. 

I really feel like I'm just hanging out with Jessi and her celebrity friends.

Jessi has interviewed celebrities like Hyna, Solar, Haha, Eric Nam, Joon Park, Chungha, Yoo Jae-Suk, and more.

BUSTED!
범인은 바로 너

Busted! is a Netflix Original co-produced with Sangsang Company (produced shows like Running Man).

Fun Fact: This was Netflix's first Netflix Original program featuring a full Korean cast.

Although this show is technically a variety program, parts of the show are scripted because of the base storyline the cast follows.

The base plot follows a seven-person cast that is part of a secret operation called Project D, led by a man known as "K". The cast act as detectives and solves cases in each episode, which also gives the clue to figuring out the mystery of Project D.

What is this show exactly? Think of an escape room game, but it's city-wide. Then drop in 7 celebrities into the game.

The cast includes Yoo Jae-Suk, Ahn Jae-Wook, Kim Jong-Min, Lee Kwang-Soo, Park Min-Young, Oh Se-Hun, Kim Se-Jeong, and Lee Seung-Gi. 

Yes, the show is scripted to an extent, but the cast ACTUALLY has to solve the cases on their own, and it's fun to see the banter between the group. 

MASTER IN THE HOUSE
집사부 일체

Master In The House is personally one of my favorite shows to watch. The show began at the end of 2017 in December and is continued to this day.

Our cast members spend about two days with famous figures in Korea. These famous guests are reputable members of their industry, and it varies from educational professionals, business moguls, to well-respected singers and actors. 

We follow the lives of these "masters" with the cast to learn about their lives and try to gain wisdom and knowledge from them. 

Keep in mind that these cast members aren't just ordinary people themselves, they are also known in their industry, so it's fun to see people we see as reputable people become starstruck by the guests. 

The casts aren't the only ones that learn and gain knowledge; I have learned so much from the guests they bring in, and I love that they bring in professionals from all kinds of industries.

Also, the cast has such great chemistry, and they truly feel like brothers to each other. I love the relationship between the group.

During the first three seasons, we follow cast members: Lee Seung-Gi, Yang Se-Hyung, Lee Sang-Yoon, and Yook Sung-Jae (BtoB). In 2020, Lee Sang-Yoon and Yook Sung-Jae were replaced by Shin Sung-Rok, Kim Dong-Hyun, and Cha Eun-Woo (Astro).

Some masters that were featured in the show were: BoA, Cha In-Pyo, Son Ye-Jin, Park Jin-Young (JYP), Namgoong Hoon (CEO of Kakao Games), Lee Dong-Gook, and more. 

THE RETURN OF SUPERMAN
슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다

KOCOWA TV

Dare I say, the cutest show ever? We follow celebrity dads taking care of their kids without the help of anyone else for 48 hours. Their significant other is sent off to get time to relax during that time. The kids do not get to see their mother until after 48 hours.

During this time, the dads and children are off to accomplish their tasks created by the moms. It's a fun and incredibly cute show, full of cute babies and their dads exploring new activities and adventures.

It really shows how reliant we are on mothers in Korean culture and maybe all of the world. When the dads first start this show, all the kids do is look and wonder where their mother has gone. 

Throughout the show, we see the dads truly bond with their children, and also really appreciate all that their wives do. 

I love watching the little nuggets grow up, and how can you ever say no to cute babies? 

KBS World

The original cast started off with, Jang Hyun-Sung, Tablo, Yoshiro Akiyama, and Lee Hwi-Jae. 

The current cast consists of, Sam Hammington, Park Joo-Ho, and Hong Kyung-Min. 

These are just a few Korean variety shows that I have thoroughly enjoyed and continue to love. If I missed any, please recommend me because I'm always up to watch new shows. Some that are on my list are Hangout with Yoo, Romantic Call Center, and The Manager. I haven't started yet, but would you recommend these three?

I've also learned about so many new personalities because of shows like this, and have become a total stan. 

If you do watch these shows, who's your favorite guest star and why?