15 Recommended Korean Variety Shows Suitable for Self-Healing, Guaranteed to Boost Your Mood!

Kapanlagi.com - Written by: Lily Ariani

The entertainment industry presents many interesting shows. One of them is in the form of variety shows. Variety shows are one of the most popular programs among the public. Besides being a source of laughter, variety shows can be an escape after exhausting busy days.

Speaking of variety shows, it's hard not to mention the world of entertainment in South Korea. In addition to excelling in dramas and K-Pop, the South Korean entertainment industry consistently produces quality variety shows. Various variety show titles have graced the television screens and successfully attracted millions of fans.

From year to year, variety shows continue to increase. The concepts offered are increasingly diverse and varied. Here are 15 recommended Korean variety shows suitable for self-healing, guaranteed to boost your mood!

1. GRBB: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

tvN

At first glance, reading the title, you might imagine a variety show with a gardening or farming concept. Yup, you're not wrong. GRBB: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW captures the experiences and struggles of South Korean celebrities as beginner farmers.

This variety show is produced by Na PD, a producer who is already famous for his successful works in entertaining. Not only the producer is famous, the cast members are also too good to be missed. There are Do Kyung Soo (D.O. EXO), Kim Woo Bin, Kim Ki Bang, and Lee Kwang Soo who are known to be funny. So, don't worry if each episode will be boring.

2. ALL THE BUTLERS

SBS

This variety show has been airing since 2017 and consistently presents quality entertainment. ALL THE BUTLERS even becomes one of the most sought-after variety shows in 2023. In addition, this show, which is produced by PD Kim Jung Wook, also won the Best Entertainment Variety Show Award.

In this show, the cast members appear as prominent figures from various fields. They have a mission to explore knowledge and wisdom. K-Lovers will be presented with funny and hilarious group dynamics. The regular members of this variety show consist of Lee Seung Gi, Yang Se Hyung, Kim Dong Hyun, Eun Ji Won, and Do Young.

3. MEENOI'S YORIZORI

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If K-Lovers don't want to be bothered, there is a variety show that can be watched for free on YouTube. One of them is MEENOI'S YORIZORI. For those who don't know, Meenoi is a South Korean singer with a Hip-Hop K-R&B genre. Even though he is a singer, Meenoi is also talented in hosting entertainment shows.

But, don't be surprised. The concept of MEENOI'S YORIZORI itself portrays Meenoi as a sarcastic, fierce, and likes to roast the guests. You will be amused by his savage behavior that will make you laugh. MEENOI'S YORIZORI features many famous stars such as Lee Dong Wook, Kim Go Eun, Lee Hi, and Hwa Sa.

4. THE GAME CATERERS

mydramalist.com

Still in the category of variety shows that are aired on YouTube, the next title is THE GAME CATERERS. Just like GRBB: YOU REAP WHAT YOU SHOW, this variety show is produced by Na PD. The difference is, THE GAME CATERERS presents a different cast in each episode and does not have permanent members.

Later, the cast will participate in several games to win prizes. Some of the games often featured include Shouting in Silence, Guess Who, and Random Play Dance. THE GAME CATERERS usually invites actors, actresses, or idols from the same agency.

5. HOUSE ON WHEELS

tvN

Ever imagined living in a mobile house? For those who haven't experienced it, HOUSE ON WHEELS gives an idea of what it's like to live in a house that can move and change locations. This show adopts the trend of traveling with minimal and minimalist belongings.

In HOUSE ON WHEELS, the cast builds a portable house and invites guests to stay with them. They also travel all over South Korea. So far, HOUSE ON WHEELS has released four seasons with regular hosts Sung Do Il and Kim Hee Won.

6. APARTMENT 404

tvN

If you want something fresh and newly released, here's APARTMENT 404! APARTMENT 404 is a program hosted by Jung Cheol Min and Shin So Young, producers who have also worked on RUNNING MAN. This variety show features famous celebrities such as Jennie BLACKPINK, Yoo Jae Seok, Cha Tae Hyun, Oh Na Ra, Lee Jung Ha, and Yang Se Chan.

In APARTMENT 404, the cast members live together. However, they also have a mission to investigate strange incidents and uncover the truth behind them. The first season of APARTMENT 404 has finished airing with a total of 8 episodes.

7. 2 DAYS & 1 NIGHT

KBS2

2 DAYS & 1 NIGHT is a South Korean variety show that has achieved high ratings. This achievement is certainly due to the quality entertainment provided. 2 DAYS & 1 NIGHT is a variety show with the concept of Real Wild Road Variety. The cast members will travel and recommend interesting places to the viewers.

During their adventures, the cast members will also play games and complete specific missions to win prizes. Even something as simple as a bed can become a bet. So far, 2 DAYS & 1 NIGHT has had several cast changes. However, the chemistry among the cast members remains solid and the quality of entertainment provided has never decreased.

8. BUSTED!

Netflix

BUSTED! is a variety show produced by Netflix and released in 2018. BUSTED! combines mystery with comedy. The cast members have to investigate a case and gather clues to solve the problem.

BUSTED! is starred by top celebrities such as Yoo Jae Suk, Ahn Jae Wook, Kim Jong Min, Kim Se Jeong, and Sehun from EXO. This variety show has aired up to its third season with a total of 28 episodes.

9. GOING SEVENTEEN

VLIVE

Really, you can't miss this variety show. GOING SEVENTEEN is one of the most popular variety shows. You can watch it for free on the YouTube platform. In each episode, GOING SEVENTEEN presents the members of the Seventeen group involved in various activities, from games to funny sketches.

The advantage of GOING SEVENTEEN is the natural and funny behavior of its members. Despite being idols, S.Coups and his friends are never pretentious. They always provide entertaining and hilarious content. Through GOING SEVENTEEN, the members also showcase their family-like bond and solid chemistry as a group.

10. I LIVE ALONE

MBC

Gallup Korea once recorded I LIVE ALONE as the best TV show. This variety show aired on MBC has even achieved the top rating for reality shows on Fridays for 30 consecutive weeks.

I LIVE ALONE combines documentary and variety show concepts. Viewers are invited to delve into the lives of celebrities through real-life portraits. I LIVE ALONE features several celebrities as the main cast, such as Kian84, Hwa Sa, Code Kunst, Lee Jang Woo, Park Na Rae, Jun Hyun Moo, and many more.

11. NEW JOURNEY TO THE WEST

Naver

Since its first airing on September 4, 2015, NEW JOURNEY TO THE WEST has gained a lot of recognition. This variety show has successfully aired eight full seasons with many unique and unforgettable stories.

The show is inspired by the classic Chinese novel titled NEW JOURNEY TO THE WEST. Each season comes with a different atmosphere. The cast members will wear costumes of iconic characters and explore many places starting from Xian, Chengdu, Guilin, Vietnam, to Hong Kong.

12. NO PREPARE

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The show hosted by rapper Youngji once went viral and became the most popular variety show. NO PREPARE is actually a casual talk show while enjoying food and drinks. However, Youngji's humor entertained many viewers.

Youngji herself is able to bring a casual talk show that is not boring. Her funny behavior always manages to make people laugh. Some celebrities who have appeared as guests on this show include Jisoo BLACKPINK, Karina aespa, Soobin TXT, Park Bo Young, and many more.

13. THREE MEALS A DAY

tvN

THREE MEALS A DAY is a variety show created by Na PD that was released in December 2014. The show features a different cast each season. THREE MEALS A DAY itself focuses on the concept of cooking.

The players will live together in a rural area for three days. There, they must cook three meals a day. However, the ingredients used must be obtained from their own farmland.

14. KNOWING BROTHERS

JTBC

When discussing South Korean variety shows, KNOWING BROTHERS should not be missed. This variety show, which has been airing since 2015, features a school concept. The regular members will play as brothers who welcome new students (guest stars of the show).

This creative concept is expected to create spontaneous closeness between the regular members and guest stars. The segments presented are diverse, designed to allow viewers and regular members to get to know the guest stars on a deeper level.

15. RUNNING MAN

SBS

Last, there is RUNNING MAN. This variety show is undoubtedly popular. Despite undergoing multiple concept changes, RUNNING MAN never fails to provide quality entertainment.

Usually, RUNNING MAN invites actors or idols as guest stars. The cast then forms teams to complete certain game missions. Until now, RUNNING MAN has collaborated with many celebrities to become regular members. These celebrities include Yoo Jae Suk, Ha Ha, Ji Seok Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Song Ji Hyo, and Yang Se Chan.

(kpl/lly)