15 best Korean variety shows of all time: From Running Man to Master In The House

Below, find a carefully curated list of best Korean shows, that are far from heavy and complicated Korean dramas but are equally addictive and entertaining.

By Ayushi Balani

Updated on Sep 03, 2023 | 02:14 PM IST | 1.3M

Here is a brand new list of best Korean variety shows.

In this Article

1. Single's Inferno (2021)
2. We Got Married (2008)
3. Knowing Brothers (2015)
4. 2 Days 1 Night (2007)
5. Master In The House (2017)

If you have just finished watching an insanely complicated serious K-drama and are too shaken to start another deep K-drama, trust us, you need a Korean variety show to fill the void you have been feeling. The shows feature all your favorite Korean stars and idols in totally different avatars, living life, competing for challenges, and most of all entertaining by simply being themselves. That is precisely why, this time we have curated the ultimate list of top 15 Korean variety shows that introduce Korean stars with juicy but real-life storylines. In fact, if you have always loved light-hearted comedy, you have got to watch these.

Whether you are in the mood for a talk show, a variety show where celebs find love, a TV show with celebs competing for rewards, or a show with celebrity dads tending to their toddlers, this is your list. Not only are the enlisted shows, insanely addictive but they are easy-going and fun, just the perfect shows to distract you from your mundane life. So what are you waiting for? Scroll on and add your favorite variety of shows to your watchlist the right way.

15 Best Korean Variety Shows and Reality shows with their IMDb rating and OTT Platforms.

1. Single's Inferno (2021)

Genre: Reality television, Dating show, Variety show
Running Time: 57–82 minutes
Number of seasons: 2
Number of episodes: 18
Star Cast: Lindsey Rodriguez, Kim Jin Young, Jonathan Tanigaki
Created by: Kim Jae Won, Kim Na Hyun
Writer: Jae Won Kim , Kim Na Hyun
Year of release: 2021
Original network/OTT Platform: JTBC, Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

When it comes to the best Korean variety shows, JTBC’s Single's Inferno certainly deserves mentioning. The Korean dating show features the best of reality television. Released in the year 2021, the show features stars including Lindsey Rodriguez, Kim Jin Young, and Jonathan Tanigaki. The highly-rated show revolves around nine single individuals on an island, all on their mission to find their one true love. The twist is, the participants have limited amenities, no air conditioning, and no plumbing as well. The show is available on Netflix to stream.

2. We Got Married (2008)

Genre: Reality Television
Running Time: 1h 11m
Number of seasons: 4
Number of episodes: 373
Star Cast: Kim So Eun, Song Jae Rim, Jong Hyun Hong
Year of release: 2008
Original network/OTT Platform: MBC, Viki
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

This list of the best reality TV would have been incomplete without the 2008 MBC show titled We Got Married. The show has four iconic seasons, each better than the other. With over 373 episodes, it features the best of Kim So Eun, Jong Hyun Hong, and Song Jae Rim, among several others. The show is extremely interesting for the simple fact, it features Korean celebrities that are paired together to pretend that they are married. The show interestingly showcases fake marriages where the celebrities shouldn't get super invested. It is available on Viki to stream.

3. Knowing Brothers (2015)

Also Known as: Ask Us Anything, Men on a Mission
Genre: Comedy, Game Show, Reality TV
Running Time: 1h 40m
Number of episodes: 377
Star Cast: Ho Dong Kang, Jang Hoon Seo, Soo Geun Lee
Director: Kim Soo Ah, Jeong Seung Il, Yun Yeo Jun, Mun Min Jeong, Go Hye Jin, Heo Seo Mun
Writer: Jeong Yun Hui, Yoo Ji Hui, Hwang Seon Yeong, Choi Ji Yeong, Lee Ji Yeong, Jeon Min-hee, Kim Yeo-won
Year of release: 2015
Original network/OTT Platform: JTBC, Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Knowing Brothers is a 2015 comedy-themed game show that’s also known as Ask Us Anything, Men on a Mission. The JTBC show is a must-watch as it features a few of the most renowned Korean comedians and has even won several awards. This Korean reality show showcases a classroom setup where the hosts pretend to be students. The interesting part is, every week they welcome a new celebrity as a guest on the show that pretends to be a ‘transfer student.’ Featuring the best of Ho Dong Kang, Jang Hoon Seo, and Soo Geun Lee, the show has over 370 episodes that are available on Netflix to stream.

4. 2 Days 1 Night (2007)

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Number of episodes: 141
Star Cast: DinDin, Jong Min Kim, Yeon Jung Hoon
Director: Young Seok Na, Ho Jin Yu, Il Yong Yoo, Jae Hyung Choi, Sae Hee Lee
Year of release: 2007
Original network/OTT Platform: KBS2, Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Featuring the best of DinDin, Jong Min Kim, and Yeon Jung Hoon among several others, 2 Days 1 Night is another iconic show that we consider deserves a spot on the list of best Korean variety shows. The KBS2 show is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and features a plot where the cast members spend 2 days and 1 night in South Korea. The show follows the experiences of the cast members on their trips to eclectic locations around South Korea while they are given certain tasks and missions to win rewards and avoid penalties.

5. Master In The House (2017)

Also known as: All the Butlers
Genre: Reality Television, Variety Show
Running Time: 75–90 minutes
Number of seasons: 2
Number of episodes: 254
Star Cast: Lee Seung Gi, Yook Sung Jae, Lee Sang Yoon
Year of release: 2017
Original network/OTT Platform: SBS, Viki
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

Masters in the House also known as All the Butlers is another ongoing variety show that's definitely a hit Korean show that’s also enjoyed by audiences all across the world. The show features five hosts that comprise various well-known artists including artists and comedians among others. The SBS show is available on Viki to stream and features the best of Korean celebs like Lee Seung Gi, Yook Sung Jae, and Lee Sang Yoon among several others. The reality show features how five people spend some time with reputable figures from different fields who are referred to as "masters."

6. Busted! (2018)

Also Known as: Busted! I Know Who You Are!, The Culprit Is You
Genre: Comedy, Reality Television, Variety Show
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Number of seasons: 3
Number of episodes: 28
Star Cast: Yoo Jae Suk, Park Min Young, Se Hun Oh
Director: Jo Hyo Jin
Year of release: 2018
Original network/OTT Platform: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

Another Korean reality/variety show streaming on Netflix right now is Busted! also known as Busted! I Know Who You Are!, and The Culprit Is You. Released in the year 2018, the show features an all-Asian cast including Yoo Jae Suk, Park Min Young, and Se Hun Oh among several others. The show is the perfect blend of comedy, thrill, and mystery. Watch the show on Netflix to witness how the cast solves mysterious games.

7. I Live Alone (2013)

Also known as: Home Alone
Genre: Reality Television, Talk Show, Comedy
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Number of seasons: 1
Number of episodes: 497
Star Cast: Hyun Moo Jun, Kim Kwang Gyu, Yook Joong Wan
Director: Heo Hang
Year of release: 2013
Original network/OTT Platform: MBC TV, Plex TV, Viki
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

I Live Alone also known as Home Alone is an MBC TV show that features the best of Korean stars including Hyun Moo Jun, Kim Kwang Gyu, and Yook Joong Wan among others. With over 497 episodes, the 2013 show is directed by Heo Hang and has an IMDb rating of 8.8 out of 10. The show features the real life of Korean celebrities to showcase they are not too different from us.

8. House on Wheels (2020)

Genre: Reality TV, Travel
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Number of seasons: 4
Number of episodes: 35
Star Cast: Dong Il Sung, Kim Hee Won, Yeo Jin Gu
Year of release: 2020
Original network/OTT Platform: tvN, Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

This tvN show titled House on Wheels is another Korean Variety show that features the best of Korean stars including Dong Il Sung, Kim Hee Won, and Yeo Jin Gu. The Netflix show features a plot where the cast member travel through a house on wheels literally. Watch the show to go on a virtual vacation in South Korea with a lot of entertainment.

9. Hometown Flex (2020)

Genre: Game Show, Reality Television, Variety show
Running Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Number of episodes: 11
Star Cast: Han Hyo Joo, Jang Hyuk, Lee Seung Gi
Year of release: 2020
Original network/OTT Platform: tvN, Viki
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

Starring Han Hyo Joo, Jang Hyuk, and Lee Seung Gi, this tvN reality show is available on Viki to stream. The 2020 Korean reality show is definitely one of the best Korean variety shows. The tvN show features the brilliant star cast traveling across South Korea in order to entertain and explore the hometowns of distinct star guests. If you love traveling and Korea, this show is definitely the one for you.

10. The Return of Superman (2013)

Also known as: Superman Is Back, Superman Returns
Genre: Reality Television, Comedy
Running Time: 85-100 minutes
Number of episodes: 488
Star Cast: Sam Hammington, Shiho, Park Eun Bin
Year of release: 2013
Original network/OTT Platform: KBS2, Viki
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10

The 2013 Korean variety show also known as Superman Is Back and Superman Returns, certainly serves the best of reality television. The highly acclaimed KBS2 show features the best of Sam Hammington, Shiho, and Park Eun Bin. Available on Viki to stream, this certainly is one of the best Korean variety show that showcases celebrity dads for a complete 48-hour duration when they are left solitary with their adorable toddlers while their wives are away on vacation. The show will definitely make you go aw and manage to laugh out loud all at once.

11. Weekly Idol (2011)

Genre: Reality Television, Talk Show, Game Show, Variety Show
Running Time: 1 hour
Number of episodes: 622
Star Cast: Lee Je Hoon, Ryu Jun Yeol
Year of release: 2011
Original network/OTT Platform: MBC, Viki
IMDb Rating: 7.6 /10

This Korean show titled Weekly Idol is certainly another best Korean variety show ever created. The MBC show was released in 2011 and has over 622 episodes. The show features the best of Korean stars including Lee Je Hoon and Ryu Jun Yeol among several others. If you are a K-Pop fan, this show is created just for your amusement. The highly acclaimed show showcases distinct K-Pop groups as guests. The guests indulge in fun games and activities while promoting their upcoming songs. The show is also famous for activities like Random Dance Play, and 99 Seconds Challenge.

12. Our Little Summer Vacation (2020)

Also Known as: Summer Vacation
Genre: Reality Television
Running Time: 1 hour 30 min
Number of episodes: 11
Star Cast: Jung Yu Ni, Choi Woo Sik, Park Seo joo
Director: Young-Seok Na
Year of release: 2020
Original network/OTT Platform: tvN
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

The 2020 show titled Our Little Summer Vacation also known as Summer Vacation features the best of Korean stars including Jung Yu Mi, Choi Woo Sik, and Park Seo Joo among several others. The tvN show follows the celebrities and showcases their experiences when they move to a summer home away from Seoul. Watch this show to live vicariously through the celebrities’ summer dreams.

13. The Law of the Jungle (2011)

Genre: Reality Television
Running Time: 1 hour
Number of episodes: 452
Star Cast: Kim Jiwoo, Ricky Kim, Byung Man Kim
Director: Multi-directors
Year of release: 2023
Original network/OTT Platform: SBS, Plex TV
IMDb Rating: 8/10

With an IMDb rating of 8 out of 10, The Law of the Jungle is another reality show that features the best of stars like Kim Jiwoo, Ricky Kim, and Byung Man Kim among others. The SBS show has around 452 episodes and features how the comedian Kim Byung Man welcomes distinct celebrities including K-pop idols, along with other prominent actors on a remote island. The celebrity guests are then oppugned to live with limited resources.

14. Hangout with Yoo (2019)

Also Known as: How Do You Play?
Genre: Comedy, Reality Television, Variety Show
Running Time: 1 hour 10 min
Number of episodes: 150
Star Cast: Wonstein, So Yoon Hwang, Yoo Jae Suk
Year of release: 2019
Original network/OTT Platform: MBC TV, Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10

Hangout With Yoo also known as How Do You Play is another Korean reality show we highly vouch for. The show has an IMDb rating of 8.8 and features the best of Wonstein, So-yoon Hwang, and Yoo Jae Suk. Released in the year 2019, the MBC TV show is available on Amazon Prime Video to stream. Watch the show to be a part of a Korean celeb’s life and witness the behind-the-scenes of a celebrity life.

15. Running Man (2010)

Genre: Comedy, Game Show, Reality Television
Running Time: 1 hour 20 min
Number of seasons: 10
Number of episodes: 663
Star Cast: Yoo Jae Suk, Jong Kook Kim, Haha
Director: Choi Hyung-in
Year of release: 2010
Original network/OTT Platform: SBS, Plex TV, Viki
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10

We certainly saved the best for the last, as we end this list by mentioning Running Man. This 2010 show is certainly one of the best Korean reality shows of all time. The is directed by Choi Hyung-in and features the best of Yoo Jae Suk, Jong Kook Kim, and Haha among others. This fan-favorite show has 10 seasons and more than 600 episodes. It showcases celebrities as they perform to achieve missions around Seol as a team.

The world of Korean entertainment is growing every day and so is the list of the best Korean variety shows. The above-mentioned Korean variety and reality shows are certainly worth your time. In fact, all you need to do is start watching and we promise they have the power to keep you glued to your screen. Also, they serve as perfect in-between shows if you are an avid K-drama binge-watcher.

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