We’re really getting closer to one of the most important Korean celebrations of the year! Seollal (설날), or more commonly known as Lunar New Year, is one of the most significant celebrations of Korean culture! This special holiday commemorates the first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar and takes place over the span of several days.
As part of this celebration, we will be releasing an article series on Korean actors, personalities, and idols who were born in the Year of the Rabbit, as well as Korean dramas and shows that center around this topic. We’ll be categorizing these series as either “K-Dramas,” “K-Variety,” or “K-Pop.” Last week, we already started with K-Dramas, and now we’ll talk about K-Variety shows that are perfect to watch this season!
Shows with Rabbit Born Cast
“Master in the House“
One of the most loved SBS variety shows right now is “Master In The House!” It’s a reality show where the “butlers” (the cast) spend two days and one night with prominent personalities from various fields (the “Masters”) to learn from them and acquire insight into their own life. One of the original cast members of this show is Lee Seung Gi born in the Year of the Rabbit!
“Battle Trip“
Kim Sook, who was born in the Year of the Rabbit, stars in the Korean variety show “Battle Trip,” which is perfect if you’re interested in travel-related topics. Competition between two teams of celebrity travelers that explore a destination based on a given theme while sharing useful travel knowledge and insider tips with viewers. At the end of the episode, there will be a winner between the two groups who has a better trip in the end!
“I Am Solo“
If you’ve watched the recently concluded NETFLIX reality dating show, “Single’s Inferno 2” then “I Am Solo,” which has Year of the Rabbit star Song Hae Na, should be your next watch. This is a hyper-realistic dating show where singles with marriage goals meet and attempt to find lasting relationships.
“Dopojarak: Story of Homme the K-Wanderer“
If you can’t get enough of South Korea and want to visit the country in the future, Year of the Rabbit Hwang Dae Heon’s “Dopojarak: Story of Homme the K-Wanderer” should be your next Korean variety show to watch. This variety show follows five men, each with a distinct personality and background, as they tour the world to spread South Korean culture.
“The Master Key“
One of the best interactive Korean variety programs has Lee Su Geon and 11 other participants searching Master Village for 12 keys, one for each player, and then going to the Room of Fate to see if their key is one of the two Master Keys. It’s a show about finding out who has the Master Key and they will get clues as they play each round!
Best Korean Variety Shows To Watch
“Running Man“
The number one spot goes to “Running Man,” which is a Korean variety program that has gained massive international popularity. After more than a decade on the air, I believe that everyone has seen at least one episode of this remarkable series. The cast of Running Man, including Yu Jae Seok, Song Ji Hyo, Kim Jong Kook, and more, plays a variety of activities each week based on the show’s theme, all while keeping the audience entertained.
I have been a fan of this show, and I must say it’s really one of the best, or probably the best, Korean variety shows out right now. This drama always features new concepts, and there’s really no dull moment while watching “Running Man“! Plus, the cast’s chemistry with one another is the best.
“2 Days 1 Night“
This one is also perfect to watch with the family! For its fourth season, the South Korean travel variety show “2 Days 1 Night” has sent its cast and crew on a wide range of adventures across the country. In addition, participants complete tasks during specific meal times or times of the day in order to receive benefits and avoid penalties. The cast’s closeness makes the competitions entertaining, and it’s an added bonus that viewers get to see some of Korea’s top tourist attractions.
“The Return of Superman“
I’m sure a lot of people have already heard of this show centered on cute babies and children! The concept of “The Return of Superman” is to meet adorable kids as they hang out with their famous fathers. The fathers are either performing tasks their wives have written out for them to complete or they are just enjoying new fun activities to better bond with their kids. Usually, the father’s celebrity friends will appear while the father and children are hanging out!
Korean variety will never let you down with how it can provide us with the kind of entertainment we all need! Probably the best thing about all of this is, all the shows I mentioned above are available on KOCOWA! I’m sure you already know what shows you are watching this Lunar New Year!
