If you’ve reached the point where every K-drama feels suspiciously familiar and even K-pop comebacks aren’t giving you that spark anymore, congratulations—you’ve officially hit fan burnout.
It happens. We binge. We obsess. We emotionally invest in fictional characters as if it’s a full-time job. And just like idols take hiatuses, fans in 2026 need one too.
But don’t panic. You don’t need to abandon Korean content entirely.
You just need to pivot—straight into the chaotic, comforting world of Korean variety shows, where no one is pretending to be a CEO, nobody’s dying dramatically, and laughter is basically guaranteed.
A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Korean Variety Shows (2026 Edition)
Source: IMDb
1. Running Man
Aired since: 2010 | Episodes (as of June 2024): 707+
Where to watch: SBS, Viki
Yes, it’s still running. No, we don’t know how either. Running Man remains the blueprint for chaos, missions, betrayals, and friendships that feel more real than most drama romances.
Hosted by Yoo Jae-suk and supported by a legendary cast, the show continues to welcome actors, athletes, and idols, making it a perfect crossover for drama fans easing into variety content.
2. Knowing Bros (Ask Us Anything)
Setting: A classroom
Where to watch: JTBC, Netflix
A classroom setting, zero discipline, and maximum roasting. Celebrities show up as “transfer students” and immediately regret it—in the best way possible.
Expect savage questions, viral moments, and endless K-pop idol appearances proving once again that comedians fear no fandom.
3. Jinny’s Kitchen
Aired: 2023
Where to watch: Prime Video
Still one of the most comforting shows ever created. Jinny’s Kitchen follows actors and idols running a Korean restaurant abroad, reminding us that watching celebrities struggle with food service is oddly therapeutic.
Featuring Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik, Jung Yu-mi, Lee Seo-jin, and BTS’s V, it’s wholesome, funny, and guaranteed to make you hungry at 2 a.m.
4. All the butlers (Master in The house)
Where to watch: SBS, Viki
This show blends life lessons, emotional growth, and accidental comedy as the cast learns from a new “master” each episode.
With a rotating cast that includes athletes, entertainers, and idols, it’s equal parts inspirational and unintentionally hilarious—because self-improvement is funnier when you’re bad at it first.
Bonus Picks for 2026 (Because Variety Addiction Isn’t Going Away)
If you’re ready to spiral further into Korean variety shows chaos:
- Culinary Class Wars (Season 2) – The chef wars are back with more cutthroat cooking, dramatic judging, and contestants questioning every life choice they’ve ever made.
- Single’s Inferno (Season 5) – Sun, sand, slow-burning flirting, and emotional breakdowns by the fire pit. Somehow still addictive. Somehow still stressful.
- Agents of Mystery (Season 2) – A variety show where solving bizarre puzzles feels oddly intense, even though absolutely nothing is at stake.
- Extreme 84 – Kian84 and friends take on physically brutal challenges that blur the line between motivation and pure suffering. Watch while seated. Preferably with snacks.
- Bogum Magic Curl – Park Bo-gum opens a countryside hair salon, delivering peak wholesomeness, accidental therapy sessions, and zero chaos—for balance.
Final Thoughts on Your Korean Variety Shows
If K-dramas feel exhausting and K-pop feels overwhelming, variety shows are your soft reset. Korean variety shows don’t demand emotional commitment—they just want you to laugh, snack, and relax.
So yes, take that drama detox. Start with Running Man, get cozy with Jinny’s Kitchen, and remember: sometimes the best Korean content is just people being chaotic and hungry on camera.
0 Comments