The Perfect Guide for Beginner-Friendly Korean Variety Shows

If you’re starting to feel a little disconnected from K-pop or burned out from binge-watching back-to-back K-dramas, you’re not alone. It might just be time for a “fan hiatus.”

Yes, just like idols take breaks for their mental and physical health, we fans need a breather too. Instead of stepping away from Korean content altogether, why not switch gears? Dive into the world of Korean variety and dating shows—they’re light, hilarious, full of heart, and a whole new vibe. Trust me, you’ll feel refreshed in no time.

Here’s your beginner-friendly guide to the top Korean variety shows that can reignite your love for Korean entertainment in 2025.

Guide to the Top Korean Variety Shows

1. Running Man

Aired since: 2010 | Episodes (as of June 2024): 707+
Where to watch: SBS, Viki

Often referred to as the legend of Korean variety shows, Running Man has maintained its popularity for over a decade. Hosted by national MC Yoo Jae-suk, alongside cast favorites like Song Ji-hyo, Haha, and Jee Seok-jin, this show is a fun blend of missions, games, chaos, and camaraderie.

And yes, K-drama actors like Song Joong-ki, Jeon So-min, and Kang Hoon have made appearances, making it a fun crossover experience for drama fans.

2. Knowing Bros (Ask Us Anything)

Setting: A classroom
Where to watch: JTBC, Netflix

Set in a high school classroom with the cast as students, each episode welcomes celebrity “transfer students” (guest stars) who showcase their talent, humor, and stories in a hilarious, unscripted format. Expect roasting, ridiculous questions, and lots of iconic K-pop and drama star cameos. It’s a fan-favorite for a reason.

3. Jinny’s Kitchen

Aired: 2023
Where to watch: Prime Video

Are you ARMY? You might’ve heard about the fan who quietly passed a sweet note to V (Kim Taehyung) during filming—yes, that was on Jinny’s Kitchen!

The show features Lee Seo-jin, Jung Yu-mi, Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik, and BTS’s V as they run a Korean street food restaurant in Bacalar, Mexico. It’s wholesome, hilarious, and will make you crave tteokbokki.

4. All the butlers (Master in The house)

Where to watch: SBS, Viki

Ready for life lessons, emotional moments, and unexpected comedy? In All the Butlers, the cast spends time with a new “master” every episode—a successful figure from various fields—to learn, grow, and take on quirky challenges.

The current cast includes Yang Se-hyung, Kim Dong-hyun, Eun Ji-won, Doyoung (NCT), BamBam (GOT7), and Lee Dae-ho, with past members like Cha Eun-woo and Lee Seung-gi adding to its legacy.