Variety Shows

Variety Shows are a BIG thing in Korea. In any of the dramas you watch you will most likely find one of the characters watching a variety show. If I had to define what a Korean variety show was I would say that it is a reality show with many missions and challenges. There are many reasons as to why Variety Shows are a BIG hit in Korea, but I will just give you Four.

1. Celebrities Tend to Be On Them. A major reason as to why Variety Shows are very popular is because a lot of celebrities are on them. Aside from the main cast (of famous people) a lot of the guest stars are exactly that, stars. From K-Pop Idols to athletes, Korean variety shows are stacked with special appearances. And one you watch a lot of Dramas you will be able to notice these stars. (I know I get excited when I see someone I notice on a show)
2. Variety of Variety Show. A lot of American reality shows are the same. Following the lives of famous people and watching all the drama in their life. Yeah, that's boring and one of the reason why I do not watch American reality TV. In Korean, variety shows offer a wide range of themes for their shows. From completing missions to watching idols debut their new music, their is definitely a variety show for everyone. 
3. They Work Hard. The celebrities who take part in these variety shows do so much its ridiculous. Not only do they shoot these shows in the same days for hours but they also have their own schedules to do. For actors and idols, they usually take part in these shows in addition to their already busy schedule. So, just knowing that fact makes you want to watch and support them.
4. They Are Just Very Entertaining! This is probably the most important reason as to why variety shows are popular and 100% better than American reality TV. The things that these celebrities do on some of these shows are crazy and a lot of work. A show to reference would be Running Man or Busted. You would not see most American A-Listers take part in the challenges that these Korean A-Listers do. And on top of that, they are hilarious! 

Here is a list of Variety shows that I have watched or am still watching. Some of these shows have been on for years and are still going incredibly strong.

• Busted《범인은 바로  너》
• The Return of Superman《슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다》
• Knowing Bros/Ask Us Anything/Men On a Mission《아는 형님》
• Running Man《런닝맨 》
• Idol Star Athletics Championship《아이돌스타 육상 선수권 대회》
• Weekly Idol《주간 아이돌》
• Inkigayo《인기가요》
• It's Dangerous Beyond the Blankets《이불 밖은 위험해》