Sunday 22 June 2014

Variety Shows

So it's finally hot outside, and I'm actually not too busy, so I'm finally going to write a post! So, I was like deciding whether or not to do song reviews, but I wanted to do something new, so I got the idea to share with you some of my favourite popular or not as popular variety shows. Warning, I watch variety a lot, because you don't need to continuously watch many episodes to catch up. Okay, let's get started!

Variety shows are different from other medias, and they are usually much more casual. The shows aren't usually scripted, so what you hear is real. Also, variety shows provide humour that you just wont feel when watching a melodrama or whatnot. Lastly, variety shows give you a thrill. Members in the show really make you feel like you are playing the games or having conversations with them!

Running Man

So Running man was the first variety show I watched. Running man is from the SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System). I started watching since 2011, and from that day on, I have been clearing my monday schedule to watch an episode of running man goodness. Running man consists of 7 members. The Nation's MC Yoo Jae Suk, 90's singer Kim Jong Kook, Lee Kwang Soo (the tall guy on City Hunter), Song Ji Hyo (actor on Emergency Couple), Haha (failed singer), Ji Suk Jin (MC), Gary (Singer from Lessang). Each member has a special characteristics and their unique personalities produce the most amazing variety group ever!

This show is basically a show where the members play different types of games and complete different missions per episode. The show has different themes each episode and their are usually celebrity guests as well!   Some of my favourite episodes include the Running Man Olympics, where many celebrities are invited. The episode shows the members battling against the idols in different sporty missions! Another episode I really enjoy episode 100!

In conclusion, despite their decreasing viewer ratings, running man is a show dear to my heart, and I will keep watching. If you were to start watching variety, I would definitely suggest starting off with a few Running Man episodes!

Running Man can be watched on various online sites including Dramafever, and youtube.



Gag Concert (KBS)

Gag Concert is broadcasted on KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) Gag Concert is an extremely hilarious show. I'm not sure this really counts as variety, but I really wanted to include it. Gag Concert is made of many different members. In the show, their are several different acts which are called segments. These acts usually have the same formula every episode, but the acts aren't continuous, therefore you don't need to watch every episode. This may seem very confusing so I'm going to create a thorough explanation.

So theres an act called Forever alone. There are two actors, and they basically make hilarious jokes about being alone (it's funnier when watched). The forever alone segment is in every episode, every week, same actors, just different jokes about being alone. Basically, Gag Concert has the same segments every week, but the segments aren't continuous and they come up with new skits every week with the same actors. I know I'm really bad with explanations. :(

There are too many actors for me to talk about individually. You can become an actor on Gag Concert by taking the Comedian test. It's actually really hard to pass! Anyways, some actors make it bigger than others. The actors who make it big usually have famous roles in the concert. The segments usually end after a year, and new segments come in. Some notable actors are Shin Bora, Jimin, Gyeonghwan, and You Minsang.

In conclusion, Gag Concert is a great show for families to watch together. If your Korean, the show is even funnier as there are many jokes using the korean language that only speakers can understand! Go watch Gag Concert if you need some humour and good laughs!

Gag Concert can be found on youtube in the KBS World Channel.




The Human Condition (KBS)

The Human Condition is a show where members are given one mission per episode. These missions usually have something to do with saving the economy or environment. For example, there are living without trash challenges, living without chemicals, living without meat, and more. I really love this variety show because aside from being hilarious, it educates us on the importance of things and teaches why we should preserve our stuff!

Overall, the Human Condition is a great show with some insane members. It is a great show, and it wont disappoint you!

The Human Condition can be found on youtube in the KBS World Channel.



Hello Counselor (KBS)

I'm not sure if Hello Counselor is really considered a variety show, but I'm going to talk about it anyways. Hello Counselor consists of hosts Lee Youngja, Park Shin Dong,.  The show basically has up to four concerned citizens who have concerns about their friends, home, themselves, etc. The hosts try to help them, but the show still has it's comedic properties. Though the concerns look serious sometimes, the hosts make the show very enjoyable and happy.

Overall, Hello Counselor is a hilarious show that shows audiences like us that though we go through struggles, we can solve them through communication.

Hello Counselor can be found on youtube in the KBS World Channel.




Happy Together 3 (KBS)

Happy Together 3 consists of members or hosts Yoo Jae Suk, Park Myung Soo, Park Mi Sun, and Shin Bon Sung. The show takes place in a korean sauna setting and every week celebrity guests are invited. The first section of the show is absolutely hilarious and basically the celebrities talk without the hosts about many things including, promotional activities, life, romance, and more. In the second part of the episode, celebrities move into a sauna themed kitchen where they are to bring new and innovative recipes for the Late Night Snack Cafeteria. The guest with the yummiest looking food item wins a spot on the famous wall in the cafeteria with their name and dish on it!

Overall, this show is great for people who are interested in learning more about a celeb, or people who want some recipe ideas for late night snacks! The show is hilarious and I find myself laughing alot!

Happy Together 3 can be found on youtube in the KBS World Channel.



1 Night 2 Days (KBS)

1 Night 2 Days consist of members Kim Jong-min, Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Joo-hyuk, Kim Junho, Defconn and Jung Joon-young. I believe the show is on it's season three and has gone through major member changes. Season 2 honestly wasn't that great, and when I was about to give up watching this show, season 3 came out. This season is extremely awesome. The new producer is very good at making the show enjoyable.

This show shows members travelling through historic or nature areas in Korea. The members participate in challenges that allow the winning team to taste food of the provinces they visit in Korea, and the sleeping arrangements.  The punishments are harsh, but this show literally makes me fall off my chair from laughing. The show usually has two episodes per travel, and every travel is 1 night and 2 days, hence the name of the show.

Overall, this is one of my favourite variety shows ever and the show educates the audience about food, culture, and nature in Korea and I highly suggest you watch it!

 1 Night 2 Days can be found on youtube in the KBS World Channel, and even on Dramafever!



Infinity Challenge (MBC)

Infinity Challenge consists of members Yoo Jae Suk, Jung Hyung Don, Jung Jun Hwa, Haha, Myung Soo, and Noh Hong Chul.  The show basically has different challenges for the members each week including cheerleading challenges, and modeling challenges. The challenges are started in one episode, and usually finish in later episodes.

Overall, the show is very amazing, and it introduces audience to new challenges and ideas or activities to get rid of boredom! Infinity Challenge is a great family show and is very hilarious!

Infinity Challenge can be viewed online usually by searching up the words infinity Challenge ep ___!




Weekly Idol (MBC)

Weekly Idol consists of the duo, Park Hyung Don, and Defconn.
The show invites different idols every week and they participate in activities, games, and a talking segments. The show is relatively short, and it's great for people who want to learn more about specific idols, or idol groups.

Overall, this show is very awesome, and I really love both hosts!

Weekly Idol can be found on youtube.