Top 10 Most Popular Korean Entertainment TV Shows

Infinity Challenge is a reality TV show that rivals the popularity of Running Man and truly represents the heart of South Korea's entertainment industry. As the name suggests, Infinity Challenge pushes its participants to overcome incredibly daring and often hilarious challenges designed by the producers. The show has provided audiences with countless funny, touching, and sometimes bizarre moments.

Infinity Challenge became a household name with its original lineup of seven members, including Yoo Jae Suk (the nation's MC), Park Myung Soo, HaHa, Jung Hyung Don, Noh Hong Chul, Gil, and Jung Jun Ha. However, after some members departed, the show introduced new cast members, including Kwang Hwang Hee and Yang Se Hyung. Infinity Challenge filmed in numerous locations across South Korea and internationally, with episodes shot in places like India and New Zealand. With over 500 episodes aired, it maintained steady ratings and attracted a loyal fanbase, thanks to its talented production team and the charismatic personalities of its cast.

Despite being a long-running staple, the show aired its final episode on March 31, 2018, marking the end of a 13-year journey. In the final moments, the members shared heartfelt goodbyes, leaving fans with unforgettable memories of their time together.

Produced by KBS, 2 Days 1 Night first aired on August 5, 2007. In this show, the cast members—Seung Woo, Shung Shi Kyung, Lee Su Geun, Uhm Tea Woong, Kim Jong Min, Cha Tea Huyn, and Moon Joo Won—travel to different parts of South Korea for two days and one night. During their trip, they engage in various humorous and challenging games that keep the audience laughing. Alongside the fun, the show showcases the beautiful landscapes of South Korea, as well as offering insights into the country's unique culture and cuisine.

The show’s slogan, 'Real Wild Road Variety,' reflects its aim to introduce viewers to popular and hidden destinations in South Korea. Each trip is typically filmed two weeks prior to airing. Despite changes in the cast over the years, 2 Days 1 Night has largely kept its original format. The members frequently travel across the country, including to several remote islands, where they complete tasks, earn points, enjoy local delicacies, and try to avoid penalties such as being doused with water.

The Return of Superman is a beloved reality show aired by KBS that became a massive hit, holding the top rating in its time slot for an impressive 47 consecutive weeks. The show features celebrity fathers who are tasked with caring for their children alone for two days while their wives are away, without any external assistance.

During the 48-hour period, these dads must either complete tasks set by their wives or bond with their children through fun activities like swimming lessons, ballet, and baking. The program also includes celebrity friends of the fathers who visit to interact with the kids. With the charming innocence and humor of the children, along with the fathers' witty and often hilarious antics, the show delivers countless laughs and has garnered immense popularity among Korean audiences.

Weekly Idol is a popular variety show that originally premiered on February 23, 2011. Hosted by the famous comedian Jeong Hyeong Don and rapper Defconn, the show features a series of fun challenges for K-pop idols. The program consists of two main segments: 'Real Chart! Idol Self-Ranking' where idols are asked to rank themselves or each other on various topics, and 'Idol of the Week,' in which guest idol groups perform talents, engage in light-hearted chats, and interact with the hosts. The show has captivated a wide audience and continues to be a favorite.

The success of Weekly Idol is largely attributed to its dynamic hosts, Defconn and Jeong Hyeong Don. However, the show underwent a major change when the original hosts were replaced by a new trio: Yoo SeYoon, Kim ShinYoung, and Lee SangMin. After leaving the show, Defconn and Jeong Hyeong Don moved on to host a new program, Idol Room, which, despite airing only recently in May, is quickly gaining popularity and may even surpass Weekly Idol in viewership and appeal.

Law Of The Jungle is a reality TV show aired on SBS where celebrity guests are placed in remote wilderness locations around the world. They must adapt to primitive survival conditions, learning to live alongside native people while facing the challenges of nature. The show stands out for its raw approach to survival, offering a truly immersive experience rather than a metaphorical one. It appeals to viewers who are unfamiliar with such primitive lifestyles, especially those from developed urban environments, providing a captivating glimpse into a survivalist existence.

Over the years, the show has maintained a high rating by expanding its reach to various exotic locations across the globe, blending adventure with humor. The show's host, Kim Byung Man, even won the prestigious Daesang at the 2017 SBS Entertainment Awards.

Throughout the show, technology is kept to a minimum. The only tools used are cameras and essential medical supplies for the crew, ensuring that the stars truly experience the hardships of survival. With the extreme conditions they face, it's not uncommon for K-pop idols to encounter health issues, injuries, or even animal bites.

Master in The House - Housekeeper is a South Korean variety show featuring Lee Seung-gi, Lee Sang-yoon, Yang Se-hyung, Yook Sung-jae (BtoB), Shin Sung-rok, Kim Dong-hyun, and Cha Eun Woo. It airs on SBS every Sunday at 6:20 PM (KST), starting from December 31, 2017. This marks Lee Seung-gi's first regular variety show since his military discharge, while Lee Sang-yoon makes his variety show debut. Shin Sung-rok has been a fixed member since episode 102.

In each episode, the cast spends two days and one night with successful individuals from various fields, called the 'Hosts,' learning about their lives and gaining valuable insights into their lifestyles and philosophies. Additionally, there are special hosts who appear only for one day to share their experiences with the cast.

Thanks to its popularity, Master in The House - Housekeeper won the Best Variety Program award in 2018. The cast also earned numerous accolades for their participation in the show.

New Journey to the West is a South Korean reality travel show that has been airing live on Naver TVCast since September 4, 2015. It was the first project from 'tvN Go,' the digital content brand of cable network tvN. In 2016, the show won the Best Content in Entertainment award at the tvN10 Awards.

The cast includes familiar faces such as Kang Ho Dong, Lee Soo Geun, Eun Ji Won (SechsKies), Ahn Jae Hyun, Kyu Hyun (Super Junior), Mino (Winner), and P.O (Block B). Together, they create a unique combination of comedians, actors, and idols, with their humorous chemistry drawing viewers in and leaving a lasting impression.

Along with the entertaining interactions, the one-of-a-kind games created by Na PD have played a significant role in making New Journey to the West a standout show. In the first season, each cast member selected and dressed up as a character from the classic tale 'Journey to the West.' The cast traveled together to various domestic and international locations to collect Dragon Balls, based on the 'Dragon Ball' manga. The show’s format expanded with each subsequent season, evolving beyond the original concept.

Running Man is a popular South Korean reality television show produced by SBS. The show currently features seven regular members: Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Haha, Song Ji-hyo, Jeon So-min, and Yang Se-chan. Premiering on July 11, 2010, after over seven years on air, it has amassed a massive viewership and millions of fans worldwide.

In each episode, the cast and special guests engage in a series of fun and challenging games, tasks, and missions. Most of these tasks are physically demanding, forcing the members to race against each other, which is reflected in the show’s title. One of the most iconic and beloved games on Running Man is the name-tag tearing game, where members wear name tags on their backs, and if a tag is torn off, the member is eliminated. These name-tag tearing battles are thrilling and tense, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Despite frequent member changes and some off-screen controversies, Running Man remains one of the most adored and enduring variety shows in South Korea.

The show revolves around fictional marriages portrayed by South Korean celebrities. These amusing scenarios provide lighthearted entertainment and often make the audience wish the on-screen couples were real. Many couples have participated in the show, but only a few have left a lasting impression on fans, who eagerly hoped for them to become real-life partners.

First airing in 2008, We Got Married gained fame for featuring young, popular celebrities from the K-pop world, such as Nichkhun (2PM) and Victoria (f(x)), Taemin (SHINee) and Naeun (A Pink), and Ga In (Brown Eyed Girls) and Jo Kwon (2AM).

Despite criticism from viewers who felt the show was too scripted and artificial, many of the couples won the hearts of fans, who were sad to see them leave the show when their time came to an end.

When it comes to reality television, Family Outing is a show that cannot be overlooked. It brought a fresh breeze to the South Korean entertainment industry. As a segment of the SBS Good Sunday program, Family Outing first aired on June 15, 2008, and quickly became one of the most-watched Sunday programs in the country. It provided viewers with a fun and relaxing escape every weekend.

Compared to the shows from KBS and MBC, Family Outing had a relatively short run, lasting only two seasons from June 2008 to February 2010. However, this didn’t make it any less impactful than its competitors. The show brought together a star-studded cast, including popular figures like the national MC Yoo Jae-suk, singer Kim Jong-kook, musician Yoon Jong-shin, singer Lee Hyori, and Big Bang’s Daesung, among others. What truly set the show apart was its charming and down-to-earth content.

Without the need for intense drama or suspense, Family Outing captivated viewers of all ages by showcasing the everyday lives of celebrities, mixed with humorous and lighthearted moments, all while maintaining a cozy, heartwarming atmosphere as the cast spent time together as a big, happy family.