Page 47 - Blog 2015 - Korea in Canada

KoREa In Canada
KoREa-Canada Blog 2015

4 FMaiLY oUTGoinG (패밀리가 떴다)

• Air date: 2008 - 2010
• Highest rating achieved: 29.6 %
Similar to Running Man, this program stars a new guest or two
every episode but the format is completely different. In a sense
that the casts housesit a home in a rural area overnight and during
this time, the homeowners go on vacation (completely expensed by the broadcasters). The
intent of the program is very kind-hearted but at the same time it’s comedic as well because
the cast tries to perform all the tasks and chores that the homeowners do on a day-to-day
basis such as farming, fishing, livestock etc. They also divide the work amongst themselves
by playing games to decide who will do the cooking, dish-washing etc. so you are not only
watching them do manual labour. What I really loved about this program was that it
showcased immense teamwork and all the tasks they completed for the homeowners felt
authentic.

5 1 niGHT 2 daYS (1박2일)

• Air date: 2007 - current
• Highest rating achieved: n/a
now here’s one of the classics. The format of this show is
simple. The cast tour around Korea for a night and two
days. They explore and explain the places they are visiting
and play games with each other (no typical game format, just on a need-to-be basis). What
I really liked about this show (and I say liked because I stopped watching it after its drastic
member change) was that it felt like you as the audience was on the trip itself. It felt like just
a couple of guys on a backpacking trip with some of their best friends. It was real, it was
emotional, and it was funny. I am sure it still is all of the above now, but for me, it lost the
‘umph’ after much of the acclaimed members left, such as Kang Ho-dong, lee Seung-gi,
MC Mong. Still, I encourage you to give this show a shot and start by watching from scratch,
i.e. Season 1.

Well, there you have it. My 5 Korean Variety Shows, whether active or inactive. I hope
the future and current variety programs follow the footsteps of these great ones instead of
chasing ratings. If they do, I cannot wait to see what’s in store of our future Korean
broadcasting world.

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