9 Korean reality shows that should be on your 2024 watch list

With the success of Netflix’s Single’s Inferno and Physical:100, reality shows have become a major trend in South Korean content. 2024 brings a fresh slate of South Korean reality shows and variety programmes to our screens, from more dating and thrilling survival themes to a look inside the lives of the ultra-rich.

1. Super Rich In Korea

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If you love the glitz, glam, and drama of shows like Bling Empire, here’s your next binge-watching fix.

This show promises an inside look into the jaw-dropping extravagance in South Korea, and you’ll get a peek into the lives of Singaporean tycoons, the glamour of the Arab world’s elite, Pakistani nobles, and chic Italian fashion icons, all bound by their love for Korean culture.

It is hosted by South Korean comedian Cho Sae-ho, and K-pop idols BamBam of Got7 and Oh My Girl member Mimi Coolly.

Super Rich In Korea is now available on Netflix.

2.My Name Is Gabriel

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What would some of your favourite K-stars be doing if they weren’t leading the celebrity life?

On new variety show My Name Is Gabriel, well-known Korean celebs get whizzed to another part of the globe ( from Chiang Mai to Chongqing, Guadalajara, and Dublin) to live someone else’s life for 72 hours. Not only will they be assigned a ‘new life’ by an AI algorithm, but they’ll also be separated from their friends, family, and publicists. And they’ll be challenged to fit into their new homes, live with a new family, and work someone else’s job.

Catch actor Park Bo-gum (Reply 1988), actor Ji Chang-wook (The Worst of Evil), comedian Park Myung-soo (Infinite Challenge), actress Yeom Hye-ran (The Glory), and TV host Gabee on the show.

My Name Is Gabriel is set to air on Disney+ on June 21, 2024.

3. Agents of Mystery

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This upcoming variety show stars a cast of six “agents of mystery” who join hands to solve paranormal mysteries within six hours, relying on their quick thinking and teamwork. You can expect to see popular K-pop idols such as Aespa’s Karina and popular singer-actress Lee Hyeri in the cast.

Agents of Mystery is set to air on Netflix on June 18,2 2024.

4. Physical: 100 Season 2 - Underground

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Physical: 100, Netflix’s survival production was a global hit last year, and the highly anticipated season two dropped in March this year.

Likened to K-drama Squid Game (without the deaths), the series pits 100 contestants against each other in a show of physical fitness, strength and agility. For the second season, the programme is set against the backdrop of an underground mine, with challenging new tasks and unexpected twists.

Apart from the gruelling tasks, a highlight is the sportsmanship shown by the participants. And speaking of which, you can expect them to range from renowned athletes like Kim Dong-hyun, the first Korean UFC fighter, and judo gold medallist Lee Won-hee, to FBI diplomats, police officers, military personnel, actors and even K-pop idols. Pssst: Single’s Inferno S1’s Kang So-yeon is also part of the line-up.

The last contestant standing takes home a whopping KRW300 million, which is roughly the equivalent of S$301,124.

Physical: 100 Season 2 is now on Netflix.

5. Zombieverse Season 2

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Love South Korea’s zombie shows like Train To Busan, Alive and All of Us Are Dead? Ever imagined what a zombie apocalypse will be like IRL?

Enter Zombieverse, where contestants experience a simulated zombie attack and fight to survive till the end — from completing quests such as looking for food or a safe space, to deciding whether to save those infected by a ‘zombie’. To make it more realistic, special effects are provided by the All of Us Are Dead art team and the zombie choreographers of Kingdom. 

Participants include K-pop idols, actors, TV personalities, and professionals, and the new season will see enhanced quests, heightened zombie threats, a fresh cast, and an expanded universe.

And if you couldn’t get enough of Single’s Inferno S2 contestant Kim Jinyoung in the first season, you’ll be glad to know that the heartthrob will return to our screens again for the next season.

Coming to Netflix in Q4 2024.

6. The Zone: Survival Mission

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Fans of Disney Plus’ The Zone: Survival Mission can look forward to the highly anticipated third season of the Korean variety show. Except this time, it will be without fan favourite Lee Kwang-soo, who formed part of the show’s trio of cast alongside Korea’s “Nation MC” Yu Jae-seok and the Kpop girl group Girls’ Generation Kwon Yuri.

Taking his place will be Single’s Inferno star Dex and former UFC fighter Kim Donghyun, with the four hosts set to find themselves fighting to survive in a series of progressively more hilarious challenges. Previously pitted against zombies, a haunted hospital, glue traps, puzzles and more, tune in to discover what challenges await.

The Zone: Survival Mission Season 3 will air on Disney+ later this year.

7. Single’s Inferno Season 4

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Single’s Inferno’s premise centres around a group of young, single, and undeniably attractive South Koreans who are ready to mingle. Left stranded on an island to find that special one, it’s only when they hit it up with another singleton can they then head to Paradise (basically a luxury hotel), so they can get to know one another better.

The participants’ raw and candid emotions for each other have been what’s drawing audiences, as they’re only able to focus on their feelings in a restricted space without any knowledge of each others’ ages or jobs.

The smash hit series has been confirmed for a fourth season, which will make a comeback with hotter and newer faces. With big changes to the format in Season 3, we can only assume that Season four will see more exciting new rules.

The previous seasons were filmed in summer, and aired in December, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that season four will be released at the end of this year.

Single’s Inferno seasons one to three are available on Netflix.

8. The Influencer

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There aren’t many details about this upcoming reality series, but here’s what we know so far: the show will see 77 influencers battling it out in a high-stakes survival competition to determine who has the most social media influence.

The Influencer is slated to air on Netflix in 2024.

9. Culinary Class Wars

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In this unscripted culinary competition series presented by celebrity chef Paik Jong-won, individuals from diverse backgrounds go head-to-head in a heated showdown, showcasing their culinary skills in the kitchen.

Culinary Class Wars is slated to air on Netflix in Q3 2024.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women’s Weekly.