10 Short-Run Korean Variety Shows That Need To Make A Comeback
A staple of Korean television, variety shows have always been one of K-Pop fans go-to places for amazing idol content. Fans have often been able to see new sides of their biases and it’s always been the perfect place to learn a little bit more about their personalities. Unfortunately, some fan-favorite variety shows just didn’t last as long as we all would have liked. Here are just a few short-run variety shows that we all wish would make a comeback soon!
1. Lipstick Prince
Lipstick Prince was all about male idols learning the ins and outs of makeup and then testing their skills on female idols. Although the show may have only had two seasons running from December 2016 to June 2017, it was the perfect balance of comedy and beauty that fans instantly fell in love with.
The show featured Super Junior‘s Heechul as host and welcomed idols like MONSTA X‘s Shownu, VIXX‘s N, and NCT‘s Doyoung and Johnny to let their inner beauty guru out. We don’t want another season, we need one!
2. Socializing Camp
If you’ve seen the legendary sliding food wall meme between EXID‘s Hani and BTOB‘s Changsub or maybe that legendary moment where ASTRO‘s Cha Eunwoo spells his name with his butt, you’ll be one of the many wondering why Socializing Camp never took off!
The show promised an exciting show featuring idols doing a wide range of random, fun, and hilarious variety of activities. Unfortunately, all we ever got was a single pilot episode for the show back in 2017.
3. Idol Battle Likes
Idol Battle Likes (also known as Battle Likes) perfectly blended the elements of a talk show with the elements of a game show. This show let idols answer all of their fans’ burning questions and also have some fun while competing in a whole host of hilarious games.
You’ve definitely seen some hilarious memes made out of moments from this show, whether it was GOT7 Jinyoung and ASTRO Cha Eunwoo‘s hilarious acting competition scene or maybe MONSTA X‘s hilarious game of charades. Sadly, the last episode to air was back in January 2017.
4. Hit the Stage
Hit the Stage was the best show to watch if dancing was a key point of interest (and what K-Pop fan doesn’t love some stunning choreography). Celebrating the art of dance, featuring many of K-Pop’s best dancers, and incorporating many fun themes it was pretty much everything you’d ever want in a dance competition show.
With artists like SHINee‘s Taemin, TWICE‘s Momo, GOT7‘s Yugyeom, and Hoya delivering jaw-dropping performances it’s an absolute shame it only aired from July to September 2016. Any chance we’ll get another season?
5. Master Key
Although the concept of Master Key changed a few times over the course of its run from October 2017 to January 2018, the main theme of this competitive variety show was for all the cast members to figure out which among them held the master key which opened a chest of gold.
To help them, they competed in a variety of challenges to obtain clues often resulting in some pretty hilarious situations. With guests like EXO, GFRIEND, iKON, and more this show was an amazing place to see your favorite idols put on their detective hats.
6. Strong Heart
Maybe not as shortlived as some of the other shows on this list, Strong Heart is still one of those shows that just didn’t last long enough! Airing from 2009 to 2013, it was one of the most popular Korean talk shows in recent history.
In each episode, a guest would tell emotional stories in the hopes of being crowned the episode’s best storyteller. This show not only allowed fans to learn more about their favorite stars but also introduced them to some new faces too. Bonus, it was the perfect place to see idols when they had just debuted! Now we just really need this show to come back!
7. Unpretty Rapstar
The female counterpart to Show Me The Money, Unpretty Rapstar always delivered with epic rap battles, stunning original raps, and interesting missions. It was one of the best places to hear amazing raps from female rappers and learn a little more about the Korean Hip-Hop scene!
With contestants like Giant Pink, Cheetah, Jessi, and AOA‘s Jimin bringing some serious heat, it was a big disappointment for everyone when we didn’t get another season after the third season wrapped up in 2016.
8. Invincible Youth
First airing in 2009, Invincible Youth let fans see some of their favorite female idols take on rural life by doing farm work, often with hilarious outcomes. Running one full season, the show was such a hit that it came back in 2012 for a second season!
Unfortunately, with only a fraction of the original cast, scheduling conflicts, and low ratings, season 2 was canceled partway through. That being said, many fans absolutely loved the show and are still hoping the show will make a comeback.
9. Sister’s Slam Dunk
Sister’s Slam Dunk was the perfect combination of a reality show, documentary, and variety show competition. With idols including Tiffany and Jessi participating in the first season and idols including Minzy and Jeon Somi in the second season, the show focused on an all-female cast and aimed to fulfill each cast member’s dream using a budget of approximately $2,000 USD.
Every episode was unique and brought some unique challenges as they worked to fulfill their goals. And with goals covering everything from obtaining a bus driving license to producing a Christmas carol, there was something to interest everyone! Sadly, the show never came back after the second season wrapped up.
10. Family Outing
First airing in June 2008, Family Outing was one of the top-rated programs on Sunday Korean television. This show focused on the “Family,” a set of Korean celebs like Yoo Jae Suk, Kim Jong Kook, and Hyori. In each episode, the “family” would travel to different parts of the country to take care of the home of a family who had gone on vacation and accomplishes different tasks left for them by the homeowners.
After one of the main hosts left the show, Family Outing wrapped up after its 85th episode in 2010. Shortly after it finished, Family Outing 2 began but unfortunately never got as much attention as the first Family Outing.
