Scripted series are often lauded for their ability to transport us, while reality tends to ground us in what’s familiar (well, except the unlucky faction of us who don’t usually look for love in opulent villas). But when it comes to Korean reality shows, you can guarantee you’ll always encounter something totally unexpected.
Over the last few years, unscripted series from Korea have completely flipped the idea of “reality” upside down, placing real people in surreal situations that have felt completely fresh and original. Take Physical: 100, the large-scale competition show in which 100 of the strongest competitors battle each other in arenas to see who has the “ideal physique”; or Zombieverse, where internet-famous people have to run around an apocalyptic Seoul in order to avoid being eaten by “zombies”; or even Busted, in which a group of celebrities pretend to be rookie detectives investigating a murder-conspiracy case.
And thankfully, there’s more where that came from. Over the next year or so, a handful of new and returning series are coming our way. Your queue can look forward to an epic battle among 100 talented chefs, the return of sizzling dating show Single’s Inferno, and much more.
Below, here’s everything you need to know about the Korean reality shows coming soon.
Following fan-favorite K-survival unscripted shows like Physical: 100, Siren: Survive the Island, Zombieverse, and The Devil’s Plan, comes a new competition to crown the ultimate influencer. The Influencer is a social survival unscripted show in which 77 of South Korea’s top influencers — whose influence directly translates to their market value — compete to determine who holds the greatest sway. These influencers, who collectively boast a staggering 120 million followers across platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and AfreecaTV, include prominent figures like Jang Keun-suk, RISABAE, PaniBottle, Jin Yong-jin, Shim Eu-ddeum, and DaeDo. They are all set to engage in an intense and thrilling competition.
Lee Jae-seok, Son Soo-jeong
Kakao Entertainment
A-list to Playlist stars Cho Jung-seok, a dedicated music enthusiast with a 20-year acting career, who’s long dreamed of becoming a singer-songwriter. Assisting him on this journey is his close friend Jung Sang-hoon, known for his love of starting new ventures, and Moon Sang-hoon, a beloved figure among Korean millennials and Gen Z. Supporting Cho Jung-seok are several legendary Korean musicians, including Gummy — celebrated as one of the country’s finest vocalists and Jung-seok’s enduring muse —and Dynamicduo, one of Korea’s most iconic hip-hop acts.
Yang Jung-woo, Lee Jung-won
CJ ENM
In Netflix Korea’s first culinary competition show, 100 talented chefs will go head-to-head in a fiery battle. Among the cooks in Culinary Class Wars are hidden masters (aka “black spoon”) who will challenge the star chefs (aka “white spoon”) to become the best in Korea. Will the star chefs cement their status, or will the hidden masters outshine them? Judges Paik Jong-won, the famed restaurateur known for his Midas touch, and chef Anh Sung-jae of MOSU Seoul, Korea’s only three–starred restaurant, are ready to offer their unforgiving evaluations.
Kim Hak-min, Kim Eun-ji
Studio Slam
Read more about Culinary Class Wars.
Zombieverse, first launched in August 2023, returns as Zombieverse: New Blood. Set in a zombie apocalypse simulation, the first season tasked its participants with completing quests in various parts of Seoul in order to survive. In the new season, the universe expands beyond Seoul, with even more larger-than-life characters and moments of intense laughter.
Park Jin-kyung, Moon Sang-don
Kakao Entertainment
This coming fall, Comedy Revenge will follow the much-touted Comedy Royale, where contestants compete purely based on talent and skill regardless of age, experience, or background. Lee Kyung-kyu, a comedy legend with a 43-year career who led his team (Lee Chang-ho, Eom Ji-yoon, and Jo Hoon) to victory in Comedy Royale, will now host Korea’s 22 most beloved comedians in this all-new battle of wits.
Kwon Hae-bom, Park Hyun-seok
Kakao Entertainment
Producer Chang Si-won, known for reality shows such as A Clean Sweep, Steel Troops, and The Fisherman and the City, will helm Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die. This sports survival reality show showcases the intense competition among rugby athletes who give their all for the glory of victory. Filled with the thuds of bodies colliding and shouts of determination to move one step forward, this merciless rugby war highlights the athletes’ passion and genuine emotions.
Chang Si-won, Choi Tae-gyu
Studio C1
This spicy dating reality show features the hottest singles searching for love on a deserted island. Just like in the previous seasons, the only way the singles can leave their home base of Inferno –– where they must live with limited resources –– is to find a match and escape to paradise together. There, the couples can explore their connections in the lap of luxury. But in Single’s Inferno you can’t get too comfortable, as unexpected rule changes and twists lurk behind every corner. It’s the first Korean Netflix reality series to return for a fourth season.
Kim Jae-won, Kim Jung-hyun
Shijak Company
Read more about Single’s Inferno.
Kian’s Bizarre B&B is a variety show where KIAN84 sets up and runs an extraordinary guesthouse on the island of Ulleungdo called KIAN Bizarre B&B, which offers a unique experience for young visitors. The guesthouse operates in a realm between healing and hilarity, with everything unfolding through KIAN84’s unique perspective. The unpredictable host, KIAN84, and the diverse and colorful guests who come to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of KIAN Bizarre B&B are set to deliver big laughs and special moments of empathy.
Jung Hyo-min, Lee Soo-min, Hwang Yoon-seo
Studio Modak
The Korean mind-game show returns for Season 2. In this series, contestants from various professions stay together for seven days to determine who is the smartest among them. The Devil’s Plan not only offers a fierce competition of wit, strategy, and wisdom, but also sees shifting dynamics between contestants as the competition progresses — it resembles one big social experiment.
Jeong Jong-yeon
TEO
