Grandmothers from six countries cook their national dishes for the foreigners in Korea.
For more detailed information, please check the text on the attached image.

6개 나라에서 온 외국인 할머니들이 모국의 음식 ‘집밥’이 그리운 외국인들을 위해 요리합니다.
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With hot new makeup trends popping up constantly, sharing skincare tips and makeup secrets never gets old. And since K-beauty is one of the big pillars of Hallyu, there’s no shortage of beauty reality shows that uncover the best tricks of the trade. Both for those who have trouble telling the difference between an ampoule and a serum as well as for beauty aficionados eager to up their beauty game, here are some interesting shows to catch up on.

‘Get It Beauty 2018’

Hosted by model Jang Yoon-ju, OnStyle’s “Get It Beauty 2018” is all about promoting healthy beauty tips and habits that upgrade your life. As one of the longest-running beauty reality series in Korea, the show has a fairly big following. One of the highlights of the show is their blind test of cosmetics designed to discover products that give you the best bang for your buck. The show’s panel of judges tests every type of product imaginable, including blushes, concealeres, blackhead removing creams, and many more. Based on their blind test, the judges give out their very own “beauty-life-balance” (뷰라벨) seal of approval to the best products that catch their eye.

Various celebrity guests and other beauty experts are invited to each episode to share their own unique skincare tips and beauty hacks. In one episode, EXID’s Jung-hwa shared that she likes to apply eyeshadow primer to her lips as a way to make her lipstick last all day. The show also invites male beauty influencers to get their take, and they discuss a wide array of products geared towards both women and men.

‘Mimi Shop’

JTBC4 has launched an interesting new beauty reality show called “Mimi Shop.” Starring celebrities like Tony Ahn, Sandara Park, and Cheetah as Mimi Shop “employees,” the show follows them around as they learn new makeup techniques and try them out on various guests that visit the shop. From timeless looks that never go out of style to avant garde makeup tricks that give you that oomph you need, Mimi Shop staff learn it all.

Unlike “Get It Beauty,” which focuses on sharing beauty tips, “Mimi Shop” is more of a talk show that offers makeup sessions as a way to cheer people up and bring therapeutic healing. Mimi Shop employees and visitors don’t just share their makeup tips but also talk about their personal stories of hope and hardship.

‘Beauty Girl’

DongaTV’s “Beauty Girl” (뷰티엔부티) is back for season two and has a new panel of “beauty masters,” including Jeong Ga-eun, Hwang-bo, Sleepy and Maeng Seung-ji. The show features a wide variety of practical beauty tips on how to take your makeup and skincare routine up a notch. For the most part, the show is a roundtable of celebrities and beauty experts reviewing the latest cosmetics and skincare tools and devices.

While there are plenty of beauty variety shows that are both entertaining and informative, Korean networks have yet to launch any beauty competition series like those currently popular abroad, such as Lifetime’s “Glam Masters” and “American Beauty Star.” It’ll be interesting to see how Korean networks put their own spin on future beauty programs.

Written by Miruh Jeon

People love watching other people eat

It was around the mid to late-2000s that meokbang videos first began to emerge on the Internet. It all began when some food enthusiasts decided to live stream videos of themselves devouring mountains of food to entertain viewers who were strangely fascinated by these online personalities, often dubbed “food fighters.” More than 10 years later, people still can’t seem to get enough of it. Nowadays, meokbang are not just available via online platforms but have penetrated into the world of K-dramas and variety shows. The popularity of meokbang shows have soared in recent years, especially due to the rise of the so-called honbap culture in Korea. So, if you’re not hooked on it yet, here are a few meokbang-themed shows to get you started.

‘Let’s Eat’

After two successful seasons, tvN’s hit mukbang drama series “Let’s Eat”

(식샤를 합시다) is back for a third run. The series revolves around the character Goo Dae-young (Yoon Doo-joon), an outgoing insurance salesman who has made a name for himself online as a food blogger known as “Siksha-nim” (식샤님).

In season three, Dae-young finds himself stuck in a rut and feeling unmotivated. However, as luck would have it, he bumps into a friend he hasn’t seen in 14 years — Lee Ji-woo (Baek Jin-hee). As young 20-year-olds, they were incredibly passionate about food and it was Ji-woo who helped Dae-young realize the satisfaction and comfort that comes from a great meal. Check out the new season to see how their fateful encounter helps the two turn their lives around.

‘Bob Bless You’

“Bob Bless You” (밥블레스유) is a meokbang talk show that centers on food therapy. The cast consists of four beloved TV personalities, Choi Hwa-jung, Lee Young-ja, Song Eun-yi and Kim Sook, who not only introduce great dishes but entertain viewers with hilarious quips about life in general. What viewers love more than the food, it seems, is the interesting conversation that these women have during their meals. Each episode is filled with quirky remarks like “that tart tasted like the first time I saw Daniel Henney,” as well as insightful advice about the perfect meal to share with a friend to ease awkward tension.

That’s not to say the food doesn’t look delicious. Watching them feast on a mouthwatering dish of marinated crabs or a savory bowl of beef and radish soup will surely whet your appetite. But unlike other meokbang shows that focus more on what and how much to eat, Bob Bless You is more about the art of enjoying a great meal. The show reminds us that achieving that much-needed peace of mind is all about sharing good food and conversation with people we love and care about.

Written by Miruh Jeon

With everything from travel shows set in the jungle to a cooking program that solely focuses on the art of making side dishes, TV shows are constantly thinking outside the box to stand out from the competition. Here are some new shows that are putting fresh spins on reality TV to inspire viewers to step outside their comfort zone.

‘Dunia: Into a New World’

Ever wondered what would happen if you were to find yourself stranded on an uninhabited island? Do you think you’d be one of those leader types that is quick on their feet and can keep things in perspective? Or do you think you’d start running around panicking? Well, MBC’s new variety show, “Dunia: Into a New World,” puts 10 celebrities to the test by teleporting them to an unknown virtual land called “Dunia.” The first episode begins with each of the cast members going about their normal day when all of a sudden they are time warped into a strange land filled with all sorts of dangers, including dinosaurs.

This so-called “unreal” variety show is the first of its kind, as it combines reality TV with a bit of drama and interesting elements like viewer engagement. It’s the product of a collaboration between MBC and Nexon and, as many gaming fans may have already noticed, “Dunia” is based on “Durango,” a fictional universe that serves as the setting of one of their video games.

U-know Yunho, Jung Hye-sung, Luda of Cosmic Girls, Sam Okyere, Din Din and Austin Kang are among the 10 cast members that must fend for themselves and complete various missions in order to survive in the wild. There are specific scenes in the series when viewers are encouraged to text in to decide the group’s next move — who should get the last morsel of food? Should they play it safe and stay put or boldly fly into the face of danger? Make sure to catch the series to find out what happens.

‘Where on Earth??’

For those of you longing to explore the world from the comfort of your own couch, KBS’s new travel reality show “Where on Earth??” might be worth checking out. Starring actors Ji Jin-hee and Cha Tae-hyun as well as comedian Jo Se-ho and model Bae Jeong-nam, the show ventures into some of the most fascinating places around the globe.

The group’s first journey takes place in the middle of the Arabian Desert, and they chronicle their adventure through the vast desert all the way to the Arabian Sea. The catch is that they must complete their journey in three nights and four days while only traveling on foot. Plus, they are not allowed to use any sort of GPS and must solely rely on a map and compass to get to their destination. Catch the latest episode to find out where the group is heading next!

Written by Miruh Jeon

It’s hard to deny that Netflix has revolutionized the way we consume media, and the deep-pocketed streaming service provider is giving conventional broadcasters here in Korea a run for their money with several new original series that have been generating lots of buzz.

The global streaming giant, which boasts over 125 million subscribers around the world, first made its way to Korea in 2016. But it wasn’t until last year when Netflix released director Bong Joon-ho’s critically acclaimed film “Okja” that Koreans started to recognize the service as a game-changer and a serious rival to domestic networks. Since then, Netflix has announced the release of multiple original series right here in Korea, which include two variety programs and one K-drama series.

‘Busted!’

From the creators of hit variety shows like “Running Man” and “X-Man” comes Netflix’s first-ever original Korean variety program. This crime-solving variety show is packed with suspense, drama and plenty of unexpected twists and turns. With a star-studded cast led by Korea’s top MC Yoo Jae-suk, “Busted!” (범인은 바로 너!) follows a team of detectives that find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery that they must solve by tackling a series of puzzles and riddles. The team, which includes actors Ahn Jae-wook and Park Min-young as well as idol stars Sehun and Sejeong, comes across a new case each episode and must ultimately figure out the answer to the big question — what happened to Project D?

‘YG FSO’

For those of you who have been craving a really good sitcom, “YG FSO” might be just what you’ve been looking for. Netflix has teamed up with the country’s top talent agency YG Entertainment for its upcoming sitcom-variety series “YG FSO” (Future Strategy Office) (YG 전자). This new series features Big Bang’s Seungri as the head of the Future Strategy Office, which is a newly formed department that houses the agency’s troublemakers. Over the span of eight episodes, Seungri and his team will strive to regain their footing in the company.

Other YG Family members that viewers can look forward to seeing in the series include Sechskies’ Lee Jae-jin and writer-turned-tv personality Yoo Byung-jae, who has made a name for himself with his successful stand-up comedy venture. You can also expect special guest appearances by other YG favorites, including K-pop groups BLACKPINK, iKON, and Winner.

‘Kingdom’

In addition to variety programs, Netflix is getting ready to launch a new K-drama series later this year. Writer Kim Eun-hee and producer Kim Seung-hun have teamed up for a new original series titled “Kingdom,” which is a zombie thriller set in the Joseon era.

The show not only boasts an enviable cast, including actors Ju Ji-hoon and Bae Doona, but also one of the most well-respected storytellers in the Korean entertainment industry — writer Kim Eun-hee. She has an impressive track record, which includes big hits like “Signal” and “Three Days.”

“Kingdom” is an action-thriller that follows the story of a crown prince who is sent out on a mission to look into an inexplicable epidemic that’s been spreading across the land. He soon finds out that the plague is actually a full-fledged zombie epidemic that is threatening his very own kingdom.

Make sure to keep an eye out for these new shows on Netflix.

Written by Miruh Jeon

Back in October, a social humanoid robot named Sophia became a Saudi Arabian citizen, becoming the first robot in the world to be granted citizenship. Although some people label Sophia as merely a “chatbot with a face,” others see her as the first big step towards creating artificial intelligence that will one day walk among us. At any rate, with technology getting more advanced each year, it seems like only a matter of time before robots become sophisticated enough to pass for a person.

This ongoing interest in AI is evident in the wave of new K-dramas that urges us to ask ourselves: how will our relationships with robots change in the coming years? And more importantly, can you have feelings for a robot?

This past September, MBC released a series called “Borg Mom” in which a genius computer scientist creates a robot that looks exactly his late wife. Overwhelmed by the burdens of being a single dad, Choi Go-bong (Yang Dong-geun) programs this so-called “Borg mom” to take care his son. But, to his surprise, he gradually finds himself feeling emotionally attached to her and starts to realize that she might be more than just an intelligent computer. As you watch Go-bong experience these strange feelings, you can’t help but ask yourself, is it possible to fall for a cyborg? And what about the other way around?

Since the series ended on December 1, MBC has released yet another AI-themed K-drama called “I Am Not A Robot,” starring Yoo Seung-ho and Chae Soo-bin. This romantic comedy revolves around Kim Min-gyu, a prominent but lonely businessman, and a woman named Jo Jia, who finds herself in a sticky situation where she has to pretend to be a robot. Due to an extremely rare condition that makes him allergic to other humans, Min-gyu is forced to isolate himself from others and, thus, constantly feels plagued by loneliness. So, as a solution, he decides to order a humanoid robot called Aji-3 to keep him company. However, due to a major flaw in the robot, Aji-3’s developer asks his ex-girlfriend, Jia, to pretend to be a cyborg, and things start to get complicated.

Several other production houses are scheduled to release new shows that explore similar themes. For instance, “Are You Human Too?,” starring Seo Kang-jun and Gong Seung-yeon, is a sci-fi series about an android that’s created to replace a man who has fallen into a coma. Another upcoming K-drama called “Love Like A Human” (working title) depicts the romantic relationship between an ordinary woman and a man with an AI brain.

It’s interesting to see these shows portray robots as self-aware beings that people have to learn to interact and bond with, but what would be even more interesting is to see new programs that go beyond romance and examine the impact of AI on different aspects of society.

Written by Miruh Jeon

Hit TV programs show Koreans are actively seeking cross-cultural friendships

Back in June, MBC’s cable network MBC Every1 launched the pilot of their new travel show “Welcome, First Time In Korea?” The pilot was a huge success, with ratings reaching over 2 percent for the first time ever since the cable network was first founded 10 years ago. Since then, the program’s ratings have steadily increased, hitting 4.5 percent in recent weeks, according to statistics released by Nielsen Korea.

Each episode of the show revolves around an expat and his or her group of friends that are visiting Korea from their home country. The basic concept of the show is to give the visitors an exciting tour around Korea, giving them a chance to explore the country like a local. In one of the earlier episodes, the former “Non-summit” member/TV personality Daniel Lindemann takes his German friends to the beautiful city of Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The group stays at a Hanok and also feasts on a full-course Korean meal to get a taste of traditional culture. In one of the more recent episodes, a group of Finnish travelers relax at a jimjilbang and try out some popular late-night snacks.

“Welcome, First Time In Korea?” has sparked other TV networks’ interest in travel reality shows that focus on the interactions between Koreans and foreigners. For example, JTBC’s new TV show “My Foreigner Friend” sends celebrities off overseas on soul-searching trips and documents their journey. One of them is the actress Oh Yeon-soo, who visits Italy and forms a close bond with a local family that she meets through the show. Despite the language barrier, Oh and the family, especially the mother, learn to understand and appreciate each other.

OLIVE and tvN recently co-launched a program in November called “Seoul Mate.” Unlike “My Foreigner Friend” where a Korean celebrity travels abroad, “Seoul Mate” is all about welcoming travelers to Korea. A panel of celebrities act as hosts and open up their homes to foreign travelers. The show’s Korean hosts include the comedian Kim Sook, who invites French guests into her apartment, and the actor Lee Ki-woo, who befriends Mexican travelers.

The rising popularity of such programs seems to indicate a major shift among Koreans from being shy about meeting new people to actively putting themselves out there and being excited about interacting with people from across the globe.

It’s no surprise that TV shows are reflecting this trend, considering the fact that the number of foreign residents here in Korea has been steadily climbing in the last several years. The expat population recently reached over 1.7 million, and foreign residents currently make up more than 3 percent of the entire population. Naturally, more people are making an effort to understand diverse cultures and opening themselves to new experiences. Young Koreans are no longer simply learning foreign languages to advance their careers, but are now actually doing so to form lasting cross-cultural relationships.

Written by Miruh Jeon

TV pet shows help us understand the world from a non-human perspective

TV networks seem to have found their newfound obsession – pets. Even until just a few years ago, “TV Animal Farm” was nearly the only show focusing entirely on animals. Now, however, there’s an abundance of such programs. Considering that the number of pet owners in Korea has reached 10 million in recent years, it’s no surprise that both national and cable TV networks are jumping on the bandwagon to target this growing demographic.
Animal psychology is a common theme in many of the new shows, indicating that people are taking the topic more seriously. In September, both tvN and TV Chosun launched reality programs that take a close look at the relationships between people and their companion animals. tvN’s new show “Dear My Human” (대화가 필요한 개냥) provides an up-close look at celebrities and their pets. Actress Lee Soo-kyung and rappers Dok2 and Din Din are among the show’s regular cast and, with the help of animal experts, they learn to connect deeper with their furry best friends.
TV Chosun’s “Patrasche” focuses mainly on dogs, examining the dynamic between various canines and their owners. “Patrasche” urges viewers to consider the possibility that dogs are making sacrifices to help humans, not the other way around. The production team urges people to look at every situation from the animal’s perspective and to think hard about how their definition of happiness might differ from ours.
Another show that premiered this year is MBC’s “Haha Land,” which resembles “TV Animal Farm” in that it runs the gamut from inspiring rescue stories that make you cry to adorable clips of animal antics that put a smile on your face. It also sheds light on adoption, veterinary care and other pressing issues related to animal welfare. Plus, the show features a segment called “Haha Land Community Service Center,” which actively addresses animal-related concerns brought up by viewers.
Some existing shows have returned for a second season. One of them is Channel A’s reality show “Dog Papa” (개밥 주는 남자), which features a panel of male celebrities and their dogs. The program is popular among fans who enjoy observing how these stars interact with their companion animals. Another show that returned for a second season is EBS’s “There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Dog” (세상에 나쁜 개는 없다). This dog training program features the famous trainer Kang Hyung-wook, who shares practical tips on how to approach unruly canines.
Although these shows do provide insight into animal psychology, some critics are concerned that these programs are simply encouraging viewers to adopt pets instead of focusing more on the specifics of animal welfare. It seems that the key to long-term success is in achieving a balance between entertainment value and information value. TV networks seem to have found their newfound obsession – pets. Even until just a few years ago, “TV Animal Farm” was nearly the only show focusing entirely on animals. Now, however, there’s an abundance of such programs. Considering that the number of pet owners in Korea has reached 10 million in recent years, it’s no surprise that both national and cable TV networks are jumping on the bandwagon to target this growing demographic.
Animal psychology is a common theme in many of the new shows, indicating that people are taking the topic more seriously. In September, both tvN and TV Chosun launched reality programs that take a close look at the relationships between people and their companion animals. tvN’s new show “Dear My Human” (대화가 필요한 개냥) provides an up-close look at celebrities and their pets. Actress Lee Soo-kyung and rappers Dok2 and Din Din are among the show’s regular cast and, with the help of animal experts, they learn to connect deeper with their furry best friends.
TV Chosun’s “Patrasche” focuses mainly on dogs, examining the dynamic between various canines and their owners. “Patrasche” urges viewers to consider the possibility that dogs are making sacrifices to help humans, not the other way around. The production team urges people to look at every situation from the animal’s perspective and to think hard about how their definition of happiness might differ from ours.
Another show that premiered this year is MBC’s “Haha Land,” which resembles “TV Animal Farm” in that it runs the gamut from inspiring rescue stories that make you cry to adorable clips of animal antics that put a smile on your face. It also sheds light on adoption, veterinary care and other pressing issues related to animal welfare. Plus, the show features a segment called “Haha Land Community Service Center,” which actively addresses animal-related concerns brought up by viewers.
Some existing shows have returned for a second season. One of them is Channel A’s reality show “Dog Papa” (개밥 주는 남자), which features a panel of male celebrities and their dogs. The program is popular among fans who enjoy observing how these stars interact with their companion animals. Another show that returned for a second season is EBS’s “There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Dog” (세상에 나쁜 개는 없다). This dog training program features the famous trainer Kang Hyung-wook, who shares practical tips on how to approach unruly canines.
Although these shows do provide insight into animal psychology, some critics are concerned that these programs are simply encouraging viewers to adopt pets instead of focusing more on the specifics of animal welfare. It seems that the key to long-term success is in achieving a balance between entertainment value and information value.

Written by Miruh Jeon

© Channel A

Does ‘Heart Signal’ mark the start of a dating show revival?

With reality shows dominating the airwaves these days, TV networks are constantly coming up with new concepts to cater to a growing number of viewers who are looking to live vicariously through the shows. Among the many programs that have been produced this year, two in particular have been credited with rekindling interest in reality dating programs.

It all started with Channel A’s hit TV show “Heart Signal,” which aired from June to September. The 13-episode matchmaking program revolved around a group of strangers who lived together for a month in what’s called the “Signal House.” As the show develops, so do their relationships. The show generated so much buzz that their official Facebook fan page has over 190,000 followers, and some of the housemates have reached quasi-celebrity status. Due to the show’s popularity, the production team actually added an extra episode where the housemates were invited to the studio for a chance to talk about their experience. Plans are in the works for a second season.

Then in August, Mnet launched a program called “My Love My Friend.” As the name suggests, the show is about friends trying to figure out whether their relationship has the potential to turn into something romantic or if they’re destined to remain in the friend zone.

Reality dating programs have been around for years, but these shows stood out among the bunch for a couple reasons. First, these shows tweaked the tried-and-true format of dating shows by adding a unique element of their own. For instance, what added to the suspense of “Heart Signal” was that a group of panelists was tasked with predicting the so-called “love lines” between housemates. Naturally, this got viewers to take part in the process, which made it feel like they were also involved in the show.

Secondly, the stars of the show were ordinary people. That’s what set these programs apart from other shows like “We Got Married” and “My Ear’s Candy.” While watching celebrities live like a couple is entertaining, it only leaves the viewers wanting more because the relationship just doesn’t seem “real.” However, with non-celebrities, the whole thing suddenly becomes much more believable and relatable.

Not everyone feels that way, however. Plenty of people have criticized these programs, saying that they seem scripted and that the contestants are just hoping to become famous. Others have raised concerns about the well-being of the contestants, who end up becoming overly exposed to the public. In fact, in 2014, a popular matchmaking program called “Jjak,” or “The Mate,” got canceled abruptly following the tragic death of a contestant who accused the show of humiliating her.

Reality TV can certainly be a double-edged sword, so the pressure is on the creators and networks to continue to step up their game and provide entertainment that exceeds expectations.

Written by Miruh Jeon