Netflix is rapidly expanding its Korean unscripted TV content slate. It will launch ten shows this year, more than double the number from 2022. They range from romance to cooking and comedy.
Yoo Ki-hwan director of content at Netflix Korea, says quantity was not the goal. “It’s important to be loved locally first before we can win over global audiences. Each show has its own unique appeal that matches what they want,” he said.
The new slate kicks off with “The Influencer,”debuting on Aug. 6, followed by“A-List to Playlist,” chronicling actor Cho Jung-seok’s journey to debut as a singer.
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“The Influencer” is a social survival competition show where 77 of South Korea’s top influencers compete to determine who holds the greatest sway. Produced by Kakao Entertainment, it includes prominent figures like Jang Keun-suk, RISABAE, PaniBottle, Jin Yong-jin, Shim Eu-ddeum, and DaeDo.
In September, Netflix launches Studio Slam-produced cooking competition show “Culinary Class Wars,”where 100 star chefs and hidden masters face off. Judges of the show are Paik Jong-won, the famed restaurateur with the Midas touch, and Chef Anh Sung-jae of MOSU Seoul.
In October, it will premiere “Comedy Revenge,” from Kakao Entertainment. Lee Kyung-kyu, a comedy legend with a 43-year career who led his team to victory inprevious “Comedy Royale,” will now lead Korea’s 22 comedians in a new battle of humor.
“Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die” is a sports survival reality show that showcases the intense competition among rugby athletes. It is created by Chang Si-won and Choi Tae-gyu fromSTUDIO C1 and will take to the field in December.
“Zombieverse: New Blood” and “The Devil’s Plan 2” are returning shows launching new seasons at the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025, respectively. “Zombieverse” Season 2 is an unscripted survival show set in a zombie apocalypse simulation, where the participants must complete quests to survive. Their tasks take them to territories including Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
From TEO, “The Devil’s Plan” sees contestants from different professions spend a week together to see who is the brainiest among them.
Fiery dating show, “Singles Inferno” will also return for a fourth season. Produced by the Shijak Company, it features hot singles searching for love on a deserted island, which they can only leave as couples. Season 3 reached the upper ranks of the Global Top 10 TV Shows (non-English) for five weeks and made it to the Top 10 lists in 31 countries.
“Kian’s Bizarre B&B” features a guesthouse on the idyllic island of Ulleungdo, an unpredictable host, KIAN84, and the diverse and colorful guests who come to enjoy the romantic and special moments of empathy. It hails from Studio Modak and will premiere in 2025.
The slate was unveiled Friday at the Netflix Unscripted Festival in Seoul.
