While a majority of an idol’s job is singing and performing, for some K-pop groups and members, another task added onto their weekly schedules is variety shows. While many groups have a variety show produced by their company to highlight the group’s chemistry and personality, some members are exclusively cast onto variety shows.
Group variety shows
Going Seventeen (GoSe) is a variety show starring Seventeen, produced by Pledis Entertainment, which features the 13 members taking on different activities and challenges. This wasn’t always the concept for GoSe, however. When the show first aired in 2017, GoSe focused more on providing fans with an intimate look into their experiences as idols. The show transitioned into a variety show format in 2019 and since then, has steadily grown in popularity. With over 200 episodes and millions of views, the show is widely known as one of the most popular K-pop variety shows, attracting even non-fans. This popularity can be attributed to the group’s chemistry together and natural cadence, thanks to their experience as idols and experience with one another.
TO DO X TXT is a variety show starring Tomorrow X Together (TXT), produced by BigHit Entertainment. Similarly to GoSe, the show features the members competing in various challenges and games. However, this show wasn’t always great. The first episodes were awkward due to their lack of experience as idols and uncertainty with the camera. Thankfully, since the show’s debut in 2020, the show has become much more enjoyable to watch; the members have become much more comfortable with one another, and have steadily developed a natural cadence for humor.
Member-exclusive variety shows
Workdol features (G)I-DLE member Yeh Shuhua as she explores different Korean part-time jobs.
Each 15 minute episode is dedicated to Shuhua working at a different place as a part-timer. From working as a flight attendant to working for a sashimi restaurant, Shuhua takes on a new, unique job every week. The show aired every Tuesday from May 25, 2023 – Dec. 21, 2023, with a total of 29 episodes. While a majority of the episodes only featured Shuhua, sometimes idols such as (G)I-DLE’s Cho Miyeon and Nicha Yontararak (Minnie) and Enhypen’s Jay Park and Kim Sunwoo were invited to take part in the show. Many viewers particularly enjoyed her interactions with Enhypen members. While most idols tend to hesitate with opposite sex interactions, in fear of dating rumors and pushback, Shuhua acted comfortably, making jokes with the idols. I think a lot of the enjoyment from the show comes from Shuhua’s carefree personality, as she doesn’t care as much about her “idol image” and allows herself to be herself. She often expresses her feelings and goes on camera barefaced, something that a lot of idols are hesitant to do.
Fearless Kkura is a web variety series by Le Sserafim’s Sakura Miyawaki under the South Korean television channel, tvN. The show centers around her exploring different situations and challenges to prove that she is fearless, hence the name Fearless Kkura. The show aired every Wednesday from Nov. 23, 2022 – May 10, 2023, with a total of 25 episodes. Similarly to Workdol, Sakura invited a variety of idol guests, such as GOT7’s Kunpimook Bhuwakul (BamBam), Rocket Punch’s Takahashi Juri, and Billie’s Fukutomi Tsuki. Sakura also collaborated with non idol guests such as professional gamer Kim Huk-Kyu (Deft) and South Korean actors Park Sung Woong and Hong Yeong-cheon. Thanks to Sakura’s over ten years of experience in the industry, she is experienced with the camera and is able to riff off of herself and her guests.
