Idols and Legends Flood the Entertainment Scene

KBS, MBC, and SBS have released a total of over 10 new variety shows tailored for the five-day Golden Week holiday. In “Idols,” performers run around, “young stars” search for love, and “dads” leave home to take care of their children. Legendary singers have returned to survival competition stages. To capitalize on the Golden Week period from the 18th to the 22nd, these three terrestrial broadcasters have made a decisive effort. Ratings for their weekday late-night variety programs have been completely taken over by cable and specialty channels, leaving them in a life-or-death situation.

KBS has brought forth a lineup featuring experience-based variety shows centered around dads, as well as physical-strengthening programs. “Baradeun Bada” follows men who set off on yachts, saying things like “I sometimes want to be alone,” documenting their escapades. There are also shows such as “Superman Is Back” and “Star Babysitter, Come See Me” that focus on dads caring for their own children or others’. Additionally, there is the physical variety show “Real Sports Show Tuhon,” which features fights between celebrities and ordinary people.

MBC has seen a wave of shows featuring both “idols” and “legends.” This year marks the seventh edition of the controversial idol sports competition “Idol Star Athletics, Archery, and Futsal Championship.” With over 160 participants competing, those who stand out quickly become famous sports idols, but the more they train, the more injuries they suffer. “The Return of Kings” features “I Am a Singer: Best 10 Classic Songs,” a program where former contestants from “Nagasu” such as Yoon Min-soo, Park Jung-hyun, Kim Bum-soo, Park Wan-gyu, Kim Kyung-ho, Gukkassten, Jang Hye-jin, Insooni, and YB all participate.

SBS has prepared “Star Faceoff,” a show where top-tier idols dress up similar to legendary singers and imitate their performances. “Biography Customization Studio” is a program where Kim Gu-ra, Kim Sung-ju, Lee Ki-gwang (BIST), and Bora (SISTAR) create biographies for famous people based on interviews and testimonies from those around them at their request. “Song Po Yu” features singer Lee Seung-chul and Uhm Jung-hwa forming teams with “problematic” high school students to compete in a world choir competition. “Awesome Guys” aims to deliver laughter through a one-person, multiple-role comedy show.

Additionally, “TXT’s Parenting Diary,” airing on WAVVE, is a 10-episode parenting observation reality show featuring the group TOMORROW X TOGETHER as they care for their 14-month-old son Yujun. Preview clips show the members soothing, feeding, putting the baby to sleep, and changing diapers, as well as accompanying him to the company’s practice room. The members’ busy efforts to capture the child’s attention and their tender care clearly indicate that this program aims to focus not just on a special reunion but on parenting itself as its core theme.

Shinee member Kei and BTOB member Lee Chang-seop have also taken on roles as hosts for new variety shows. They host “Salon de Doll,” a program that brings together idols and legendary singers, with an emphasis on showcasing the idols’ new charms.