Idols, Legends, and Dad Variety Shows in Head-to-Head Competition

To capitalize on the five-day Golden Week holiday, KBS, MBC, and SBS released over a dozen new variety shows. The competition among these three terrestrial broadcasters has intensified. In “Idols,” performers run around; “young stars” seek love; and “dads” leave home to take care of their children. Meanwhile, “legendary” singers return to survival-style stages.

KBS structured its programs around experience-based and physical variety shows centered on dads. “Baradeun Bada” features men escaping to spend time alone on yachts, claiming they want solitude. “Superman Is Back” and “Star Babysitter, Come See Me” are parenting shows that compare how a dad cares for his own child with how he cares for someone else’s. “Real Sports Show Toohon” is a physical variety show showcasing fights between celebrities and ordinary people.

MBC announced attacks by both “idols” and “legends.” The “Idol Star Athletics, Archery, and Futsal Championship,” now in its seventh year, will see over 160 participants compete. Those who excel in this program quickly become famous as sports idols. “The Return of Kings” presents “I Am a Singer: Best 10 Classic Songs,” featuring performances by Yoon Min-soo, Park Jung-hyun, Kim Bum-soo, Park Wan-gyu, Kim Kyung-ho, Guckkassten, Jang Hye-jin, Insooni, and YB.

SBS prepared “Star Faceoff,” a program where top-tier idols dress up like legendary singers and imitate their styles. “Biography Customization Studio” has Kim Gura, Kim Sung-ju, Lee Ki-gwang (B2ST), and Bora (SISTAR) creating biographies based on interviews with famous figures. “Song for You” sees Lee Seung-chul and Um Jung-hwa forming teams with problematic high school students to compete in a world choir competition. “Great Guys” aims to bring laughter through a comedy show featuring multiple roles per actor.

Wavve’s “TXT’s Parenting Diary” is a 10-episode parenting observation reality show following TOMORROW X TOGETHER as they care for their 14-month-old son, Yujun. The program covers daily tasks such as soothing, feeding, putting the baby to sleep, and changing diapers, as well as following them to the company’s practice room. The production team made it clear that this show aims to focus on “care” itself rather than being merely a special encounter.

KBS2’s “Superman Is Back” is a family-style reality show featuring real parents and children. It shifts focus to the child’s emotions and behaviors as the core narrative, using the authenticity of real family relationships to earn viewers’ empathy. As the impact of family-based realities grows compared to variety shows where idols temporarily “experience” parenting, idol parenting formats have naturally declined.

This format marks a revival 24 years after “god’s Parenting Diary” and 13 years since the “Hello Baby” series. The filming location prioritizes rest time, the child’s physical condition, and privacy protection to avoid stress for the child. Shoots last only about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and all staff leave while the child is napping or sleeping at night. Filming is also stopped immediately if the child is not in good health.

The variety show competition among the three terrestrial broadcasters has taken on a “fight to the death” intensity. With cable and paid channels making counterattacks, they have seized all ratings for weekday late-night variety shows. Each broadcaster has introduced new pilot programs using different strategies. KBS and SBS are particularly proactive, while MBC is determined to maintain momentum with customized Chuseok special programs and continue its weekend variety show lineup.

“TXT’s Parenting Diary,” which premiered on the 23rd, ranked first among Tuesday-night variety shows. The production team emphasized that “respect is more important than cuteness” and stressed the challenge of capturing the attention of increasingly discerning viewers.