Cover Shows like ‘Take a Hike!’ trade scripted travel for real physical strain. Inside Korea’s toughest adventure reality shows. In photo are Car, the Garden, Dowoon, Lee Chae-min, Tarzzan from ‘Take a Hike!’ (Photo: Oh Hyeok-jin/Netflix © 2026)
Shows like ‘Take a Hike!’ trade scripted travel for real physical strain. Inside Korea’s toughest adventure reality shows. In photo are Car, the Garden, Dowoon, Lee Chae-min, Tarzzan from ‘Take a Hike!’ (Photo: Oh Hyeok-jin/Netflix © 2026)
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From ‘Take a Hike!’ to wild survival games, Korean adventure reality shows test celebrity endurance like never before
Love K-dramas but secretly want to see your favourite Korean stars get out of their comfort zones? Korean adventure reality shows offer exactly that, swapping polished sets and carefully scripted scenes for mountain trails, remote landscapes, physical challenges and the occasional moment of “What have I gotten myself into?” These programmes put celebrities and other public figures in situations where stamina, teamwork and quick thinking matter more than good camera angles.
What are South Korean adventure reality shows like?
Rather than simply taking viewers along on a scenic holiday, Korean adventure shows often make the journey part of the challenge. Participants may have to hike difficult terrain, cope with unpredictable weather, complete physical tasks or work together with limited resources. The result is a more revealing kind of entertainment, where exhaustion, frustration, nerves and unexpected camaraderie become part of the story.
That is also what makes these shows particularly fun for K-drama fans. Watching a familiar actor or celebrity tackle a steep climb or struggle through an unfamiliar environment offers a side of their personality that scripted roles rarely reveal. Shows such as Take a Hike! combine the scenic appeal of Korean travel television with the unpredictability of reality programming, capturing genuine reactions as participants push themselves physically and mentally.
So, if your idea of a good weekend involves a hiking trail, a little adrenaline or simply watching your favourite K-drama stars get tested in the great outdoors, these Korean adventure reality shows are worth adding to your watchlist.
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‘Take a Hike!’
Above Four non-hiking celebrities--including singer Car, the Garden, actor Lee Chae-min and DAY6 drummer Dowoon and Tarzzan--trade glitz for frostbite as they trek through frozen mountain ranges
Directed by Na Young-suk and Park Hyun-yong, Take a Hike! follows four participants with no prior interest in mountaineering as they undertake winter ascents across South Korea. The cast includes singer Car, the garden, actor Lee Chae-min, DAY6 drummer Dowoon and musician Tarzzan. The narrative relies on the gap between typical media expectations of heroic triumph and the raw physical exhaustion of the participants. Rather than highlighting theatrical vistas, ‘Take a Hike!’ captures candid complaints, physical fatigue and low-level group friction. The show uses self-hiking formats where the cast manages their own equipment and pace, highlighting the mundane realities of cold-weather trekking.
Stream on: Netflix
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‘Three Idiots in Kenya’
Above Long-time variety veterans Lee Soo-geun, Eun Ji-won and Kyuhyun bring their chaotic bickering chemistry to the African wilderness as they tackle missions across Kenya
This series reunites Lee Soo-geun, Eun Ji-won and Kyuhyun for an unscripted journey across Kenya. Built on long-standing cast chemistry, the show mixes physical travel with improvised games and budget constraints. The participants navigate unfamiliar environments, unpredictable wildlife and logistical hurdles with limited assistance. The structure balances the tension of real travel obstacles against fast-paced variety game mechanics.
Stream on: Netflix
‘Bros on Foot’
Above A-list screen actors Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Choi Min-ho and Yeo Jin-goo swap the red carpet for a grueling trek across New Zealand to earn travel vouchers for young adults
Bros on Foot features actors Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Choi Min-ho and Yeo Jin-goo traversing the South Island of New Zealand. The central premise ties the actors’ physical exertion directly to a reward for others: completing missions unlocks vacation tickets for young adults back in South Korea. The tasks involve long-distance walking missions, steep hikes and cold-water immersions. The show documents physical fatigue while observing the informal dynamics between senior and junior actors working toward a clear goal.
Stream on: Prime Video
‘Once in a Lifetime in Kilimanjaro’
Above Actors Yoon Eun-hye, Uee, Son Ho-jun and K-pop star Hyojung form a tightly knit team to conquer high-altitude physical risks on Mount Kilimanjaro
This production tracks Yoon Eun-hye, Uee, Choi Hyo-jung and Son Ho-jun as they prepare for and execute an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. Reaching an altitude of 5,895 metres presents genuine physiological risks, including acute mountain sickness and extreme temperature swings. The camera documents the physical training, equipment preparation and the multi-day trek up the mountain. The show focuses on physical pacing, altitude adaptation and mutual assistance within a non-professional climbing team.
Find on: MyDramaList
‘Siren: Survive the Island’
Above Twenty-four elite women--from real-life stunt performers and combat veterans to firefighters and police officers--clash in intense tactical warfare on a remote island
A pure competition format, this Netflix series gathers 24 women divided into six four-person teams based on their professions: firefighters, police officers, military veterans, bodyguards, stunt performers and athletes.Located on a secluded island, the teams contend with mudflats, dense forests and harsh weather while competing in two daily events: Arena Battles for tactical advantages and Base Battles for site control. The objective is to defend a custom base flag while capturing those of rival teams. The production operates without internal group conflict, emphasizing professional strategy, physical conditioning and spatial defense.
Stream on: Netflix
‘New Journey to the West’
Above Variety icons like Kang Ho-dong and Eun Ji-won dress as mythical characters and endure harsh outdoor game penalties in this influential travel-comedy series
A foundational title in modern Korean travel television, this series uses classical literary tropes to frame outdoor challenges. Cast members adopt fantasy personas and travel to various domestic and international locations to complete game missions. Failure in games results in immediate penalties, such as losing prepared meals, forfeiting comfortable sleeping arrangements or carrying cumbersome items during travel. The show highlights how physical discomfort affects group behavior, laying structural groundwork for later productions like Take a Hike!
Stream on: WeTV
‘Law of the Jungle’
Above Comedian Kim Byung-man leads a rotating cast of K-pop idols and actors into isolated wilderness settings to build basic shelters and forage for survival
Operating as a hybrid between documentary and reality television, this long-running series placed comedian Kim Byung-man and a rotating cast of celebrities in isolated natural settings around the globe. Participants were required to construct basic shelters, secure clean water, forage and fish with minimal tools. The show presented unfiltered challenges, documenting real physical injuries, weather threats and hunger over multi-day periods.
Stream on: iQIYI
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
