Cover The stars of ‘Kian’s Bizarre B&B’ hold a meeting. (Photo: screencap from ‘Kian’s Bizarre B&B,’ Netflix)
The stars of ‘Kian’s Bizarre B&B’ hold a meeting. (Photo: screencap from ‘Kian’s Bizarre B&B,’ Netflix)
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Healing variety shows do not rely on conflict or drama. Instead, they focus on self-reflection and connection
Unlike other South Korean variety shows that hinge on chaos, comedy and competition, these “healing” variety shows feature a cast of celebrities engaging in simple activities. They spend time in nature or rural settings, cooking, travelling and interacting with the locals. These shows are designed to heal both the cast and the viewers.
Healing variety shows do not rely on conflict or drama. Instead, they focus on emotional healing, self-reflection and connection. Whether it’s watching Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon entertaining guests in her home, the cast of Youn’s Kitchen or Jinny’s Kitchen preparing delicious Korean cuisine in foreign countries or Zo In-sung and Cha Tae-hyun managing a small grocery store, these shows aim to foster a sense of peace for the audiences.
Also read: 8 slice-of-life K-dramas with no villains—just love, growth and healing
‘Kian’s Bizarre B&B’
The key word here is bizarre. In Kian’s Bizarre B&B, Kian84, the famous webtoon artist and star of variety show I Live Alone, opens a floating bed and breakfast he designed himself. The fact that it’s floating in the middle of the sea is the least bizarre thing about it. With a second-floor entrance accessible only via a climbing wall, a kitchen you enter and exit using a fireman’s pole and outdoor hanging bunk beds, it’s more a playhouse from hell than a bed and breakfast.
BTS’s Jin and SNL Korea cast member Ji Ye-eun serve as co-stars and co-managers of the B&B. Jin, a veteran of variety shows thanks to his Run Jin variety web series, knows the drill and is able to find the comedy in the absurd. Ji Ye-eun is a fish out of water and, three episodes in, looks like she’s already ready to call it quits.
Only time will tell what rating guests will give the B&B, but so far it’s looking good. Despite the outrageous accommodations, the first group of guests seems to be enjoying their stay, admitting that, if nothing else, it’s sure to be a memorable experience. And that’s shaping up to be true for them—and the viewers.
‘Hyori’s Bed and Breakfast’
When former K-pop idol and “Nation’s Fairy” Lee Hyo-ri and her musician husband Lee Sang-soon opened a bed and breakfast in their Jeju home as the central concept of a Korean variety show, it became a global hit.
The show introduced audiences around the world to the idea of a “healing” reality show—free of catfights and toxic drama and focused instead on a simple, peaceful way of living. The couple’s down-to-earth charm and approach to life were as refreshing as the Jeju air, and celebrity staffers, IU, Park Bo-gum and Yoona, added their own authentic warmth and star power.
See also: Who is Lee Hyo-ri? 5 things to know about the K-pop idol behind ‘10 Minutes’
‘Youn’s Kitchen’
The series’ first season, starring Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Seo-jin, Jung Yu-mi and Shin Goo, was filmed in Indonesia, where they opened a small beachside food shack that served Korean dishes to locals and tourists alike.
In the second season, Shin Goo was unable to return due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Park Seo-joon, who was hired as the new intern. Having already proven themselves capable of running a small food business, they levelled up to managing a full-fledged restaurant in a picturesque town in Spain.
‘Youn’s Stay’
The success of Youn’s Kitchen led to a spinoff that raised the stakes once again. This time, instead of running a restaurant, the team was asked to transform a traditional hanok guesthouse in a Korean province into a charming bed and breakfast.
Having proven himself a valuable team member in Season 2 of Youn’s Kitchen, Park Seo-joon was promoted to kitchen duty—leaving an opening for a new intern. Joining the cast was Park Seo-joon and Jung Yu-mi’s close friend, Choi Woo-shik, who brought a dose of comic relief to the program.
See also: The Best of Choi Woo-shik: 7 Shows and Movies You Have to Watch
‘Jinny’s Kitchen’
Somewhere between a new season and a spinoff, Jinny’s Kitchen retained the core cast from Youn’s Kitchen and Youn’s Stay. However, due to scheduling conflicts with Pachinko, Youn Yuh-jung was unable to return, prompting second-in-command Lee Seo-jin to step up as team leader.
Season 1 was filmed in Mexico and introduced a second intern. BTS member Taehyung, a close friend of Park Seo-joon, and Choi Woo-shik joined the cast. Together with fellow intern Choi Woo-shik, the duo provided plenty of comic relief—and no small amount of headaches for the newly promoted Park Seo-jin.
For Season 2, the team travelled to Iceland. With Taehyung away fulfilling his mandatory military service, the intern lineup saw another shakeup. Go Min-si, star of Youth of May and The Frog, brought youthful energy and a hyper-efficiency that hilariously kept Choi Woo-shik on his toes.
‘Unexpected Business’
In Season 1, Korean superstars Zo In-sung and Cha Tae-hyun took over a small grocery store in a quiet Korean countryside, where they learned how to do inventory and restocking, as well as how to man the small store’s rudimentary till. Ever ambitious, they also opened a small snack bar in the kitchen. Somehow, they managed, thanks to a revolving door of celebrity part-timers that included Park Bo-young, Nam Joo-hyuk and Park Bo-ah.
The success of Season 1 led to a second season where the duo ran a general store in the Korean province of Gangwon-do. Much larger than their previous shop, the new store proved a challenge at first. But friends like Kim Woo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, Lim Ju-hwan, Seolhyun, Han Hyo-joo and Kim Hye soo took on part-time jobs, making sure that the business ran smoothly for the most part.
The third season saw the Unexpected Business duo travel all the way to Marina in Monterey County, California. Not only did they take over a much bigger Asian grocery store, but they also had to overcome the language barrier. Thankfully, a number of their previous interns took on regular roles this time around. Han Hyo-joo, Yoon Kyung-ho, Lim Ju-hwan and Park Byung-eun stuck around for most of the episodes, and past interns like Park Bo-young, Inbee Park and Hong Kyung-min returned to help.
‘Fresh Off the Sea’
Yum Jung-ah, Ahn Eun-jin, Park Joon-myun and Dex spend three days and two nights in various coastal towns around Korea, earning their keep by taking on everyday local jobs and cooking dishes using regional ingredients.
The special bond they formed and the dynamic they shared led viewers to affectionately refer to them as “the four siblings”. While each brought their own brand of comedic charm, it’s flirting expert Dex who consistently stole the spotlight. Special guest stars included Hwang Jung-min, Park Hae-jin, Unexpected Business’ Cha Tae-hyun, Park Jeong-min and Jinny’s Kitchen’s Go Min-si.
‘House on Wheels’
In this travel variety show, Sung Dong-il and Kim Hee-won were joined each season by a rotating third celebrity castmate as they journeyed to picturesque destinations across South Korea in a small, customised camper van. Along the way, they welcomed celebrity guests to stay with them, sharing meals, conversations and quiet moments while embracing nature.
Yeo Jin-goo, Im Si-wan, Gong Myung and Rowoon served as the “third wheel” across the four seasons. Notable guest stars included Lee Hye-ri, IU, Gong Hyo-jin, Lee Sung-kyung, Ha Ji-won, Bae Doona, Kim You-jung, Yoona, Rain, Jung Hae-in and Ji Chang-wook.
‘Rented in Finland’
The premise is simple: Take four city boys, fly them to the rural areas of Lapland, Finland, and watch them adapt to life without modern conveniences like electricity, flushing toilets, running water and WiFi.
Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, Cha Eun-woo, and Kwak Dong-yeon each coped with rural life to varying degrees of success. Surprisingly, it was the youngest, Kwak Dong-yeon, who adapted the best, quickly proving himself adept at country living. Cha Eun-woo, having learned a few dishes from his mother, managed to contribute in the kitchen and brought added entertainment with his playful mischief.
The elder two found it harder to adapt. Relegated to mincing garlic and chopping wood, Lee Dong-hwi was clearly out of his element. But it was Lee Je-hoon who struggled the most. His attempt at cooking an egg was almost too painful to watch.
See also: Cha Eun-woo, Jisoo, V, and more: 9 Korean singers making waves in the acting scene
‘Three Meals a Day’
Definitely one of the most successful healing variety shows to this day, Three Meals a Day has had various incarnations over the years. Set in different locations—Jeongseon Village, Fishing Village, Gochang Village and Mountain Village—it featured various cast members per location and season, and numerous famous guests.
Lee Seo-jin, Taecyeon, Cha Seung-won, Yoo Hae-jin, Son Ho-jun, Nam Joo-hyuk, Yum Jung-ah, Yoon Se-ah and Park So-dam are just a few of the stars who appeared on Three Meals a Day. In the show, these celebrities spend three days and two nights in a rural village, where they cook three meals a day using locally sourced ingredients and embrace a simple, rustic lifestyle, just like the locals.
One of its more popular spin-offs is Three Meals a Day: Doctors, where the cast of the popular medical K-drama Hospital Playlist went camping and played popular variety-show games.
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