“바쁘다 바빠 현대사회!" This is a phrase used commonly in South Korea regardless of age or occupation; this conceptual idea, nevertheless, resonates with a universal audience. Encapsulating the status symbol of busy culture, the phrase denotes the chaos of modern life in such a fast-paced society. As we are surrounded by uniformly occupied people in various areas of expertise, it’s no wonder that we often feel overwhelmed and exhausted, desperately in need of a short break to set aside the pressure of seemingly endless tasks. 

Taking part in the social culture of busyness constructs an atmosphere that pressures constant participation in and out of the workplace, academic setting, or any environment. Naturally, short breaks are something that we all yearn for and ultimately depend on to get through the busy parts of the day. 

One of the best ways to spend that break can be watching your favorite show to get in a little laugh here and there, but what could you watch in such a limited period of time? 

South Korea’s “바쁘다 바빠 현대사회" paradigm brought about a trend in short-form content to embody one to two-hour variety shows. Not only does it align with South Korea’s snack culture that emphasizes the modern course of media content consumption that lasts 15 minutes or less, but the assimilation of variety shows on web platforms (mainly YouTube) satisfies the ideal needs of busy individuals in terms of easy access and short duration. Further, the global accessibility of most online content is arguably a groundbreaking advancement for every fandom that exists within the realm of Korean culture and entertainment. With all that they can offer, the growing presence of web variety shows is prominent in the rapid occupancy of short-form content across online platforms. 

For a brief introduction to the concept of web variety shows for those who may be fairly unfamiliar with them, here are a few recommendations of personal favorites!

MMTG

Let’s start with 문명특급 (MMTG), a pivotal channel that greatly contributed to the rise of Korean variety content on YouTube. Nested under the broadcast network SBS’s Digital News Lab subdivision, the channel first opened in 2018 and currently has a 1.97M subscriber base. The host of the show is the renowned Jaejae, a self-proclaimed “연반인" (a semi-celebrity) or more precisely a “half-celebrity and half-ordinary person.” The personality is actually an SBS production director, but taking on a concurrent role in producing and hosting MMTG, the interviewer is gaining high popularity among the public. Her witty yet respectful attitude towards guests, distinctive positive energy, and thorough preparation for interactions with her star interviewees are some qualities that naturally guide guests to unwind and immerse themselves to enjoy the interview to the fullest! It’s totally understandable as to why the personality went viral in the K-Pop scene that quickly expanded into the entertainment industry as a whole. Hands down, Jaejae is a well-recognized emcee of the time who really pours all effort into the show. If you’re down to watch some entertaining talk show content that ranges from 15 minutes to even 40 minutes (or even special projects like “Hidden Gems” that literally shouted THROWBACK! with appearances of second-generation idols), definitely check MMTG out here!

The Game Caterers

Despite the series’s original form as a web variety show, 출장 십오야 (The Game Caterers) has been adapted to air on television soon after. The format of the show is designed to be one of a business trip where the production team visits an event to provide a gaming service. Led by the producer Na Youngsuk––yes, the producer of the well-loved New Journey to the West series!––출장 십오야 (The Game Caterers) is pretty much directed in an identical manner. Familiar games like the “인물 퀴즈” (character quiz) are played at various sites by a group of celebrities. It’s heartwarming, entertaining, and fascinating to witness the diverse dynamics and interactions that blossom in the competitive space. Want to catch the beloved Vincenzo cast or YG Entertainment’s artist crew? Check out the channel here and immerse yourself into the thrilling game experience alongside your favorite celebrities!

Going Seventeen

Going Seventeen is a staple in life––at least for me personally. From the nerve-racking “Don’t Lie” episodes to the legendary “TTT” series, there are so many entertaining episodes that fully encapsulate the charms of the SEVENTEEN members. Not only does the web series attempt a wide range of concepts, but the depth as to how the different concepts have been designed and executed in each episode for years is beyond impressive. Not to forget, the editing is top-notch––the subtitles, transitions, and sprinkles of humor simply enhance the entertaining quality of the show. The chemistry among the members brings about an irreplaceable synergy that contributes to building up the unique mood of the web series, crafting a sense of connection with the audience that attracts them back to the channel and leaves them looking forward to the next video. The high viewer ratings from not only the group’s fandom but also other K-Pop fans stand as sufficient justifications for this contestable claim: Going Seventeen series is one of the top-ranking idol web variety shows in the industry! After all, the widespread popularity of the show gave rise to CUBIC, a fandom name to specifically address the avid supporters of Going Seventeen. Make sure to check the show out here.

There are times when your day can start off on the wrong foot. Or maybe everything was going smoothly until technical difficulties complicated the process of completing an important task. Perhaps your day is perfect; the breeze feels just right and you simply feel invincible as your emotional rhythm hits the peak of joy. Nevertheless, in any of these given scenarios, taking a short break would be ideal to orient your mood to a more positive one. So why not spend that break watching your favorite web variety show to bring a smile to your face?