Are K-reality shows the next Korean cultural trend?
Wrestler Jang Eun-sil and her team dragging a ship for one of their Physical 100 challenges"Try again," yells female wrestler Jang Eun-sil to her exasperated teammates.
It is a real-life Squid Game, except - spoiler - no-one dies. However, contestants have suffered broken ribs during filming. "I thought it would be popular, but not this big," laughed Jo Jin-hyeong, the colossal 41-year-old car dealer who stormed into the final five competitors by balancing a 50kg boulder on his shoulder for more than two hours.
"I watch because there are lots of hot people," said 25-year-old Hari. "Me too, that's the main reason," laughed her friend Da-hyun. But hotness aside, the pair are excited by the show's global success. The shows are unashamedly made for Korean audiences, and, according to award-winning director-producer Heo Hang, they are often "too Korean" - there is too much talking and words on the screen, which makes them hard to translate and digest.
The shows might not translate well, but the ideas do, meaning for years Korean companies have sold their formats abroad to be remade. The US hit, The Masked Singer, which has celebrities conceal their identities while they perform, is a South Korean export. Its producers have sold the rights to more than 50 countries.
Korean reality is "shaping up as the next big K-content trend," says Yoo Ki-hwan, the unscripted content manager for Netflix in Korea.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Investigation launched after 'more than 100 fish found dead' in polluted riverWhite foam has been pictured on the surface of the River Bollin in Macclesfield
Read more »
Baby among 30 dead after boat carrying more than 100 migrants breaks apartA young baby was among at least 30 people killed when a boat carrying more than 100 migrants broke apart in rough seas off Italy’s southern coast.
Read more »
Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney's new movie lands 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating“Reality transcends staginess as a strikingly well-realised piece of filmmaking.'
Read more »
Raducanu in danger of dropping out of top 100 as she withdraws from another tournamentEmma Raducanu cannot catch a break at the moment as she was forced to withdraw from another tournament. The 20-year-old had been scheduled to play the WTA 250 event in Austin, Texas – which w…
Read more »
Lancs woman who has travelled to 100 countries - and captured it all on cameraA photojournalist from Clitheroe has captured the heart of West Africa - meeting tribes, indigenous people and taking part in celebrations, all for the love of different cultures
Read more »
Italian coast guard recovers roughly 30 bodies after migrant boat breaks apartIt is believed the vessel was carrying more than 100 migrants
Read more »