[TF Prism] Taking Charge of the 'Weekend Living Room'... Long-Running Reality Variety

Introduction to the long-running real variety entertainment programs of the three major terrestrial broadcasters'Ratings' and 'Popularity' have declined, but still a distinct 'Identity'The real variety entertainment programs '1 Night 2 Days', 'Running Man', and 'How Do You Play?' (from left) are meeting viewers in their living rooms every weekend. /Each Production Company[THE FACT | Reporter Moon Chae-young] Real variety programs on terrestrial channels have been a cornerstone of entertainment for a long time, accompanying viewers. Weekend variety shows, in particular, were once called 'National Entertainment' due to their high ratings and buzz, enjoying immense public popularity.With the emergence of various platforms such as OTT (Online Video Service) and YouTube, TV viewing methods have changed significantly, and it is true that it is difficult to achieve the overwhelming ratings or buzz of the past. Nevertheless, there are programs that deliver small joys to weekend viewers based on the know-how and symbolism accumulated over years and decades.KBS2 has been broadcasting '1 Night 2 Days' for 19 years since its first broadcast in 2007, and SBS's 'Running Man' has been meeting viewers for 16 years since 2010. MBC is also continuing 'How Do You Play?', which started as a successor to 'Infinite Challenge', for 7 years, playing its part as each company's representative entertainment program.KBS2's entertainment program '1 Night 2 Days' has been consistently delivering fun to weekend living rooms since 2007. It is currently broadcasting Season 4, composed of Moon Se-yoon, Lee Yong-jin, Lee Jun, DinDin, and Lee Ki-taek. /KBS2◆ KBS2's '1 Night 2 Days', Soon to Be 20th Anniversary, A History of Travel VarietyIn the travel real variety genre, '1 Night 2 Days' cannot be left out.KBS2's entertainment program '1 Night 2 Days' is a program that captures the journey of six cheerful men traveling to beautiful places across Korea for one night and two days. It provides fun with various missions and luck-based games and has high recognition among domestic travel programs.Since its first broadcast in 2007, the program has consistently continued its seasons. After proceeding with Season 2 in 2012 and Season 3 in 2013, Season 4 began in 2019. Across all seasons, approximately 1,000 episodes have been broadcast, and it is soon approaching its 20th anniversary.'1 Night 2 Days' also played a significant role in elevating popular entertainment PD Na Young-seok to his current position. Na Young-seok was the main PD for Season 1, which ran from 2007 to 2012. He gained viewer support for his approachable demeanor with the cast members and led '1 Night 2 Days' to success with his witty games.As it is a long-running program, there have been many changes in the cast. Season 1, which established the identity of '1 Night 2 Days', featured Kang Ho-dong, Lee Soo-geun, Eun Ji-won, Noh Hong-chul, Lee Seung-gi, and others. Season 2 included Kim Seung-woo, Yoo Hae-jin, Cha Tae-hyun, Sung Si-Kyung, Joo Won. Season 3 featured Kim Joon-ho, Defconn, Lee Yong-jin, Yoon Si-yoon. Season 4 has seen Yeon Jung-hoon, Jo Se-ho, Kim Seonho, Na In-woo, and Yoo Seon-ho, and currently Moon Se-yoon, Lee Yong-jin, Lee Jun, DinDin, and Lee Ki-taek are active.However, Kim Jong-min is an exception. Despite numerous cast changes, Kim Jong-min is the only cast member who has been with '1 Night 2 Days' for its 20-year history, from Season 1 to the present.'1 Night 2 Days' airs every Sunday at 6:10 PM.SBS's entertainment program 'Running Man' continues with a 7-member system, including original members Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong Kook, Haha, Song Ji-hyo, and new members Yang Se-chan and Ji Ye-eun. It provides fun with various missions and games. /SBS◆ SBS's 'Running Man', the 'Longest-Running Variety Show' in Korea with a Single SeriesSBS has 'Running Man', a real variety show that has been running for 16 years.SBS's entertainment program 'Running Man' is a program where members and star guests make a lot of effort to create laughter. In the early days, there were chase games, so-called 'name tag ripping', fitting the program's title 'Running Man', but recently, the format has expanded to various concepts of games.'Running Man' began its first broadcast in July 2010 and is celebrating its 16th anniversary this year. As of the 13th, it has surpassed 820 episodes and is the longest-running variety entertainment show in Korea with a single season.A notable point is the appropriate balance between original and new members. In addition to Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong Kook, Haha, and Song Ji-hyo, who have been fixed cast members since 2010, Yang Se-chan joined in 2017 and Ji Ye-eun in 2024, continuing the broadcast with the current 7-member system.It is also broadcast to viewers in over 100 countries, enjoying great global popularity. In particular, China officially imported the rights to 'Running Man' and is broadcasting a program titled 'Keep Running'. YUQI, a Chinese member of the group (G)I-DLE, familiar to us, has been the MC since 2019.'Running Man' airs every Sunday at 6:10 PM.MBC's entertainment program 'How Do You Play?' captures viewers' laughter with its consistently novel concept corners. Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae are fixed cast members. /MBC◆ MBC's 'How Do You Play?', A Master of 'Concept Immersion' Including Sub-CharactersMBC's real variety show 'How Do You Play?', a successor to 'Infinite Challenge', has also reached its 7th anniversary.MBC's entertainment program 'How Do You Play?' is an open-ended variety program with no limits, where entertainers deliver fun and emotion. It creates a cheerful atmosphere with members who become immersed in different concepts each time.The program, which first aired in July 2019, garnered much attention as the new work of Kim Tae-ho PD, who directed MBC's flagship entertainment program 'Infinite Challenge' from 2006 to 2019. In particular, the news of working with Yoo Jae-suk, the main MC of 'Infinite Challenge', excited many fans.The early broadcast started with Yoo Jae-suk as a solo cast member. It pursued unique fun by continuously introducing Yoo Jae-suk's sub-characters such as Yoo Star, Yoo San-seul, Yoo Ra-se, and Yoo Eur-pheus. However, from 2021, it transitioned to a group entertainment show by recruiting Jung Joon-ha, Haha, Shin Bong-sun, LEE MI-JOO, and others.Furthermore, with Kim Tae-ho PD leaving the program in 2022, the entertainment show took on a completely different atmosphere. The current 'How Do You Play?' invites various guests and unfolds with members enjoying different challenges under various concepts. As a result of continuous changes in the cast lineup, Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Joo Woo-jae have solidified their positions.The program consistently records ratings in the 3-4% range, not showing remarkable performance, but it continues to garner attention by consistently presenting corners that pique viewers' interest with Yoo Jae-suk, a popular broadcaster. In particular, the '80s Seoul Music Festival' presented this year gained much popularity.'How Do You Play?' airs every Saturday at 6:30 PM.mcy21@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]