Korean variety shows are always entertaining to watch because of their unscripted comedy and the genuine interaction the cast has with one another. But not all are just fun and games—some Korean travel variety shows take you on a trip that will make you want to explore the different locations for yourself.
If you’re putting together a bucket list or are looking for inspiration for your next trip, check out these Korean travel variety shows that are sure to ignite your wanderlust.
2 Days 1 Night
2 Days 1 Night is a Korean travel variety show that travels throughout Korea—from the demilitarized zone (yes, the Season 3 cast has an episode of it!) to the eastern-most island of Dokdo to the mudflats on the western side to Jeju Island with its subtropical climate. They scale steep mountains, trek through dense forests, and introduce viewers to unique sights, sounds, and dishes. Sometimes, they roam the city; at other times, they’re left to survive in the wild or find themselves stranded on deserted islands. Viewers not only get to see the beautiful places, but watching the members compete for food and the best place to sleep for the night adds to the fun.
Current cast members: Kim Jong-min, Moon Se-yoon, Lee Joon (MBLAQ), Dindin, Yoo Seon-ho
Featured locations: South Korea
Earth Arcade
While Earth Arcade is a Korean travel variety show where the members travel to different places, there’s also a fun twist to it. They have to dress up in various characters to enter the game (hence the “arcade” part). Inside the game, they play various games to win prizes, but their biggest challenge is finding Torong, a mischievous bunny who serves the Jade Emperor by making tteokbokki (rice cakes). Torong leaves the cast members clues to his whereabouts, and if they want to get what they wish for, they need to catch him before the timer runs out.
For fans of New Journey to the West, Earth Arcade’s format may feel familiar, but the mix of cast members makes it refreshing.
Cast members: Lee Eun-ji, Mimi (OH MY GIRL), Lee Young-ji, Ahn Yu-jin (IVE)
Featured locations: Thailand, Finland, Bali, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Portugal
Europe Outside Your Tent Series
If you’ve ever needed motivation for a camping trip / road trip across Europe, look no further. And even if it never crossed your mind, you’ll probably be browsing flights and accommodations after watching the series.
This Korean travel variety show is all about using camping sites instead of fancy hotels, driving rental cars through scenic views instead of taking the train, and shopping in local markets and supermarkets instead of dining in posh restaurants.
The cast members (many of whom have never gone camping in Korea) learn how to pitch tents, navigate narrow streets, cook outdoors, and a whole lot more.
Of course, things never go as planned. Members get snowed in at one campsite, even in the middle of spring. They lose their way, hike to the top of a mountain for its views—and only to see nothing because it’s cloudy. But all this is what makes the journey fun, and if you’ve traveled before, you know it’s these little moments and mishaps that make a trip truly memorable.
Cast members: Various (changes per season, with some recurring members)
Featured locations: Switzerland, Italy, France, Norway, Spain
House on Wheels Series
House on Wheels started in 2020—a project to “bring” South Korea to the screens of the people who were stuck at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The concept was this: what if you could take a house with you and live in different places at different times?
Korean travel variety show House on Wheels explores different places in South Korea, but rather than in the gamified way that 2 Days 1 Night does, House on Wheels does it in a slow-paced way. You have the cast members and their guests watching the sunrise, cooking and enjoying meals at an unhurried pace, exploring areas that produce gochujang, doenjang, and soy sauce, paragliding, and more. It’s a very relaxing show—“healing”, even—and will make you want to see these places for yourself.
After the pandemic, it seemed like they were going to end the show, but due to popular demand, they recently filmed and showed Season 5 (Beyond the Ocean).
Cast members: Sung Dong-il, Kim Hee-won, and other various guests
Featured locations: South Korea
Law of the Jungle
If the other Korean travel variety shows feature relaxing trips or are all about games and fun, Law of the Jungle is about survival. The cast members are transported into the middle of nowhere with only the things on their backs to help them last the entire trip. They create makeshift beds out of leaves, forage for food, learn how to fish, pick berries and mushrooms that aren’t poisonous to eat, and make fires out of almost nothing. Leading them is Kim Byung-man, a multi-passionate variety show entertainer who has accomplished a multitude of things, driven by his passion and curiosity. He helps the guests, not just survive, but enjoy the beauty of living out in the wild.
Cast members: Kim Byung-man and various guests
Featured locations: Namibia, Indonesia, Oceania, Russia, Madagascar, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nepal, Belize, Tanzania, Kenya, Malaysia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Brunei, Nicaragua, Samoa, Tonga, Mongolia, East Timor, Fiji, Chile, Antarctica, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand, Philippines, South Korea, and other islands
Nana Tour
Nana Tour is a spin-off of Youth Over Flowers, specifically featuring K-Pop group Seventeen. Following the same format of the well-known Korean travel variety show, the members experience a surprise “kidnapping” before they are whisked off to Italy for a few days’ vacation, where they explore the country’s scenery, food, and various cultural spots. Of course, there are games to be played, challenges to win, but beyond that, we also catch a glimpse of the group’s entertaining camaraderie and their emotional bond.
Cast members: Seventeen members (except for S.Coups)—Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyuu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino
New Journey to the West
New Journey to the West features a hilarious cast and their many (mis)adventures as they travel through various places. A classic among all other Korean travel variety show classics, this series will leave you screaming with laughter with the cast’s actions and antics.
Originally, the cast members were assigned a character from the classic Chinese novel, New Journey to the West (hence the name of the series). Eventually, they introduced other characters for the cast members to dress up as. As they do in Earth Arcade, the cast members have to play games to win prizes or to eat. They must also collect all the dragon balls to get their wishes granted by the staff members.
Cast members: Kang Ho-dong, Lee Soo-geun, Eun Ji-won, Lee Seung-gi (past), Cho Kyu-hyun, Ahn Jae-hyun, Song Min-ho, P.O.
Featured locations: China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea
Rented in Finland
Rented in Finland takes some Korean celebrities who have lived in the city all their lives and leaves them in the heart of Lapland, Finland, where electricity and running water are luxuries. Where there is no internet or paved roads, but beautiful nature that stretches as far as the eye can see. Here, the city boys have to learn to cook rather than order takeout, go for a dip in the lake because there is no indoor shower, and do all sorts of things to adapt to their environment. Beyond their hilarious journey, this Korean travel variety show allows us to learn about the slow-paced, simple lives that the residents live and explore Lapland in the summer through their eyes.
Cast members: Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, Kwak Dong-yeon, Cha Eun-woo (ASTRO)
Featured locations: Finland
Twogether
What do you have when you pair a Korean star and a Taiwanese star—a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and definitely a lot of chaos! Twogether stars Korean singer and actor Lee Seung-gi and Taiwanese actor and model Jaspe Liu. Together, they embark on a trip throughout Asia in this fun-filled Korean travel variety show. What starts as a first awkward encounter turns into a memorable experience for both of them as they explore various places, try different foods, and meet some of their biggest fans.
Cast members: Lee Seung-gi, Jasper Liu
Featured locations: Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal
Youth Over Flowers
Youth Over Flowers is a Korean travel variety show that takes a group of friends on a sudden, low-budget backpacking trip to foreign countries. Because the cast members are taken by complete surprise, they are unprepared—no clothes packed, no money on hand—but the experience is one that brings them closer and bonds them together. The shows feature different guests—some of them are an assortment of celebrities who have been friends for a long time, while others feature cast members of specific TV series (e.g., the boys of Reply 1988).
Cast members: Various (changes per season)
Featured locations: Africa, Iceland, Australia
Note: Youth Over Flowers is a spin-off of a similar series, called Grandpas Over Flowers. Another similar series is Sisters/Noonas Over Flowers.
What Korean travel variety shows have you watched?
Which Korean travel variety show is your favorite? What else would you add to the list?
Looking for a different kind of variety show? Try Queer Eye, a Western makeover show.
