By now, most television fans have dipped their toes into Korean entertainment—from must-watch K-dramas to acclaimed Korean movies—but not as many viewers have been exposed to the vast world of Korean reality TV. Some of the most popular series in South Korea are variety shows that have been staples of international primetime TV for over a decade—and the rise of streaming has finally allowed the unique competition series to find a global audience. (Add in a recent influx of can't-miss dating shows, and Korea has become home to some great new series that sit among the best reality shows of all time.)
Korea's unscripted TV slate truly has something for everyone. There are survival shows if you're a fitness buff or find it thrilling to see people pushed to their physical limits; or if you're the type of person who plays along with Jeopardy or tries to solve mystery movies before the twist is revealed, there are several complex puzzle shows. Here, we've rounded up a selection of the best Korean reality shows to watch—grouped by the most popular genres—to welcome you into K-reality.
