Introduction
The Lunar New Year, known as Seollal in Korea, is a time of joyous celebration, family gatherings, and the spirit of renewal. For fans of Korean entertainment, the celebration brings a delightful treat in the form of special Lunar New Year episodes from their favorite shows. Notably, Korean variety shows have a long-standing custom of producing joyful and touching episodes to celebrate the Lunar New Year. In this blog post, we embark on a journey through the vibrant world of Korean television, exploring the unique charm and cultural significance embedded in these festive specials. Let’s see some of the programs that featured Seollal celebrations.
1. Infinite Challenge
Infinite Challenge is recognized as the first "Real-Variety" show in Korean television history. The show is almost entirely unscripted, shot in near darkness, and has a structure similar to challenge-based reality TV shows. Because the challenges are often ridiculous or impossible to complete, the show incorporates the satirical comic element of a variety show rather than being a standard reality or competition show. "Infinite Challenge" was a long-running South Korean variety show known for its diverse comedic and entertaining segments. The show often featured special episodes with celebrity guests, including famous K-pop groups like H.O.T.
H.O.T. was one of the pioneering K-pop groups in the late 1990s, and their influence on the Korean entertainment industry is significant. When H.O.T. reunited or appeared on shows like "Infinite Challenge," it was usually a highly anticipated event for fans. In the Seollal special episodes featuring H.O.T., the members participated in various challenges, games, and activities alongside the regular cast of "Infinite Challenge." These episodes often combined humor, nostalgia, and a celebration of the group's legacy in K-pop.
2. 2 Days 1 Night
The show follows a group of celebrities and comedians who embark on two-day, one-night trips to various destinations in South Korea. The primary format of "2 Days & 1 Night" involves the cast visiting different country regions, experiencing local culture, and participating in various challenges and missions. The cast members, led by a host or a designated leader, engage in activities that often showcase the beauty of South Korea's landscapes and traditions. The show's missions can include cultural tasks, games, outdoor adventures, and interactions with residents. This season has seen several member lineup changes, but 2 Days 1 Night has primarily maintained its structure. If guests fit the requirements of the episode's concept, they may be invited by the production team members.
These episodes, which take viewers to various locations throughout the city, center on Seoul's history and the changes that have occurred there over the past century. As they show images of the members' families at the places they went that day, the program is both emotional and historically accurate! As they remember the past, every member starts crying. Unbeknownst to him, veteran member Jongmin had snapped a photo in the exact location of his late father. This episode looked at the members’ personal lives, which fans do not get to see often.
3. Knowing Brothers
"Knowing Bros," also known as "Ask Us Anything" or "Men on a Mission," is a South Korean variety show that combines comedy, variety, and talk show elements. The show first premiered on December 5, 2015, and it quickly gained popularity for its unique format and entertaining content. Kang Ho-dong, Lee Soo-Geun, Kim Young-Chul, Seo Jang-hoon, Kim Heechul, Min Kyunghoon, Lee Sangmin, and Lee Jin-ho make up Knowing Bros' current fixed cast; Hwang Chi-you and Kim Se-Hwang were the show's original cast members in the first few episodes. Shindong and Jang Sung-kyu have hosted the game segments of the show, appearing as frequent special guests. The show follows a high school concept where the cast members play the roles of students. "Knowing Bros" includes various segments and scripted and improvised games. These segments often involve humor, quizzes, and challenges, creating a light-hearted and entertaining atmosphere. Celebrity guests from various fields, including music, acting, and sports, appear on the show.
On Seollal 2023, the guests were SinB, Eunha, Mi-sun, Hyer-yeon, Jimin, Mimi, YooA and Jiyun. The guests went on blind dates with the cast members by doing a closed voting. Everyone’s choices overlapped, and it was enjoyable to see their reactions. After the blind dating segment, they played a game where they needed to sing songs according to the syllables they were given. Then, they came back wearing hanboks( Korean traditional clothing). They also did New Year greetings. They played another game, and the winner would receive tasty Lunar New Year snacks: grilled rice cakes with a side of honey. The guests sang songs during and after the game.
The Return of Superman
On the Seollal special episode 2014, Sarang visits Junu and Junseo, and Haru visits Seojun and Seoeon. Hwijae and his wife Jeongwon try to play a candid camera trick on Tablo, but their prank backfires, and Jeongwon ends up suffering. The Jang brothers vie for Sarang's attention because of her cuteness. Sarang seems to prefer the older and more mature Junu as a playmate. Haru is excited about spending a night at the twins' home and cannot wait to play with them, but she makes Hwijae and her dad suffer through the entire night. The Seollal special is where all the families gather for the first time.
5. Running Man
The “Running Man” format revolves around a fixed cast of regular members, including Yoo Jae-suk, Kim Jong-kook, Haha, Lee Kwang-soo, Ji Suk-jin, Yang Se-chan, and Jeon So-min. Celebrity visitors usually join each episode's cast on games, quests, and challenges. The show’s central theme is a race, and the cast and guests must often complete missions at different locations to win the race or achieve a specific objective. The diverse missions include physical challenges, intellectual games, and humorous tasks. The unpredictable nature of the show, coupled with the chemistry and connection among the cast members, contributes to its appeal.
The Seollal special episode was published on January 10, 2011. In this episode, members compete in individual and team games to earn Running Balls with their names on them with the guest Kim Byung-Man. The guest’s mission was that Kim Byung-man had to find the four hidden walkie-talkies with the names of two Running Man members. Each walkie-talkie he found would eliminate the two members of the Chasing Team that were listed on it(Chasing Team: Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Kang Gary, HaHa, Lee Kwang-soo, Song Ji-Hyo, and Song Joong-ki). The chasing team won at the night’s end, and the running balls were put into the lottery machine. The individuals whose running balls were drawn would be exempt from this week's punishment.
Conclusion
From the captivating challenges on "Infinite Challenge" to the endearing family dynamics portrayed on "Return of Superman," each Lunar New Year episode offers a glimpse into the festive spirit that encompasses Korean television during this prosperous time. The shows entertain and bridge cultural gaps, allowing viewers from different backgrounds to appreciate the warmth, humor, and companionship that define these holiday specials. Through the lens of these episodes, we witness the versatility of Korean entertainment, seamlessly blending traditional customs with modern storytelling. May this year’s Seollal bring abundance, luck, and new TV show episodes.
Image credits:
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Rakutenviki.com
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Wikipedia.com
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imdb.com
