LIST: 10 idol variety shows to binge-watch

From their stunning visuals, powerful performances, and angelic vocals, it’s hard not to think of your favorite K-pop idols are “gods and goddesses in their own right.” 

But true fans know that deeper adoration comes from realizing that no matter how perfect they seem, they can be just as loud, sabaw, and chaotic as us.

So if you’re planning to get to know your idols more, binge-watching their reality shows will do the trick.

GOING SEVENTEEN

STATUS: Ongoing (with more than 100 episodes)

WHERE TO WATCH: SEVENTEEN’s YouTube channel 

WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Yes 

WHEN: A new episode every Wednesday 

Going Seventeen started in 2017 as a behind-the-scenes footage of the groups’ activities. By the end of 2019, the group decided to have each of the 13 members pitch their own ideas for the show. From playing their favorite mafia game, going to a horror house and escape room, conducting their own photoshoot and even bungee jumping – the group has pretty much done everything on this show. In fact, it’s generated a separate fandom: CUBICs or avid watchers of the variety show Going Seventeen who aren’t necessarily full-blown fans of SEVENTEEN yet.

TIME TO TWICE

STATUS: Ongoing (currently on its 9th season, 5 episodes per season)

WHERE TO WATCH: TWICE’s YouTube channel

With English subtitles: Yes 

WHEN: A new episode every Friday 

Best way to end the school or work week? Tune in to Time to Twice! With each season having different themes – noraebang (karaoke), camping, high school, crime scene, chocolate factory, you can pretty much see the 9 members do everything in this reality show. WARNING: your bias list will constantly change once you see the members’ competitive spirit!

RUN BTS

STATUS: Ongoing (with more than 130 episodes so far)

WHERE TO WATCH: BTS’s V LIVE Channel (free, no need for membership)

WHEN: A new episode every Tuesday

WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Yes

They might be known to the world as record-breaking idols, but for ARMYs, they’re simply our favorite boys. Since its production in 2015, BTS has done several games, missions, and challenges and shared more personal behind-the-scenes content in Run BTS! With almost 140 episodes, our favorite list just keeps growing. But the “Pajama Party” and “BTS vs. Zombies” will always be some of our top picks!

24/365 WITH BLACKPINK

STATUS: First season aired in 2020, 16 episodes

WHERE TO WATCH: BLACKPINK’s YouTube channel 

With English subtitles: Yes 

As the name suggests, 24/365 is your go-to when you need your daily dose of BLACKPINK. From watching the members do magic tricks or pretend to be high school students, to behind-the-scenes footage from their music video shoots, BLINKs will only enjoy seeing Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé in their candid moments.

SuperM’s MTOPIA

STATUS: 1st season (total of 14 episodes) aired in 2020

WHERE TO WATCH: YouTube, SM C&C STUDIO’s Channel

WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Yes

SM Entertainment’s “super group” set off on a special vacation to enjoy water activities, dodge booby traps, go-karting, and so much more. The 14 episodes feature the dubbed “K-pop’s avengers” having fun in their own “Mtopia.”

CODENAME: SECRET ITZY

STATUS: Ongoing (currently has 9 episodes)

WHERE TO WATCH: ITZY’s YouTube channel 

WHEN: Every Tuesday 

WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Yes 

Far from their powerful image, ITZY members are just fun, unapologetically loud, and laidback (unless the episode’s mission requires them to be competitive) in Codename: Secret ITZY.  It’s only been two months since the series started airing and already, we can’t get enough of the five members’ adorable antics.

NCT LIFE

STATUS: Currently spans 10 seasons, the latest season aired in 2020.

WHERE TO WATCH: NCT’s VLIVE CHANNEL (for free, no need for membership)

WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Yes

Knowing that NCT has 23 members might be overwhelming for a new fan, but we assure you, “the more, the merrier” applies to this group. The 10 seasons will pretty much take you on a roller-coaster ride as you watch from their beginnings as rookies to touring cities around the globe as renowned idols.

LOONA THE TAM

STATUS: Two seasons were aired in 2020

WHERE TO WATCH: LOONA’s YouTube channel 

WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Yes 

The 12 LOONA members can get pretty competitive, if you base it on their channel alone. For both seasons, the members were divided into several teams and had to compete against each other in different missions. 

FINDING SKZ

STATUS: 2 seasons (season 1 aired in 2019, season 2 in 2020), 11 episodes in total

WHERE TO WATCH: STRAY KIDS’ V LIVE CHANNEL

With English subtitles: Yes

JYP Entertainment’s hit boy group show off their charms and “god powers” in the 11 episodes. The members train to become mainstream entertainers in the first season and go through 8 exciting challenges in the second season.

GOT7’s HARD CARRY

STATUS: 3 seasons (season 1 aired in 2016, season 2 in 2018, season 2.5 in 2019), 18 episodes in total

WHERE TO WATCH: GOT7’s YOUTUBE AND VLIVE CHANNELS

With English subtitles: Yes

You’re probably missing the 7 hilarious boys. What better way to raise Ahgases’ serotonin levels than to rewatch GOT7’s variety show? From fun missions to bonding with each other, you’ll surely be reminded of why you love and support GOT7. – Rappler.com