Netflix unveils reality show lineups spanning different genres

From top-left, clockwise, producers Jung Hyo-min, Kim Jae-won, Jung Jong-yeon, Park Jin-kyoung and Lee Eun-kyoung pose during Netflix's press conference for unscripted shows, held in Myeong-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Netflix

By Lee Gyu-lee

Netflix Korea is set to roll out a string of unscripted shows across different genres this year, ranging from dating and zombies to game competition.

Yoo Ki-hwan, Netflix Korea's manager for unscripted content / Courtesy of Netflix

Yoo Ki-hwan, Netflix Korea's manager for unscripted content, said the platform will release seven more reality shows throughout the year ― a raunchy talk show called "Risque business," "Siren: Survive the Island," a female version of the "Physical: 100" competition show, zombie survival program, "Zombieverse," a new season of the hit teen dating show, "Single's Inferno 3," called "Nineteen to Twenty," and survival game, "The Devil's Plan."

"This time around last year, we said we will launch Korean unscripted shows and we are grateful to present a variety of them, from 'Single's Inferno,' 'Korea No.1,' 'Physical: 100,' as well as 'In the Name of God.' In particular, 'Physical: 100' topped the platform's global chart, (despite) the chances of unscripted shows becoming a global success," he said, during the press conference, held in Myeong-dong, Seoul, Tuesday.

"We are still at an early stage (with unscripted shows) and have a long way to go. But we have an even greater variety of shows set this year so we hope you look forward to it."

Yoo shared that the streaming platform incorporated a new approach to unscripted shows with its upcoming lineup of programs, hoping to benefit from the popularity of K-reality shows. One is a "mid-form" genre show, like "Risque business," which reduces its production time to half of the previous unscripted shows.

A scene from Netflix's upcoming competition show, "Siren: Survive the Island" / Courtesy of Netflix

"We will also have a mid-form reality show, which will have a shorter running time and turnaround speed of production compared to other reality shows … This is something that Netflix has never tried before," he said.

"Until now, there's been a notion that Netflix only creates unscripted shows that requires a long production period and budget, but such shows are not meant to be heavy. There also should be more easygoing, lighthearted genres. So we came up with a mid-form genre to make that approach."

"Risque business," created by "Korea No.1" producer, Jung Hyo-min, will be the first of the upcoming lineup, premiering on April 25. The talk show, hosted by comedian Shin Dong-youp and singer Sung Si-kyung, will explore adult entertainment in japan and Taiwan as the duo meets people from all walks of life to discuss the taboo industry.

Producer Lee Eun-kyoung, who co-led Netflix's talk show, "Paik's Spirit," will debut a competition show, "Siren: Survive the Island." The show will invite 24 female participants, teamed up based on their profession ― police officers, firefighters, bodyguards, soldiers, athletes, and stuntwomen ― to fight against each team for survival on a remote island.

"The contestants told us that they wanted to join our program to show how resilient they can be if four people with the same mission team up together. And that was the difference our show has (with other shows). I believe you will be able to see how each group of professionals approach and handle situations," the producer said.

A scene from the zombie survival show "Zombieverse" / Courtesy of Netflix

"Zombieverse," led by "My Little Television" creator Park Jin-kyoung, will combine a cinematic element and zombie apocalypse with a reality show. Set in Seoul, its cast members are put in the midst of a zombie virus outbreak and must go through challenging quests to outwit the zombies and come out alive.

Park said he intended the show to appeal to global audiences with its universal theme of zombies.

"(My previous reality shows) have a deep Korean sentiment so even though the format is sold abroad, they would alter them in a way that I didn't expect. This time, I created the show so it could be enjoyed by anyone," he said.

Kim Jae-won, the producer of the hit dating show, "Single's Inferno," will be presenting the new season of the show, as well as the teen dating show "Nineteen to Twenty."

The producer hinted that the latest season of "Single's Inferno" will have a twist to its format. "We are planning some changes to the settings, like paradise and inferno, as well as the rules," he said.

Producer Jung Jong-yeon, who rose to fame through game shows like "The Genius" and "Great Escape," is creating a new game survival show, "The Devil's Plan." The mind-bending survival game will invite contestants to live together for a week and compete to be the smartest player and win the ultimate prize.

The producer said the show will be the epitome of his previous experience with survival game shows.

"It is similar to my previous shows, but I gathered all my know-how of brain game survival to create this new format," he said.