Introduction
Korean variety shows are where comedy, chaos, and surprisingly real emotion collide. Whether it is a cast of comedians losing a ridiculous race, a celebrity running a guesthouse, or a group of stars solving a haunted-apartment mystery in period costume, K-variety has a format for every mood.
2026 has been a busy year, with long-running favorites still going strong and Netflix Korea releasing new unscripted shows almost every month. Here are the funniest Korean reality and variety shows to put on your watchlist this year, along with Apartment404, a fan favorite worth a rewatch.
Quick List
| Show | Platform | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Running Man | SBS (weekly, Sundays) | Classic chaotic games and a legendary cast |
| Apartment404 | Prime Video / tvN | Mystery plus comedy, with a star-studded cast |
| Ready or Not: Texas | Netflix | Road-trip comedy with real-life besties |
| Jae-seok’s B&B Rules! | Netflix | Cozy hosting chaos with Yoo Jae-suk |
| Kian’s Bizarre B&B (Season 2) | Netflix | Offbeat guesthouse comedy |
| Agents of Mystery (Season 2) | Netflix | Mystery missions with a goofy all-star cast |
| Better Late Than Single (Season 2) | Netflix | Wholesome, funny dating-show energy |
1. Running Man
Where to watch: SBS (weekly, Sundays) | Status: Running since 2010
No list of funny Korean shows is complete without Running Man. The long-running SBS series sends its cast and guests through missions and games, usually ending with someone being humiliated in the most entertaining way possible. The 2026 cast includes Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Haha, Song Ji-hyo, and Ji Ye-eun.
- Why it is funny in 2026: The “Age Notice Survival” race led to costume results that had viewers laughing, and that episode (aired February 8) posted the show’s best ratings of the year so far.
- Milestone episodes: The cast celebrated Ji Suk-jin’s 60th birthday in a February episode, and a July episode reunited Yoo Jae-suk and Ji Suk-jin with fellow comedians Jo Hye-ryeon and Song Eun-i for a 1995-themed nostalgia race.
- Best for: Anyone new to K-variety, since you can jump into almost any episode.
2. Apartment404
Where to watch: Prime Video (originally on tvN) | Episodes: 8 | Status: Season 1 aired February 23 to April 12, 2024
Apartment404 is not a 2026 release, but we are including it because it remains one of the most rewatchable shows in the genre, and it is easy to marathon in a weekend.
The concept is a retro mystery-variety show set in an apartment building. Six residents investigate extraordinary events based on true stories, and each episode takes place in a different era and location. The cast splits into two teams, joined by special guests, and compete against one another, with one person crowned the winner at the end of the series.
- The cast: Yoo Jae-suk, Cha Tae-hyun, Oh Na-ra, Yang Se-chan, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, and Lee Jung-ha, who made his variety debut here.
- The team behind it: Producing director Jeong Cheol-min, who also worked on Running Man and Sixth Sense.
- Why it works: The humor comes from the chemistry. Yoo Jae-suk leads, Yang Se-chan brings the comedy, and Jennie’s variety sense surprised plenty of viewers, while the period set recreations make every episode feel like a mini time capsule.
- Best for: Fans of mystery variety, and anyone who wants comedy with a story attached.
3. Ready or Not: Texas
Where to watch: Netflix | Released: March 24, 2026 | Episodes: 6
This travel variety show comes from star producer Na Yeong-seok, the mind behind 2 Days & 1 Night and New Journey to the West. He and his real-life friend, actor Lee Soo-jin, head to Dallas, Texas, joined by surprise guests, for a laid-back road trip across America.
- Why it is funny: Two close friends, one unfamiliar country, and a producer who knows how to turn small awkward moments into big laughs.
- Best for: Viewers who love travel comedy and natural banter.
4. Jae-seok’s B&B Rules!
Where to watch: Netflix | Released: May 26, 2026 | Episodes: 10
Korea’s top MC Yoo Jae-suk runs a guesthouse, with Running Man alumni Lee Kwang-soo and Ji Ye-eun and K-drama star Byeon Woo-seok as his staff. Their guests are non-celebrities who come for a relaxing three-day, two-night stay.
- Why it is funny: A staff full of variety veterans trying to run a smooth hospitality operation is a recipe for comedy, and the show leans into the warm, cozy side of the hospitality genre.
- Best for: Anyone who wants low-stress, feel-good viewing.
5. Kian’s Bizarre B&B (Season 2)
Where to watch: Netflix | Release date: September 22, 2026 | Episodes: 6
Season 1 featured actress Ji Ye-eun and BTS’s Jin. Season 2 takes viewers to a new location where Kian84’s inventive hospitality and offbeat charm reshape what a guesthouse can be. This time his staff includes former volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung, actor Lee Jun-ho, and LE SSERAFIM’s Kazuha.
- Why it is funny: Kian84’s unconventional way of running a guesthouse, plus a very mixed cast of celebrities from sports, acting, and K-pop.
- Best for: Fans of the first season and anyone who likes quirky, character-driven comedy.
6. Agents of Mystery (Season 2)
Where to watch: Netflix | Released: February 27, 2026 | Episodes: 9
From The Devil’s Plan producer Jeong Jong-yeon, this show sends six “agents” to solve strange cases in six hours while stuck in unusual locations. The cast includes comedian Lee Yong-jin, John Park, Girl’s Day’s Hyeri, aespa’s Karina, and actor Kim Do-hoon, and dancer GABEE joins in Season 2.
- Why it is funny: Occult-themed missions, a cast of very different personalities, and plenty of panic when the clock is ticking.
- Best for: Fans of Apartment404, Busted!, and The Zone: Survival Mission.
7. Better Late Than Single (Season 2)
Where to watch: Netflix | Released: July 7, 2026 (weekly) | Episodes: 6
This sweet dating show helps “eternal singles” take their first steps into the dating world, guided by hosts and mentors Seo In-guk, Kang Han-na, Lee Eun-ji, and Car, the Garden. It is more wholesome than wild, but the hosts’ reactions and the participants’ awkward first moments bring plenty of laughs.
- Best for: Viewers who want something funny, gentle, and easy to binge.
Evergreen Picks
If you finish this list and want more, a few long-running favorites are always a safe bet:
- Knowing Bros: A classroom-style talk show with informal humor and variety-game segments.
- 2 Days & 1 Night: A popular travel variety show with games and challenges across Korea.
How to Choose
- Want classic chaos? Start with Running Man.
- Want mystery with laughs? Watch Apartment404 or Agents of Mystery.
- Want cozy and feel-good? Pick Jae-seok’s B&B Rules! or Better Late Than Single.
- Want a road-trip comedy? Go for Ready or Not: Texas.
- Want something quirky? Try Kian’s Bizarre B&B Season 2.
Tips for First-Time K-Variety Viewers
- Start with Netflix titles. They come with subtitles and dubbing in many languages, and shorter seasons make them easy to finish.
- Expect on-screen captions. Big text on the screen to underline jokes and reactions is a signature of the genre, so you will quickly get used to it.
- Do not worry about backstory. Most shows work as stand-alone episodes, so you can jump in anywhere, especially with Running Man.
- Follow the cast. Many of these shows share casts and producers. If you love Yoo Jae-suk in Apartment404, try Jae-seok’s B&B Rules! next.
Final Verdict
Korean variety in 2026 offers something for every kind of viewer, from the weekly chaos of Running Man to the cozy hospitality comedy of the Netflix B&B shows. If you only have time for a few, start with Running Man for the laughs, Apartment404 for a mystery you can binge in a weekend, and Ready or Not: Texas for a relaxed road trip.
Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments and we will keep this list updated as new shows arrive.
FAQs
Which Korean variety show is the funniest in 2026? Running Man remains the safest pick for pure comedy, while Apartment404 is a top choice if you like humor mixed with mystery.
Is Apartment404 a 2026 show? No. Season 1 aired in 2024 and has 8 episodes. We included it because it is one of the best shows to watch if you enjoy this genre.
Who is in the cast of Apartment404? Yoo Jae-suk, Cha Tae-hyun, Oh Na-ra, Yang Se-chan, Jennie of BLACKPINK, and Lee Jung-ha.
Where can I watch Apartment404? On Prime Video.
Do I need to know Korean to enjoy these shows? No. All the Netflix titles offer subtitles, and Running Man and Apartment404 are widely available with English subtitles.
Which show should a beginner start with? Running Man for the classic K-variety experience, or Apartment404 if you want a shorter, eight-episode watch.
Is there a Season 2 of Apartment404? We did not find any announcement of a second season.