Zombie-themed survival games? Check. Passionate dating shows? Check. There are so many must-watch gems in Korean entertainment’s slate of reality TV shows in 2025 that you will not want to stay a moment away from your screens.
Leading the list is the Netflix global hit Single’s Inferno, which is grabbing multiple headlines with its fourth instalment. One of the best Korean dating reality shows to release in 2025, Single’s Inferno season 4, just like its predecessors, sees the hottest singles in South Korea searching for love on a deserted island. Since the premiere of its first season in 2021, the Korean reality TV series has become a worldwide phenomenon. While Season 1 became the first Korean unscripted series to enter the Netflix Global Top 10 TV Series (Non-English) chart, season 2 recorded a whopping 65.08 million viewing hours. Season 3 further expanded on the show’s success by maintaining its position in Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English) chart for five consecutive weeks.
Viewers will also get another chance to enjoy some spicy kitchen drama this year with Culinary Class Wars season 2. With judges Paik Jong-won and Anh Sung-jae, season 1 of the Korean reality TV series became the most-watched Non-English show on Netflix worldwide for three consecutive weeks.
Talking about season 2, director Yoo Ki-hwan said in an interview with the OTT platform, “We’re delighted to announce the production of Culinary Class Wars season 2, driven by the incredible fan response both in Korea and around the world.”
Thanking fans for their immense love, Yoo added, “Bringing a show of this scale to life requires immense effort, and we’re deeply grateful for the love and enthusiasm we’ve received so far. As we continue to expand our unscripted offerings, we look forward to bringing even more distinctive and exciting shows to our audience in the near future.”
Not to forget the Korean reality show Physical: 100, which is set to return with its third instalment in 2025. For the uninitiated, season 2 of the show dominated Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows category with over 6.1 million views from 18 to 24 March 2024.
These 2025 Korean reality shows will keep you hooked
1 /6
Created by: Kim Jae-won, Park Su-ji and Kim Jung-hyun
Hosts: Hong Jin-kyung, Lee Da-hee, Hanhae, Kyuhyun, Dex
Episodes: 12
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: A group of eligible singles from South Korea search for love on the deserted island, ‘Inferno’. The only way out is to find the right match and leave for ‘Paradise’ — a luxurious island where the contestants can enjoy fun dates.
Also read: Single’s Inferno season 4 release schedule
Watch Single’s Inferno season 4 on Netflix.
2 /6
Created by: Lee Joo-yeon, Ju Mi-rye, Kim Yo-seb, Yoo Si-won, Lee So-rim and Kim Sol
Hosts: Paik Jong-won and Anh Sung-jae
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: 80 amateur chefs, grouped as Black Spoons, from across Korea compete against 20 award-winning chefs, collectively known as White Spoons.
(Image credit: netflixkcontent/X)
3 /6
Created by: Jang Ho-gi
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: A group of 100 contestants from diverse fitness backgrounds compete in multiple quests to determine who has the ideal physique. The 100 contestants range from FBI diplomats, athletes and actors to police officers, military men and rookie K-pop singers.
(Image credit: Netflix)
4 /6
Created by: Jung Jong-yeon
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: 14 contestants from diverse backgrounds live together for seven days and compete in intense and mind-bending games to claim the title of ‘The Ultimate Brain’.
5 /6
Created by: Jung Hyo-min, Lee So-min and Hwang Yoon-seo
Hosts: Kian84, Jin, Ji Ye-eun
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Webtoon artist Kian84 will personally conceptualise, design and operate a unique homestay for popular guests in the natural paradise of Ulleungdo.
(Image credit: netflixkorea/X)
6 /6
Created by: Cho Hyo-jin
Hosts: Yoo Jae-suk, Kwon Yu-ri, Dex, Kim Dong-hyun
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Disney Plus
Synopsis: Cast members will be put into eight survival-themed simulations through ‘The Zone’ with the assistance of an artificial intelligence machine. Their goal is to endure the simulations while completing missions within four hours.
(Image credit: Disney Plus)
