For my first cultural post, I will talk about the South Korean variety show, I Live Alone or 나 혼자 산다. This television program revolves around a group of rotating entertainers who present their personal lives to the viewer and each other. Each host and guest shares one common attribute, they live alone. The show delves into the experience of being independent in South Korea and how people make the most of their single lives. Currently, there are over 360 episodes that span the course of the last 7 years. Many celebrity guests have joined the program and showed the public how they lived their lives and some became full-time members of the Rainbow Club, the group that hosts the show.
I Live Alone provides a unique perspective into the lives of others and makes you feel a deep sonder. For the South Korean people, many celebrities are like untouchable idols and pieces of art. This relationship feels distant and disconnected. I Live Alone tells a story every week that shows how everyone is just living their lives to the fullest that they can. No one is really perfect despite how the television screen portrays them to be. There are silly moments, monotonous moments, defeated moments, and genuinely touching moments for everyone no matter where they are in their life. Sometimes, when people come home from a rough day, it is simply fun to have people to relate to.
Aside from the relatable moments, I Live Alone is a genuinely funny show. I can’t help but laugh every time I see the members’ antics and reactions. The cast of hosts are just like the viewer, reacting to the lives of their friends and of the guests if there are any that episode. They voice the thoughts and reactions that you have and the viewing process feels reciprocal and engaging.
In the latest episode, we watched how friends spent time together during the aftermath of a global pandemic. Since they couldn’t go on vacation anywhere, they set up an inflatable pool, played games and enjoyed themselves. The hosts shared their troubles of how a recent typhoon disrupted many of their work plans and finally took time off from their extreme schedules. Sometimes it is healthy and rejuvenating to just loosen up and act a bit childish.
One of my favorite members is Kian84, a full-time cartoonist and artist. Originally Kian84 struggled to fit into the limelight of public television. As a person who spent most of their time working alone on art, he stood out as someone who lacked the common sense of showbiz. However, that fact is what drew many viewers to like his style. He represents how most viewers are and his imperfections help to enhance that effect.
I highly recommend I Live Alone to anyone who is looking for a funny and relatable show to watch every week. The show may be several hundred episodes long but it is a fantastic experience to delve into at any time.
Comments
Hi Victor, thanks for sharing this Korean variety show I Live Alone. I appreciate how you tied it to the perception of celebrities in Korea. I think Kian84 sounds like a cool character, and the inflatable pool incident sounds especially funny! I’m happy you’ve founded some light-hearted Korean cultural artifacts during this crazy pandemic season.
I enjoy watching the Korean variety show Return of Superman. In the show, a celebrity father is left to takecare of his children by himself for 48 hours. The show is very wholesome and there are a lot of funny and adorable moments. I think you might enjoy it.