Netflix has ignited the new year with the ‘Single’s Inferno’ series, and as the year closes, they promise ongoing success with the hit ‘Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War 2’.
In September of last year, the unprecedented success of ‘Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War’ sparked a culinary craze, with terms like ‘even cook’ and ‘overcooked’ presenting a new paradigm for food expression among audiences.
The chefs who appeared shot to stardom, and even the restaurants experienced fierce reservation battles as a testament to their popularity. With the upcoming release of Season 2, the list of chefs’ restaurants featured in the trailer is trending online.
Internationally, ‘Physical: Asia’ has been making significant strides. While the ‘Physical: 100’ series has long been a global hit, the latest installment introduces the first national competition aspect, expanding its reach and popularity.
Representatives from countries including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines have captured global sports fans’ admiration, with Mongolia especially showing national support through endorsements by notable figures such as the former president and the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Moreover, following the success of ‘Physical: 100’ in the U.S. and Italy, the announcement of spin-offs reaffirms the diverse potential for expansion in Korean variety shows.
Beloved series have exhibited their enduring strength with fresh twists. ‘Single’s Inferno 4’ captivated audiences over the new year with a whirlwind of romance and unique star talents. Season 5 is set to return as Netflix’s first variety show in early 2026.
Meanwhile, ‘I May Be Single, but I Want to Date’ expanded the realm of romantic programming with harmless humor and sitcom-like romance. After airing, news of cast members escaping ‘single status’ became a hot topic, sensationalizing the summer.
The immediate confirmation of Season 2 of ‘Single Life Dating’, with its slated 2026 release, assures another form of entertainment.
Remaining notable from previous seasons, brainy variety shows continue to generate buzz with unexpected twists. ‘Devil’s Plan: Death Room’ rapidly climbed to the global TOP 10 TV show rankings (non-English) since its May release, enthralling audiences with intense psychological battles.
The role-playing mystery game ‘Crime Scene Zero’ returns on Netflix, featuring an upscaled production and comedy, enriched by the producers’ accumulated expertise and the players’ well-crafted chemistry, leading to a heightened focus in early autumn.
The new concept B&B variety show ‘Total Mess Guesthouse’ showcased inventive ideas and an expansion of the B&B genre. Particularly, Ki Ahn-84’s role as a host offered unique romantic and humorous experiences, coupled with heartfelt emotion, confirming the production of Season 2 and currently recruiting guests in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.
The first-ever Netflix variety show by the Na Young-seok team, ‘Three Meals in Kenya’, features the trio’s ‘truly funny’ chemistry, combining wholesome, gut-busting entertainment with the synergy between wild entertainers and Netflix, offering familiar fun for domestic viewers and showcasing authentic ‘K-variety’ style to global audiences with enthusiastic responses.
The myriad of daily variety shows that began this year continue to deliver diverse entertainment. Shows like ‘Wardrobe War 2’—a styling showdown with a ‘Gamdasaal’ twist, ‘Crazy Tasty Benches 4’ with seasonal culinary discussions, ‘Jang Do-yeon’s Bundle 3’ brimming with humor and romance, and the explosive laughter of ‘Driver: Disassemble Show’ promise to bring joy this year-end.
The final variety show of 2025 focuses on an intense culinary class war as underdog ‘Black Spoon’ chefs attempt to overturn the ranks against top South Korean celebrity chefs ‘White Spoon’. The first three episodes of ‘Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War 2’ will be available exclusively on Netflix starting at 5 PM on Tuesday, the 16th.
Image source: Netflix
