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Netflix show with K-pop star Rain on a motorbike, The Hungry and the Hairy, a bet that Korean reality-TV series can replicate success of K-dramas like Squid Game and Hellbound

  • The Hungry and the Hairy follows K-pop star Rain and TV personality Noh Hong-chul as they travel across Korea on motorbikes sampling the food and scenery
  • Netflix commissioned it after the success of Paik’s Spirit. Reality TV appeals to broadcasters because it is cheaper to produce than dramas, an insider says

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The Hungry and the Hairy is Netflix’s latest attempt to make a Korean entertainment show that is as popular as hit Korean dramas like Squid Game and Hellbound.

By Kim Jae-heun

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Netflix has been successful in making hit original television drama series in South Korea like Kingdom, Squid Game and most recently Hellbound. However, it has been quiet in the sector of reality shows, despite its continuous efforts to make one since 2018.
There has only been one original series in the reality show category, Paik’s Spirit, featuring restaurateur Paik Jong-won, which made it into Netflix’s top 10 list for viewers in Korea. It reached the highest place of fifth in October.

The show’s success led Netflix to scout superstar reality show producer Kim Tae-ho, who released all 10 episodes of his new television show The Hungry and the Hairy on December 11.

From left, singer Rain, music director Lee Sang-soon and television superstar Ro Hong-chul.
From left, singer Rain, music director Lee Sang-soon and television superstar Ro Hong-chul.

Whether this new show will be another hit or not is not yet known, as it has only been a few days since its release, but Netflix is expecting a lot from it.

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Not only did Kim take part in this project, but it was also joined by other well-known producers such as Jang Woo-sung and Lee Ju-won. K-pop star Rain and television personality Noh Hong-chul star as they travel across Korea on their motorbikes, indulging in local food and scenery.
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