15 Shows to Watch If You Loved ‘Kian’s Bizarre B&B’

The Netflix reality series ‘Kian’s Bizarre B&B’ brings an unconventional twist to the hospitality genre by pairing webtoon artist Kian84 with celebrity staff on a remote Korean island. Viewers drawn to its blend of rustic lodging, unexpected comedy, and authentic cast chemistry can explore a rich landscape of South Korean unscripted programming.

From celebrity-operated accommodations and pop-up restaurants to spontaneous travel adventures and peaceful countryside retreats, these programs offer similar dynamics of teamwork and hospitality. The following Korean reality and variety shows provide the same balance of charm, humor, and lifestyle escapism.

‘Hyori’s Bed and Breakfast’ (2017–2018)

Musician couple Lee Hyori and Lee Sang-soon open their private residence on Jeju Island to welcome everyday travelers as staying guests. The hosts provide home-cooked meals, travel recommendations, and a tranquil space for visitors seeking a relaxing escape from their busy routines. Prominent celebrities including IU, Yoona, and Park Bo-gum appear across the two seasons as dedicated part-time staff members. The series captures the organic interactions between celebrity hosts and ordinary visitors against the scenic backdrop of South Korea’s premier island .

‘Youn Stay’ (2021)

Academy Award-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung leads a celebrity team operating a traditional hanok guesthouse in South Jeolla Province. The cast includes Lee Seo-jin, Jung Yu-mi, Park Seo-joon, and Choi Woo-shik managing various hospitality and culinary responsibilities. The guesthouse specifically accommodates foreign nationals residing in South Korea who were unable to travel during the pandemic. Guests experience authentic Korean royal court cuisine and traditional architecture while the hosts navigate the daily pressures of running a lodging facility.

‘Korean Hostel in Spain’ (2019)

Cha Seung-won, Yoo Hae-jin, and Bae Jung-nam establish a welcoming hostel in the Spanish village of Villafranca del Bierzo. The lodging caters to weary travelers and pilgrims journeying along the historic Camino de Santiago walking trail. Cha prepares hearty Korean dinners and breakfasts for international visitors while Yoo manages the front desk and crafts wooden amenities. The unscripted program showcases the daily operation of a guesthouse combined with cultural exchanges among passing global travelers.

‘Jinny’s Kitchen’ (2023–2024)

Actor Lee Seo-jin takes the helm as restaurant owner to introduce popular Korean street food to international destinations. Alongside regular cast members Jung Yu-mi, Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik, BTS’s V, and Go Min-si, the team runs bustling overseas dining establishments. Filming locations include the scenic lakeside town of Bacalar in Mexico and the capital city of Reykjavik in Iceland. The series details the practical logistics of food preparation, customer service, and kitchen teamwork under intense operational rushes.

‘Unexpected Business’ (2021–2023)

Actors Cha Tae-hyun and Jo In-sung temporarily take over small-town general stores and supermarkets across rural South Korea. The two city-dwelling hosts handle retail inventory, calculate sales, and run in-store dining counters serving signature lunch and dinner items. A rotating roster of celebrity friends joins the main cast as part-time workers to assist with inventory management and customer orders. The show highlights the hosts’ evolving retail competencies and their genuine interactions with long-time local village residents.

‘Adventure by Accident’ (2022–2024)

Webtoon artist Kian84 headlines this unscripted travel program focused on spontaneous and unconventional global exploration. Joined by travel creator Pani Bottle, actor Lee Si-eon, and television personality Dex, the team travels across South America, India, and Madagascar. The hosts eschew planned tourist itineraries in favor of authentic local living conditions, public transit, and impromptu cultural encounters. The production documents Kian84’s idiosyncratic approach to daily survival, outdoor exploration, and cross-cultural communication.

‘Coffee Friends’ (2019)

Actors Yoo Yeon-seok and Son Ho-jun operate a cozy brunch cafe located inside a citrus orchard on Jeju Island. Inspired by the duo’s real-world charity project, the cafe allows customers to donate an amount of their choosing for all meals and drinks served. The hosts enlist fellow performers including Choi Ji-woo, Yang Se-jong, and Jo Jae-yoon to manage the kitchen, dining room, and citrus harvesting. All proceeds generated from the cafe’s operation are donated to charitable causes at the conclusion of the broadcast run.

‘House on Wheels’ (2020–2022)

Veteran actors Sung Dong-il and Kim Hee-won travel across South Korea while towing a customized tiny home on wheels. The hosts are accompanied by rotating younger co-hosts including Yeo Jin-goo, Im Si-wan, and Rowoon across four broadcast seasons. The crew sets up their mobile camp in serene, picturesque locations ranging from forested national parks to tranquil seaside spots. Celebrity guests join the cast for overnight stays to share regional delicacies, outdoor activities, and relaxed fireside conversations.

‘Three Meals a Day’ (2014–2024)

Created by producer Na Young-seok, this reality franchise drops celebrity casts into isolated rural villages and coastal fishing ports. The participants must harvest raw seasonal ingredients from local fields or the ocean to prepare three meals from scratch every day. The series features core recurring figures such as Cha Seung-won, Yoo Hae-jin, Lee Seo-jin, and Eric Mun across multiple themed seasons. The program focuses on self-sufficient cooking techniques, rustic domestic labor, and peaceful countryside living.

‘BTS In the SOOP’ (2020–2021)

This lifestyle reality program follows members of the global music group BTS as they spend time together in a secluded forest retreat. The participants create their own daily schedules, spending their hours painting, fishing, reading, exercising, and preparing shared meals. With minimal interference from the production staff, the series captures the natural dynamic and domestic routines of the bandmates. The format emphasizes peaceful rest and personal hobbies in a quiet natural environment away from hectic performance schedules.

‘Youn’s Kitchen’ (2017–2018)

Veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung establishes and operates a small Korean restaurant in international coastal vacation destinations. Supported by cast members Lee Seo-jin, Jung Yu-mi, Shin Goo, and Park Seo-joon, the crew serves Korean dishes such as bulgogi and bibimbap. The production filmed its first season on the Indonesian island of Gili Trawangan and its second season in Garachico, Spain. The show highlights the operational workflow of running a culinary business alongside foreign customers discovering Korean gastronomy.

‘Fresh Off the Sea’ (2024)

Actresses Yum Jung-ah, Ahn Eun-jin, and Park Joon-myun team up with television personality Dex for a seaside living experience. The four cast members travel to various coastal villages throughout South Korea to engage in physically demanding regional harvests. After harvesting local marine produce such as seaweed, oysters, and anchovies, the cast cooks communal dinners using the fresh ingredients. The unscripted program showcases rural maritime industries alongside the collaborative kitchen dynamics of the ensemble cast.

‘Bros on Foot’ (2023)

Actors Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Choi Min-ho, and Yeo Jin-goo embark on a road trip across the diverse terrain of New Zealand. The quartet undertakes challenging physical missions, including endurance walking, cycling, and bungy jumping, to earn vacation tickets for youth. Throughout their travels, the actors navigate self-driven road trips, manage camping gear, and prepare their own campfire meals. The variety program highlights the offscreen friendships and candid comedic chemistry between established screen actors.

‘The Backpacker Chef’ (2022–2024)

Celebrity restaurateur Baek Jong-won leads a mobile culinary squad featuring Ahn Bo-hyun, DinDin, and Oh Dae-hwan. The team travels to remote institutions, schools, and military bases carrying only the culinary gear and ingredients packed into their backpacks. Upon arriving, the chefs receive customized catering orders that require them to prepare mass meals for dozens or hundreds of diners on a tight deadline. The series illustrates real-time culinary problem-solving, rapid menu adaptations, and large-scale kitchen operations.

‘Our Little Summer Vacatio’ (2020)

Actors Jung Yu-mi and Choi Woo-shik spend a restful summer retreat residing in a peaceful seaside village in Gangwon Province. The hosts follow a daily wellness routine that includes exercising, cooking nutritious home-cooked meals, and writing reflective journals. Close celebrity acquaintances, such as Park Seo-joon and Ahn So-hee, visit the guesthouse to unwind and participate in everyday domestic activities. The series highlights slow-paced living, mindfulness, and the restorative benefits of taking time away from busy urban environments.

Share your thoughts on which of these Korean variety shows you plan to watch next in the comments.