I feel bummed. Lately, I’ve been watching less variety shows and it makes me sad. I’m less enthused with the content and it feels like I need to watch them out of sheer obligation. Its a pity to realize that my excitement for these shows are not like how it used to be. While I do still watch a ton, I noticed that I am getting bored more frequently. And there are instances when I skip or don’t even finish an episode.
When I started getting hooked on dramas, venturing to variety was inevitable. I binged a ton and consumed everything that came my way. I was never picky so I learned early on what I liked. I dropped those that didn’t interest me and kept watching those that made me LOL. Shows try very hard to be #1 on their slots. Its either be on top or get cancelled. With SKs obsession with ratings – everything’s based on the numbers/rank. There’s a list for everything – brand, name, etc. Its a cutthroat industry.
A shows success is dependent on different things. Its popularity is always a case to case basis. I mostly prefer shows that are intriguing and/or funny. That’s why I prefer Na PDs shows because he always thinks of something new.
For his recurring shows, he always thinks of other ways to make it fresh. Cast also plays a huge factor. Idols tend to pull huge numbers (which isn’t shocking) but I prefer good chemistry over names. But there are rare times I’m lucky enough to watch a show with a cast of people I admire. If I find the show and/or cast entertaining, then you gain me as a loyal viewer. There’s nothing much to consider because I am a simpleton when it comes to variety.
So what am I getting at? I want to talk about slumps and losing interest. More focus on the big 3 – 1N2D, IC & RM. I followed these shows weekly through the years but they are slowly making me lose interest. In 1 Night, 2 Days case, I began skipping episodes after Flower Man Winter Camp. Infinite Challenge became harder to watch with the constant member change and lack of chemistry. It broke my heart when Hyeong Don decided to call it quits because he was sooo good. Damn it! Running Man has been a roller coaster but almost everyone agrees that they lost their sparkle a long time ago.
Yes, I’m in a deep slump. I’ve been trying various ways to get out of it but its a slow process. I’ve dialed down on dramas since last year because of burnout too. I can feel a much needed purge anytime now since I consumed too much in such a short span of time. And my bingeing nature aggravates it even more. This totally sucks!
Overcoming the Slump.
For anyone experiencing the same burnout as I am, here are two ways I suggest might help:
- Take a break. Give yourself a breather. It doesn’t matter if you take a few episodes off from a particular show or Korean entertainment as a whole. Allow yourself time to watch or do other things. Especially if you binge like me. Read a book. Watch Coco. Dive into a new hobby. Anything that can take your time off watching. Give yourself a chance to miss a show.
- Watching something outside of Korean entertainment. Since I don’t follow US shows anymore, I’m lost. Nothing piqued my interest. Until I discovered Gaki no Tsukai. Its Japanese and I highly recommend it. If you like the Japanese slapstick style of comedy – over the top and crazy – then I suggest to check this show.
- Watch a different show. If you’re bored and not burnt out, watch something new. There’s always new variety shows premiering. If a particular show doesn’t float your boat, then try a new one. Check an episode or 2 and decided from there. I suggest to be open minded. I skipped on Moms Diary – My Ugly Duckling for the longest time. I didn’t like the idea of moms worrying about their sons not getting married. But I checked it out this week and man its actually fun to watch! 3 episodes in and I like it.
After I took my break, I realized a few things.
Be Considerate.
A show will not always be on top of their game. Especially the long running ones. There are episodes that’ll suck and there are times when they’re blessed by the variety gods. Its selfish to think that they’ll always be #1 that week. Be thankful if they are but if not, still appreciate the hardwork that’s given by everyone.
Infinite Challenge is a good example. I love their longer projects but they also have the shorter ones. While I do love majority of the episodes, the show will produce mediocre episodes. Its inevitable. Tae Ho PD has proven countless episodes how good he is but there are times that an episode is simply not funny. That doesn’t mean a show is not good since everyone has their off days.
Acceptance.
If the show isn’t entertaining you anymore, giving it numerous times to bounce back, then maybe its time to let it go. Your taste might have changed or a show might have ran its course. Regardless of the reason, it won’t lessen your merits as a fan if you bow down on a show. Embrace the fact and let it go happily.
Ive been a long time fan of 1N2D – watched all 3 seasons. While Season 1 will always be THAT season for me, I’ve realized its time for me to say goodbye to this show (for now). Over the years, there’s too much change to my liking. Everyone did their darnest to salvage the show. Losing their stellar cast and PD, their rating went downhill. Their patience paid off with Season 3 winning Best Variety Show in 2016. But with the leaving of Kim Joo Hyuk and Ho Jin PD – I lost interest in the show. The addition of Dong Gu, as much as I love him as an actor, didn’t help the show. He’s too much of a wallflower.
1N2D is in-the-moment, banter style variety – they excel in rebelling against their PD. Most of the time this is where the material is but Dong Gu doesn’t fit in IMO. Don’t get me wrong, Dong Gu is not the reason for me dropping the show – but the synergy of show as a whole. It felt like a relationship that reached the end of the line. I’m just too much of a fan of the original cast with Na PD on the otherside.
And for my last realization and most important~
Avoid comparisons.
Comparison is unavoidable but grow up. Everyone has different tastes but endless comparisons leads to expectations. Expectations that a show/cast might not deliver. Then expectations to disappointment.
With the case of RM, a lot of viewers had gripe with Somin and Sechan because of the 7012 fandom. I get it. RM will always be 7012 but when Gary left and the cancellation fiasco happened, the show needed a change. The addition wasn’t an idea I welcomed at first – Somin in particular because I was all for a single female cast. It felt like an unwelcome intrusion. As for Sechan, I don’t prefer his comedic style (like his brother). But I love the RM family as a whole so I gave the change a chance. I’m still getting used to them but they are warming up to me. Both Somin and Sechan added something new to the show and I found myself getting excited again. But having Myuk PD was the biggest factor that RM is getting its groove again.
This is only temporary. Eventually my love for variety will comeback. While I regret that I am in a slump, its only January. There too much goodness that I haven’t discovered yet. I don’t want to rush things so I am taking my sweet time in enjoying what little media I allow. Restricted as it is, I appreciate these shows more. I do miss on a lot but scanning Instagram and lurking in Reddit and Discord channels helps with my FOMO.
Are you experiencing a slump? Or liking a show less recently? How did you overcome it?
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