Variety Guide : Immortal Song 2

I love variety shows but it's really hard to blog about because I am not really passionate, it don't matter for me to miss an episode. I choose to write Immortal Song 2 because today is Saturday!

Immortal Song 2 is a music competition that features singers from variety of genres battle each other to win the trophy. Each week, has a new legend and singers will choose the legend's song to reintrepret. At times, there are special week featuring old shows, holiday festival and many more.

The singers on show are part of fixed cast, recurring guest or newbies. The main MC is Shin Dong Yup, while Moon Hee Jun and Jung Jae Hyung are the backstage MCs doing commentaries with the other singers. There are 500 audience acts as the judges.

The order of who goes first is chosen by Shin Dong Yup, the legend or invited guest will comment on the performance. The audience will vote via pushing the electronic button. Winner will be chosen with the higher number of votes.

Here's a secret. I mainly watch for the commentary. I usually skipped the performance to watch the reaction. If the reaction is really good, then I will rewind to watch the performance. My favorite cast are Sweet Sorrow, Ulala Session, Hong Kyung Min, Ailee, B1A4, SuJu KRY, Infinite, Cha Ji Yeon, Jay Park, Hyorin and Changmin. Actually a whole lot more...but it will be a long post.

The program introduce more singers and especially musical actors, initially meant to showcase idols singing capabilities but idols are too busy to commit to the show. It's a good show for the whole family.

Variety guide : One Night Two Days (1N2D)

Welcome to the first ever "Variety Guide" post! I have always been relunctant to wrote variety show post because it's not easy. Heck, I don't know if I could write more, but I'll try my best. For my first post, I choose to write 1N2D because it's my favorite variety show!

The show is a part of the KBS Happy Sunday line up together with Qualification of Men. The current cast member is Kim Seung Woo, Uhm Tae Woong, Lee Su Geun, Cha Tae Hyun, Sung Si Kyung, Kim Jong Min and Joo Won. The main MC is Lee Su Geun a former comedian on KBS Gag Concert. There are four actors, (Kim Seung Woo, Uhm Tae Woong, Cha Tae Hyun and Joo Won) and two singers (Sung Si Kyung and Kim Jong Min of Koyote). 

The 7 members travels all over Korea in the course of two days and one night, hence the name, playing various games called bokbulbok (rough trans: luck or no luck) to decide on Lunch, Dinner or sleeping arrangement. The menu is usually the specialty of the area they travelled, if they lose they only got miserable menu. Sleeping arrangement is either inside or outside. Although they did outside before, with sleeping in tents vs sleeping without tent. The worst is during winter, I've seen them sleeping outside while it was snowing! The next day, usually it's a game between breakfast or no breakfast, but the lately it's who goes home early or later. At times, when the PD (Program Director) feels evil, they played bokbulbok for punishment, doing random odd jobs like collecting clams, fishing or picking apples for an amount of time or based on quantity.

The important thing about variety show is to established a character, which makes the whole show more interesting, as reaction is variety show gold.

Kim Seung Woo is the oldest member, he is married to Kim Nam Joo, an actress who made an appearance once. He is also the main MC of Win Win (which Lee Su Geun co-host) but he is also known as the actor in Iris. He's terrible in games, but is very determine to win. He often said that he is a picky eater but he eats a lot. With his age, he often plays the role of the leader or eldest brother.

The man of the hour, Uhm Tae Woong recently announce that he is getting married with a baby on the way. This  will change his image totally! Anyway, he's good with quiz but terrible in games especially with numbers. He is hardworking, anything that requires effort and strength, he's the guy. Which comes in handy to endure punishment. While he is goofy in this show, he is a totally charismatic actor, with success of his film (Introduction to Architecture 101) and drama (The Equator Man) He is a dog lover and his best friend is Lee Seon Kyun.

The one who provides the most laughter, Lee Su Geun is the comedian turned MC. He is the original member from the beginning along with Kim Jong Min. He is bad with quiz but has one of the highest chance of winning game, he is quick on his feets and known to cheat. He is married with two kids, his wife is known to prepare great dosirak (lunch box) and he is good with kids. 

Who hasn't watched Cha Tae Hyun act? This guy is considered A-List actor! Just like the character he played, he is a funny guy. He complains a lot on the show but he's made for TV. He is known as the unlucky guy.. Which means he always loses. Also on team Married, he married his high school sweetheart and his children is adorable!

"Butter 왕자" (Prince) as he is called, due to his buttery greasy voice, Sung Si Kyung has the image of a good student. He is fluent in English which he learned by himself. He is a tall big guy, which means his appetite is enormous. He gets super cranky if he doesn't get food. He may be from Korea University, he's extremely cautious of quiz. Other than that, he's plays well in games. Which makes the members happy because he's scary when hungry and he doesn't fit most sleeping bag. Lol

The returning member, Kim Jong Min endured a lot on this show. He was one of the original member, he was enlisted to military (all healthy Korean men are complusory to join) in the mid of the show. As soon he was discharge, he was dragged literally into the show. They say military changed a man, and it shows. He didn't live up to the expectation and was heavily criticized.  He gain a character, so it's all good now. He is not good with words.. Any game requires talking, he's a sure loser. He is a former gymnastic and background dancer, so he's has better chance in athletics. 

GAKSITALL!!! Joo Won is a superb actor, the one to watch! All his drama has been a huge hit and he is handsome! I've watch him act before but I didn't really know what to expect from him. He is surprisingly cute! Unlike Lee Seung Gi, he play the magnae (youngest) role well, he is afraid of bugs and eats like a child. He is the icon of bromance of the show. He is very close with TaeWoong since they're from the same agency but Sung Si Kyung is lovey dovey with him too. Those two are so cute together.

For more infos, Wiki is a good start. If you would like to read recaps, the lovely writers of Dramabeans.com has them on weekly! Some old episodes can be found on boosaysharingiscaring.com