One of the worst Korean variety-reality shows in recent memory.

Barefoot Friends is a 31 episode Korean variety-reality show that aired in 2013.

SPOILERS AHEAD! (I guess). There's really not much to spoil about a variety-reality show with no "winner" or end goal however.

FULL DISCLOSURE: This is the only review I've ever written for a show for which I did not see every single episode of. Lord knows I tried (because I generally love Korean variety-reality shows), but this one was just too painful to keep following. I did watch about 60-70% of it though, and that's more than enough for me to confidently say that it's not worth watching.

Here's your premise: Hmmmm! I actually don't know what the premise of this show is because it never seems to have one. All I can tell you is that it's a variety-reality type show, where some semi-famous Korean stars get together and do things that are supposed to provide for some entertainment. Unfortunately, this particular show is ill conceived and poorly written, and it's quite regularly dull as well. There's also apparently no purpose or direction to it at all. Most successful Korean shows of this ilk have some central motif to work off of right away, or will find one as they go along, but this one does not; it's a hodgepodge mess in which the first couple episodes have the cast gallivanting around exotic locales, then it's a camping talkfest for a while, then there's a half dozen episodes where the cast is practicing for a diving competition, then it appears to be a cooking show, etc...It tries so hard to find the right mechanism for its existence and success, but it just never clicks or locks in on any one thing that works effectively.

Aside from the aimless theme and writing of the show, there's also the gigantic problem of a badly mismatched cast. I'm familiar with all the cast members and I don't dislike any of them, but they just don't seem to mesh well enough as a whole. The "MC" of the show is often overwhelmed (in most part, because he's inexplicably given no one with proper senior variety show capabilities to play off of), there's too many similar generic good looking dudes with minimally varying variety show personalities, U-ee (the only female cast member) is not quite ready to be a variety show leading lady by herself, etc. I generally just felt bad for all of the cast members involved; they get along well enough and they try their best, but they are given little help from the writing and direction departments, and they aren't a properly balanced enough collective that can simply get the job done by themselves.

Considering the factors I mentioned above, it's easy to see why the ratings for this show continually plummeted before it was eventually put out of its misery. In retrospect, the death knell for this show actually occurred rather quickly, and it happens the moment Lee Hyo-ri shows up as guest star during several early episodes. Lee Hyo-ri is a sexy singer/dancer type who also happens to be an experienced variety show savant, and she just dominates the proceedings with her strong personality the instant she arrives. The episodes she appears in are arguably the best this show ever has to offer, but, they also call attention to several of the qualities that this show is lacking; Hyo-ri is confident and at ease with the variety show world, and she mixes in right away (which is something the cast and crew of this show simply can't ever seem to accomplish). Hyo-ri does exactly what's asked of her in her typical flair, but you can sense something is drastically wrong with a show when it apparently deems it necessary to bring in a ringer for a while in an attempt to prop itself up. And, it's pretty sad having to watch the cast (and crew) seemingly need her support and encouragement just to try to get things headed in the right direction.

Summary: I was rooting hard for this show to do well & grow & eventually succeed, and I really wanted to like it. But, it's ultimately just a miserable failure. A Korean variety show with no clear direction, sub-par writing, and a poorly assembled cast, is a recipe for disaster.

Bottom Line: Cannot recommend this show at all. 4 out of 10 stars.

Korean cinema is known for its mastery of genre, fluidly blending thriller, drama, and dark comedy with social critique. The post-1990s renaissance brought bold storytelling and masterful craft to the world stage, addressing class, identity, and modern anxieties with cinematic flair.

The reality TV genre, short for "reality television," features real-life situations, events, and interactions, often involving ordinary people rather than actors performing scripted roles. Reality TV shows aim to capture unscripted and authentic moments, providing viewers with a glimpse into various aspects of human life, behavior, and experiences.

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Barefoot Friends

Episodes31

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