Streaming platform Disney+ makes a gamble on mid-length diversity-filled variety shows.
Disney+ is set to launch five new midform variety shows starting August 22, 2025, marking a strategic move into the Korean variety content market. This follows Netflix's rollout of five daily shows earlier this year, as both streaming giants aim to carve out the midform variety niche in Korea.
The shows will be released daily from Friday to Tuesday, delivering quick, fun content that aligns with contemporary viewing habits. Each episode is approximately 25-30 minutes in length and will be available at 8 a.m. KST daily.
Here's a rundown of the confirmed shows:
- Anchovy Physical Camp – A physical variety show featuring lesser-active Korean celebrities engaging in humorous exercise challenges, premiering every Friday.
- YOO Got A Minute? – Hosted by comedian Yoo Byung-jae, this show is divided into two parts over 20 weeks. The first half, You Bought What?!, explores celebrities’ strange spending habits, while the second half, The Quiet Interview, features guests keeping a straight face during bizarre interviews; laughing ends the interview. YOO Got A Minute? will air every Monday.
- Chef’s Go-To – Famous Korean chefs explore hidden alleys and lesser-known eateries to uncover unforgettable meals, premiering every Tuesday.
The other two shows launching in this slate have unique concepts and release days (Sat and Sun or Wed and Thu), but their names and specific details are not yet available.
"60 Minutes to Love" follows actor Ji Ye-eun on a series of blind dates and premieres on August 23. Another show, "Belly Showdown," features TV personalities Seo Jang-hoon, Shin Ki-ru, Shindong, Lee Kyu-ho, Pungja, and Na Sun-wook, but its release schedule is not specified. "Anchovy Physical Camp" features TV personalities DinDin, Jonathan, and Choi Daniel.
Disney+ is mirroring a format popularized by Netflix with this new lineup, offering a fresh, flexible viewing experience. The early morning release schedule allows viewers to engage with the content at their convenience throughout the day, as the shows will premiere on fixed days from Friday through Tuesday. The lineup is expected to run through the end of the year, with each show planned to have about 20 episodes.
The five new midform variety shows on Disney+ align with contemporary viewing habits, releasing daily from Friday to Tuesday. The shows, such as "Anchovy Physical Camp" and "YOO Got A Minute?", combine technology with entertainment, delivering quick, fun content for viewers.
