Now On My Way to Meet You explained

Genre:Variety show
Creator:Lee Jin-min
Presenter:Nam Hee-suk
Kim Jong-min
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Producer:Kong Hyosoon[1]
Runtime:90 minutes
Num Seasons:7
Num Episodes:660(18,2024)
Camera:Multiple
Company:Dong A Network
Last Aired:present
Channel:Channel A

Now On My Way to Meet You is a South Korean variety show which has been running on Channel A since December 4, 2011. It is part talk show, part talent show, and part beauty pageant.[2]

The show is broadcast on Sunday nights at 11:00 PM over cable television, and is shot in Goyang, a satellite city northwest of Seoul.

Format

When the show first aired, it was intended to be reuniting defectors with their estranged relatives. Episodes were shot at people's homes or in restaurants. The show never facilitated such reunions, and quickly changed format to a variety show shot in a "glitzy game-show-type set".

The guests are generally young female North Korean defectors (dubbed by the producers as "defector beauties") who discuss their experiences in both North and South Korea. They discuss topics including the North Korean lifestyle, products, and food. The guests are questioned by four male panelists, and perform comedy sketches, songs, and dance.[3] [4]

As of 2019, about 400 North Korean defectors have appeared on the show. The most famous defector participant has been activist Yeonmi Park.[5]

Reception and coverage

The show has been credited by the North Korean defector guests with changing the perception that South Koreans have of North Korean defectors and taking the stigma out of being a North Korean defector,[6] but also criticized by defectors for exaggerating or falsifying negative aspects of life in the north to gain viewers.[7]

In April 2017, Unreported World produced a documentary about the show, hosted by Seyi Rhodes.

See also

References

  1. News: Where North and South Korea Meet: On TV. E. Tammy. Kim. May 8, 2019. New York Times.
  2. Secret State of North Korea . . 32 . 6 . PBS . January 14, 2014 . 32:46.
  3. News: en. North Korean defectors parade themselves on South Korean talent show. https://web.archive.org/web/20120621215646/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/southkorea/9346183/North-Korean-defectors-parade-themselves-on-South-Korean-talent-show.html. dead. 21 June 2012. 21 June 2012.
  4. News: en. North Korean defectors shine on South Korean TV show. Calum McLeod. 15 June 2013.
  5. News: October 22, 2014 . 탈북자 박연미, '이만갑'서 7년만에 언니 찾은 사연 공개 . Korean . .
  6. News: From tyranny to reality TV: Meet the celebrity defector women of North Korea. Patrick. Winn. October 9, 2017.
  7. Kang. Tae-jun. South Korean Broadcasters Change the Way They Cover North Korea. November 2, 2018. The Diplomat. 2021-05-28.

Further reading