Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" trailer / Captured from YouTube

This year's Netflix non-English hit series "Culinary Class Wars" kicked off with a bold challenge to traditional hierarchies, introducing the concept of equality to the kitchen. From local diners to Michelin three-star fine dining establishments, 100 chefs fiercely competed for the top spot.

Judges Paik Jong-won, a renowned restaurateur, and Chef Ahn Sung-jae offered sharp critiques and high praise, with moments like a celebrated chef losing to an unknown cook drawing significant attention.

The fierce competition in survival reality shows isn't confined to cooking. Netflix's "Physical: 100" and Mnet's "Stage Fighter" focused on physical endurance, while Netflix's "The Influencer" and "Single's Inferno" challenged contestants to demonstrate social influence and romantic skills.

Explicit elements such as profanity and smoking have also surfaced, signaling a shift in audience preferences for raw, unfiltered content in reality TV.

Wave's survival show "Game of Blood 3," left, and YouTube Shorts / Captured from YouTube

Shock value and better ratings

The surge in survival reality shows can be attributed to the evolving landscape of platforms like over-the-top (OTT) streaming services. Unlike traditional broadcast TV, which imposes regulations on profanity, smoking and explicit content, OTT platforms benefit from greater creative freedom.

Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik said, "With the oversaturation of OTT reality shows, viewers are no longer impressed by mild stimulation. As sensational elements stand out, their addictive nature grows stronger."

Wave's survival show "Game of Blood 3," which debuted on Nov. 15, features contestants battling extreme conditions such as heatwaves and torrential rain. Contestants resort to swearing and physical confrontations to survive.

The program has become Wave's top content for attracting new paid subscribers this year. PD Hyeon Jeong-wan of "Game of Blood 3" said, "Scenes with profanity or smoking, which wouldn't air on traditional TV, are possible thanks to platform changes. It's up to viewers to decide if they are willing to accept these elements."

Netflix's "Physical: 100" Season 1 / Captured from YouTube

Fair competition resonates with viewers

The societal emphasis on fairness has also boosted the popularity of survival shows. Programs like Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" offer a level playing field where age, status or wealth are irrelevant, and skill determines the winner.

Lee Seul-a, a 27-year-old office worker, said, "The premise of competing without hierarchies drew me in. Watching contestants win purely based on ability was thrilling."

ENA's "Paik's Les Miserables," which began airing on Nov. 30, follows contestants striving to succeed in the culinary industry.

Participants include recovering alcoholics, single fathers, former juvenile offenders and debt-ridden individuals. In the show's introduction, Paik Jong-won says, "You didn't fail in life; you just missed your chance."

The show highlights fair opportunities regardless of background. Kim Heon-sik analyzed, "In a society familiar with hierarchies, younger generations' focus on fairness is influencing media, reflecting this cultural shift."

The trend shows no signs of slowing down. JTBC's "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" returned for its second season on Dec. 15 after a five-year hiatus.

The team behind Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" is developing a new survival show centered on beauty. ENA's influencer survival show "Undercover" and Netflix's dating survival show "Single's Inferno" are set to release their new seasons on Jan. 12 and Jan. 14, respectively.

ENA's culinary survival show "Paik's Les Miserables " / Captured from YouTube

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.