Disney Plus invests in a range of varied mid-length TV series
Disney+ Hotstar is set to shake up the Korean entertainment landscape with the launch of five new midform variety shows, starting on August 22, 2025. The shows, which will run about 25-30 minutes per episode, will follow a daily release format reminiscent of Netflix's popular model.
These shows are designed as a bridge between longer traditional programs and short-form contents, targeting the MZ generation with quick, engaging entertainment. The lineup includes a diverse range of concepts and release schedules, ensuring there's something for everyone.
Belly Showdown, premiering Sundays starting August 24, features six personalities competing in a comedic high-calorie food challenge testing their appetites. The show, a new take on the "mukbang" trend, features Seo Jang-hoon, Shin Ki-ru, Shindong, Lee Kyu-ho, Pungja, and Na Sun-wook.
Mondays will see the premiere of YOO Got a Minute?. The first 10 weeks will feature "You Bought What?!", where Yoo Byungjae explores celebrities' unusual spending. From week 11 to 20, the show will switch to "The Quiet Interview", where artists try to keep a straight face in bizarre interviews before laughing ends the session.
On Tuesdays, Chef’s Go-To will premiere, with Korea's top chefs exploring lesser-known eateries and hidden gems seeking unforgettable meals.
Hoorah Hoorah Anchovy Camp, a physical variety show mixing laughter and exercise, featuring talents like singer DinDin, actor Choi Daniel, and others, will premiere on Fridays starting August 22 at 8 a.m. The show is directed by PD Moon Sang-don and PD Won Seung-jae, known from other popular shows.
Rounding out the lineup, an unnamed fifth show will air from Wednesday to Thursday, but specific details about it have not been disclosed.
All series will release episodes daily at 8 a.m. (Korean time) from Friday through Tuesday and continue until the end of 2025, providing flexible daily entertainment with a new format aimed at digital natives. This lineup marks Disney+ Hotstar’s strong push into Korean variety content, complementing their existing popular Korean dramas and other shows.
The programming can adapt to rapidly evolving viewer preferences, and this initiative by Disney+ marks the second major effort by a streaming platform to carve out the midform variety niche in Korea. The shows will premiere on fixed days from Friday through Tuesday, aligning with contemporary consumption habits and offering a fresh, flexible viewing experience.
The new Midform variety shows on Disney+ Hotstar, following a daily release format similar to Netflix, blend technology and entertainment by providing a fresh, flexible viewing experience tailored for digital natives. The programming adapts to evolving viewer preferences, showcasing a diverse range of concepts in formats like comedy food challenges, unusual spending explorations, chef-led culinary journeys, physical variety shows, and an unnamed fifth show.
