Korean Dictionary
How to say "Variety show" in Korean
“Variety show” in Korean is 예능 (pronounced "Yeneung").
예능
Yeneung
Usage & Context
Korean entertainment programs featuring games, challenges, comedy, and celebrity interactions. 예능 (arts and entertainment) covers a huge genre of Korean TV. Famous shows include Running Man (런닝맨), 나혼자산다 (I Live Alone), and 무한도전 (Infinite Challenge). K-pop idols frequently appear on variety shows to show their personalities.
Example Sentence
한국 예능 프로그램은 정말 재미있어요.
Korean variety shows are really fun.
How to use 예능 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Variety show” is 예능, romanized as Yeneung.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 예능.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'yeh-nung' — 'ye' rhymes with 'yeah,' and 'neung' ends with the 'ng' sound in 'sung.' Keep it to two crisp syllables.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
예능 프로그램
ye-neung peu-ro-geu-raem
Full form used in articles, press releases, and formal descriptions
Casual (반말)
예능
ye-neung
Everyday shorthand used in casual conversation and on social media
More Example Sentences
chatting with a friend about TV habits
요즘 무슨 예능 봐요?
What variety shows have you been watching lately?
praising a K-pop star's TV personality
그 아이돌은 예능감이 진짜 좋아요.
That idol has a really good sense for variety shows.
describing your weekend routine
주말마다 예능 몰아봐요.
I binge-watch variety shows every weekend.
Cultural Context
Korean 예능 is a genre unto itself — part game show, part reality TV, part unscripted comedy, usually hosted by a pack of rotating MCs and celebrity guests. Shows like 런닝맨, 무한도전, and 놀면 뭐하니? shaped an entire TV language of on-screen captions, slow-motion replays, and dramatic sound effects that has since spread globally. Fans use 예능감 ('variety-show sense') as serious praise: an idol with 예능감 is witty, self-deprecating, and quick on their feet — a career-making trait beyond singing or acting.
Editorial note
We review entries like 예능 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
요즘 예능 뭐 봐요?
What variety show are you watching these days?
이 예능 진짜 웃겨요.
This variety show is really funny.
예능 프로에 처음 나왔어요.
They appeared on a variety show for the first time.
Related Expressions
드라마
deu-ra-ma
drama / TV series
리얼리티
ri-eol-li-ti
reality (show)
예능감
ye-neung-gam
sense / talent for variety shows
MC
em-si
show host
More Culture Words
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