“SELF-PRODUCED” VARIETY IN K-POP
“Self-Produced” variety content (자체 제작 콘텐츠 / 자컨) or “original content” refers to variety-style content produced by the K-Pop artists’ management company, rather than an external organization like a TV broadcasting station or a YouTube series.
What does “Self-Produced” Variety mean?
“Self-Produced” variety content (자체 제작 콘텐츠 / 자컨) or “original content” refers to variety-style content produced by the K-Pop artists’ management company, rather than an external organization like a TV broadcasting station or a YouTube series.
Compared to regular variety content produced by TV broadcasting stations or YouTubers (think “Knowing Bros,” “Weekly Idol,” or “No Prepare”), “self-produced” variety content only exists FOR the artists.
Thus, “self-produced” variety content is maximized to show the most attractive side of the members and cater to the fandom, rather than trying hard to please the general public or advertisers.
Most, if not almost all, self-produced variety content belongs the artists’ management company, and are uploaded on the artists’ official YouTube channel or a specific individual channel for the show itself.
Some self-produced variety are co-produced with broadcasting stations and also air on TV and streaming platforms.
Also, most self-produced variety content exclusively feature the K-Pop group, without MC’s or other variety personalities. So, if you want to spend some time binge-watching your favorite K-Pop group, self-produced variety is your go-to👍
What’s NOT “self-variety” content
There are a plethora of variety-style K-Pop content featuring your favorite artist. However, NOT ALL K-Pop artist-related content is categorized under “self-produced variety.”
For now, ipduck guide doesn’t feature the following…
- While self-produced by the company, these are considered “promotional” content for official album promotions and will not be featured as variety content.
- A K-Pop artist may be a guest or even a regular member of these externally produced variety series, but these will not be categorized as “self-produced variety.”
SHINee’s apperance on Amazing Saturday, a tvN variety show; while Key is a regular member of Amazing Saturday, members Minho and Taemin have appeared as guests.
Different types of SELF-PRODUCED content
There are no set rules or template that a self-produced variety content must follow. The members may be featured doing fulfilling any of their “bucket lists” (baking, traveling, arcade night, etc…) or doing activities fans want to see.
Sometimes, they adopt ideas from fan comments as well! So, you might have a shot if you’re lucky…😉
Here are some well-known types of self-produced variety content!
① Self-Produced Variety
“Variety” is an overarching term that covers almost all types of self-produced content by K-Pop artists (ex. game show, talk show, sports competitions).
For example, the “Debate Night” series in SEVENTEEN’s self-produced variety show, “GOING SEVENTEEN,” went viral because of the hilarious debate topics and even more hilarious answers from SEVENTEEN members. One of the topics was “Living as a Pigeon vs. Living with a Pigeon.”😂
It is also fun to watch K-Pop artists experience new cultures or places. In “LENIVERSE,” a self-produced variety show by LE SSERAFIM, Kim Chae-won from LE SSERAFIM tries gosam tea (a very bitter tea but great for your health) while trying out the famous Korean culture of Jjimjilbang.
② Vlog
A vlog includes self-filmed footage by the artists themselves. These vlogs could include a day off, traveling, what’s in my bag, etc that work better on digital platforms such as YouTube.
Mainly, these show everyday life and authentic charm of the artist.
For example, in “TXT-LOG,” a vlog-style self-produced content by TXT, Yeonjun shares his “off-duty” moments in the US. His vlogs are filled with behind-the-scenes moments from his tour and a day off filled with his hobbies and interests.
Sometimes, a vlog scene becomes viral—for example, when Danielle of NewJeans did her famous “happy jump” scene in their vlog series, “About Jeans.” Fans love to see their artists just being themselves!😊
③ Co-Produced Variety Show
A variety show co-produced with a TV network (but still exclusively featuring the artists) may have a higher budget and production value. These shows often take the form of a travel show or are filmed on special locations.
These types of variety show often air on TV or are available on streaming platforms, rather than being directly uploaded on official YouTube channels. (Of course, the case is different for every show.)
For example, MONSTA X’s variety show, “MONSTA X-RAY,” is a variety show dedicated to MONSTA X produced by and broadcasted on the JTBC2 channel.
Mnet is also known for producing many professionally produced variety shows for K-Pop artists, just like ITZY’s “ITZY COZY HOUSE.”
④ Others (LORE/CONCEPTUAL VIDEOS)
In the realm of self-produced variety, literally, anything is possible! Sometimes, it could be an introduction to an artist’s own K-Pop lore, documentary series, drama mini-series, sitcoms, or more… (you name it🙂)
For instance, aespa has a cinematic series in which they band together with “Naevis” to fight against the villain, “Black Mamba.”
The line is a little blurry here, but sometimes these conceptual videos may also take the form of a variety series - check out the “sitcom” style variety video aespa released for “Better Things.”
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