The year 2023 saw a wide variety of TV and internet variety shows in China, offering amazing entertainment to audiences.
The farming-themed reality show Become a Farmer shines a spotlight on agriculture; hit musical programs The Big Band 3 and Infinity and Beyond 2023 brought us a new wave of musical feats, from pop to indie; the travel reality show Divas Hit The Road - Silk Road takes the audiences on a journey to places far and wide, forging connections with people from around the world; veteran performers find new stages on Riding the Wind 2023 and Call Me By Fire Season 3; See You Again Season 3 sheds light on marital problems faced by people today; and young audiences resonate with interns in The Exciting Offer.
Here are 10 popular variety shows of the year. It's never too late to start enjoying them.
1. Become a Farmer
The farming-themed reality show Become a Farmer took Chinese social media by storm in the first half of the year, shining a spotlight on agriculture – a crucial part of Chinese culture. The word "farming", however, may be unfamiliar to many young urban Chinese citizens.
In an effort to connect these individuals with the agricultural industry, the 50-episode variety show tackles the topic by inviting 10 young men from various fields to experience life on the farmland. It offers insights into farming practices and modern agricultural production.
The show, which debuted in early February, was widely acclaimed online and rated 9 out of 10 on Douban, a major Chinese review website.
2. The Big Band 3
Produced and broadcasted by iQIYI, The Big Band 3 showcases various musical genres, bringing together 27 bands from across China.
Each week, bands competed in different groups, and via votes cast by the audience and six celebrity judges, five earned the title of the "Hot 5" by the end of the season: Second Hand Rose, Nova Heart, Wayina, Anda Union and Berlin Psycho Nurses.
In the 2023 edition, folk Chinese musicians took center stage, with notable performances by Wayina from South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Anda Union, a nine-piece ensemble from Hohhot, capital of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.
3. Divas Hit The Road - Silk Road
The fifth season of the reality show, Divas Hit the Road - Silk Road, featuring popular celebrities traveling to various destinations, has been airing on Hunan Satellite TV and the online video-sharing platform Mango TV since October 2023.
This season saw Chinese actresses Qin Hailu, Qin Lan, Xin Zhilei, Dilraba and Zhao Zhaoyi, as well as actors Wang Anyu and Hu Xianxu, embark on a journey to Saudi Arabia, Croatia and Iceland. They explored the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultures of these countries and learned about the collaborative projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative. They have delved into the local customs and traditions of the places they visited.
The show has generated wide discussion on Chinese social media platforms about the cultures of these countries. Chinese netizens have shown great enthusiasm for Saudi Arabian cuisine and its scenic beauty. Following the broadcast of the show, there was a 772 percent increase in searches for "Saudi" and "Saudi Arabia" on the online travel services provider Qunar.
4. Infinity and Beyond 2023
With an astounding viewership, the music cultural program Infinity and Beyond 2023 emerged as a resounding success in the first half of this year.
The 12-episode show was broadcast on Hunan Television and streamed on Mango TV from March to June, generating massive online attention with 8.9 billion views of topics related to the show on China's twitter-like Weibo.
Featuring a star-studded cast including pop diva Na Ying and singer Jeff Chang, the show ignites cross-Strait connection and re-rendered classic and popular songs dating back to the 1970s.
5. Riding the Wind 2023
Singers from various backgrounds at home and abroad tune into one another during hit reality show Riding the Wind 2023.
Riding the Wind 2023 is the fourth season of a reality show that aims to showcase the charms of 30-to-50-something women. The series' 2020 debut caused a sensation, capturing widespread attention by challenging the entrenched focus on youthful beauty within the Chinese entertainment industry.
Embarking upon its latest season this year, the program seeks to expand cross-cultural collaboration and mutual support among women, regardless of their different languages, ages or personality traits. To achieve this, the show has invited female celebrities from diverse cultural backgrounds to participate in duets or group performances throughout the rounds of competition.
Among them are Chinese TV anchor Xie Na, 42; model-turned-actress Qu Ying, 52; Hong Kong actress Ada Choi Siu-fun, 50; and Taiwan singer Ella Chen Chia-hwa, 42, as well as international participants such as South Korean actress Choo Ja-hyun, 44; Russian chanteuse Kateryna Kelly, 33; and American singer Annie Lowdermilk, 33.
6. Call Me By Fire, Season 3
The third season of Call Me By Fire was broadcast on the video-sharing platform Mango TV from August to November.
Featuring a lineup of 32 male entertainers spanning various backgrounds, this season showcased performances in both group and solo formats, with participants ranging in age from 27 to 55.
In the first episode, 55-year-old singer Cai Guoqing stole the limelight with his rendition of megastar Jay Chou's hit song Mojito, leaving the audience in awe. Cai holds aspirations of uncovering fresh facets of his life through his participation in the reality show.
Celebrities like Hong Kong actor Kevin Cheng, Ambrose Hui from Taiwan and Malaysian actor Nicholas Teo took a nostalgic return by performing theme songs from popular TV dramas in which they once starred, awakening the audience's memories of times gone by.
Throughout the season, the participants showcased their versatility by exploring various forms of artistic expression, including singing, dancing and acting.
7. Go For Happiness, Season 2
Go For Happiness, a reality show that took the online world by storm in 2022, has continued its success with the much-anticipated Season 2, broadcasted on Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV from December 2022 to March 2023.
The show brought together six singers: Chen Chusheng, Lu Hu, Su Xing, Wang Yuexin, Wang Zhengliang and Zhang Yuan. They embarked on a journey to places like Northeast China's Heilongjiang and South China's Hainan, immersing themselves in local life and culture and seeking inspiration for songwriting.
These singers met and became friends during the 2007 singing competition Super Boy on Hunan TV. They rose to stardom overnight. Yet they experienced the highs and lows of life over the past 15 years. Despite facing challenges, such as taking on side jobs to make ends meet, they joke about themselves as "once jobless singers who are re-employed" in this reality TV show.
The show infused humor into every aspect, from the guests to the content, resonating well with netizens. Unlike some scripted reality TV shows, Go For Happiness showcased spontaneous interactions among the participants, showcasing how their deep familiarity with one another allows them to create jokes unique to them. Chen Chusheng once said that Go For Happiness is "not a reality show, it's our real lives".
8. See You Again, Season 3
See You Again, Season 3, a 13-episode reality show broadcasted on Mango TV from September to November, delves into the problems facing three couples in the "cooling-off" period before divorce.
The series unfolds as the couples embark on an 18-day journey together, with the cameras capturing their interactions and unveiling the mounting challenges they face in their marriages.
The spotlight is particularly on a post-90s couple, shedding light on the marital issues that resonate with the younger generation.
Celebrities including singer-songwriter Hu Yanbin, online comedy sensation Papi Jiang and psychologist Li Weisong, offer insights from an observational studio. They engage in discussions on how to address the intricate problems in modern marriages.
The show's narrative struck a chord with many online viewers, prompting discussions on topics ranging from intimacy to the art of communication and the complexities of human nature. Many said that the program encourages self-reflection on personal lives and relationships.
9. Great Escape Season 5
The highly anticipated Season 5 of the Mango TV-produced reality show Great Escape has taken viewers on an immersive journey through a series of captivating escape rooms.
Airing from May to September, the 13-episode show enlisted a team of well-known celebrities, such as actress Yang Mi, pop star Huang Minghao and singer-songwriter Zhang Wei, who faced challenges within intricately designed escape rooms.
They took part in challenges with stories supported by surroundings, detailed set design, props and special effects. They had to search for hidden clues, solve puzzles and decipher codes in order to unlock the rooms in which they are trapped. It requires the players to have great perception, logical thinking skills and the ability to collaborate.
This season features six escape rooms set in both ancient and modern times, exploring themes such as family affection, environmental protection and adventure.
The show not only provides entertainment but also showcases the participants' problem-solving abilities and teamwork, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
10. The Exciting Offer, Season 5
In its fifth season, The Exciting Offer, a popular reality show produced by Tencent Video, spotlights the journey of nine interns with diverse educational backgrounds and personalities vying for internships at a law firm in Shenzhen, South China. It provides viewers with insights into the legal profession and workplace dynamics.
Through the personal experiences of these interns, the program opens a window for audiences to engage in discussions on legal matters, workplace challenges and social issues.
Season 5 introduced performance reviews, elevating the program's intensity by incorporating Key Performance Indicators. The assessment content closely follows trending topics, such as AI creation.
The program offers a glimpse into the struggles of interns dealing with workplace pressures, allowing viewers to witness the evolving attitudes of the younger generation toward work, career and life.
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