Now On My Way to Meet You

Now On My Way to Meet You
GenreVariety show
Created byLee Jin-min
Presented byNam Hee-suk
Kim Jong-min
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes670
Production
ProducerKong Hyosoon[1]
Camera setupMultiple
Running time90 minutes[1]
Production companyDong A Network
Original release
NetworkChannel A
ReleaseDecember 4, 2011 (2011-12-04) –
present

Now On My Way to Meet You (Korean이제 만나러 갑니다; RRIje mannareo gamnida) is a South Korean variety show which has been running on Channel A since December 4, 2011. It is part talk show, part talent show, and part beauty pageant.[2]

The show is broadcast on Sunday nights at 11:00 PM over cable television, and is shot in Goyang, a satellite city northwest of Seoul.[citation needed]

Format

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When the show first aired, it was intended to be reuniting defectors with their estranged relatives. Episodes were shot at people's homes or in restaurants. The show never facilitated such reunions, and quickly changed format to a variety show shot in a "glitzy game-show-type set".[1]

The guests are generally young female North Korean defectors (dubbed by the producers as "defector beauties") who discuss their experiences in both North and South Korea. They discuss topics including the North Korean lifestyle, products, and food.[1] The guests are questioned by four male panelists, and perform comedy sketches, songs, and dance.[3][4]

As of 2019, about 400 North Korean defectors have appeared on the show.[1] The most famous defector participant has been activist Yeonmi Park.[5]

Reception and coverage

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The show has been credited by the North Korean defector guests with changing the perception that South Koreans have of North Korean defectors and taking the stigma out of being a North Korean defector,[6] but also criticized by defectors for exaggerating or falsifying negative aspects of life in the north to gain viewers.[7]

In April 2017, Unreported World produced a documentary about the show, hosted by Seyi Rhodes.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Kim, E. Tammy (8 May 2019). "Where North and South Korea Meet: On TV". New York Times.
  2. ^ "Secret State of North Korea". Frontline. Season 32. Episode 6. 14 January 2014. 32:46 minutes in. PBS.
  3. ^ "North Korean defectors parade themselves on South Korean talent show". 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012.
  4. ^ Calum McLeod (15 June 2013). "North Korean defectors shine on South Korean TV show".
  5. ^ "탈북자 박연미, '이만갑'서 7년만에 언니 찾은 사연 공개" (in Korean). Korea Daily. 22 October 2014.
  6. ^ Winn, Patrick (9 October 2017). "From tyranny to reality TV: Meet the celebrity defector women of North Korea".
  7. ^ Kang, Tae-jun (2 November 2018). "South Korean Broadcasters Change the Way They Cover North Korea". The Diplomat. Retrieved 28 May 2021.

Further reading

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