The entertainment programs respond to trends quickly. When people search for the keywords ‘entertainment program,’ they can see information about the programs that are due to be shown, ones that are on air, and ones that were cancelled. Sometimes, people find some programs that ended after searching. There have been many programs that ended within the last three months. In this age of excessive entertainment, entertainment programs with citizen cast members are gaining popularity and becoming a trend. The entertainment programs with citizen cast members aren’t just entertaining programs. They can inform citizens about social topics such as single-person households, eco-friendly things and well-being. Entertainment program producers attempted to change entertainment shows to real variety shows. After that attempt, the producers attempted to change the trend from using celebrities into using citizens.    
  The CBT is going to find out what types of entertainment trends there are and why they are so popular. The first type of entertainment program with citizen cast members is a show where broadcasters visit ordinary people and talk to them in person. Hankki Jubshyo is an example. Hankki Jubshyo is a program where broadcasters visit a town, meet the residents and have dinner with them in their houses. Viewers can look into their day lives indirectly. Many diverse stories have been told, such as a man who lives alone and an old couple. Due to its popularity, Hankki Jubshyo lasted for 2 years even though there has been much criticis that the program bothers the citizens.
  The second type of entertainment program with citizen cast members is a show where celebrities do general and ordinary work. Entertainment programs such as Yoon Sikdang and Kang Sikdang of ‘tvN’ are good examples. In those programs, celebrities run a restaurant. They might become cooks, waiters or cashers. Also, there is a similar program, Hyoleene Minbak, of JTBC. Celebrity Lee Hyo-lee became a hostess and invited some people to her house on Jeju Island. Celebrities working in general workplaces makes the viewers feel empathetic.
  The entertainment programs with citizen cast members are rapidly emerging. Viewers grew tired of celebrities’ flamboyance and showy entertainment programs. These days, viewers prefer entertainment programs where they can see realistic and authentic stories. Also, viewers feel a thirst for communication. They can obtain emotional solace through programs. Watching the main MCs of Hankki Jubshyo, Kang Ho-dong and Lee Kyung-gyu, and the guests who hang out with their neighbors, viewers can feel the affection of the neighbors. Bringing the viewers into the programs, viewers are no longer just observers in the program.



  Kim Kyo-seok, a critic of pop culture, said, “These days, viewers appreciate the value of empathy not laughter. Many people think that they are socially isolated. The desire to communicate through TV entertainment programs that match viewers’ interests has grown. Socially-related entertainment, which gives viewers a chance to join the TV program and increase the viewers’ level of empathy by adding the form of documentaries, attracted the viewers’ attention and became popular. These days, people feel lonely, so they want to fill in the void by watching those programs. If the programs fail to elicit social sympathy and can’t communicate with the viewers, they will be less likely to survive.”
  The entertainment programs with citizen cast members are a new type of entertainment program where viewers can participate in the programs. Because of the people’s interest in communicating with others, these entertainment programs became popular. If people feel loneliness consistently, the interest in these programs will continue.

By Park Jeong-min
jm38@cbnu.ac.kr