Kim Tae Ri trades the big screen for a rural classroom — and what happens next is one of the most genuine and heartwarming Korean variety TV shows of the year.
Actors, singers, mountain-village students and one very nervous first-time teacher — this is the most touching Korean variety show of 2026.
If you’re looking for good Korean variety shows that go beyond games and celebrity banter, Curtain Up, Class! (방과후 연극반, also known as After School Theater Club) is something genuinely special. Streaming exclusively on Viu every Monday with a 10-episode run ending 27 April 2026, this warm, unscripted reality series has already earned a strong rating from viewers — and it deserves every bit of it.
What Curtain Up, Class! Is About
A small rural school in Mungyeong is on the verge of closing down. Into this quiet, fading place arrives an unlikely group of celebrity teachers with one mission: start an after-school theatre class and stage a play with the students at the school festival.
Leading the charge is actress Kim Tae Ri — one of Korea’s most acclaimed dramatic performers — stepping in front of the classroom for the very first time. Joining her is actor Choi Hyun Wook as her assistant teacher, singer-entertainer Kangnam (from Episode 3), and music producer CODE KUNST (from Episode 4), whose creative energy opens up exciting new possibilities for the students’ performance.
The catch? The students have never learned acting. The teachers have never taught. And the school festival deadline is getting closer with every episode.
Why This Show Stands Out Among the Best Korean Variety Shows of 2026
- Genuinely Unscripted, Genuinely Moving
This isn’t a polished competition format or a comedy sketch variety show. Curtain Up, Class! captures real, messy, beautiful moments:
- Kim Tae Ri nervously navigating her first class, admitting that even an experienced actress can feel completely lost in a new role.
- Choi Hyun Wook being called out for his clumsy assistant-teacher habits, leading to a full argument with Tae Ri that they eventually work through together.
- Students slowly opening up — some cautious, some chaotic — discovering something new about themselves through acting for the first time.
Among the most popular Korean variety series this year, few feel this honest and this warm at the same time.
- An Unexpected Cast That Works Perfectly
The mix of Kim Tae Ri’s earnest dedication, Choi Hyun Wook’s loveable clumsiness, Kangnam’s energy and CODE KUNST’s creative instincts creates a teacher ensemble that’s as entertaining as it is unlikely. Watching them figure out how to connect with young students — while also navigating their own dynamics with each other — is endlessly engaging.
When CODE KUNST visits and plays music for the group, you watch Kim Tae Ri’s eyes light up as she begins to imagine what the play could truly become. It’s one of the quietly magical moments that makes this show a standout among good Korean series to watch right now.
- A Story About Growth on Both Sides
Yes, the students are learning acting. But equally, the teachers are learning how to lead, communicate, listen and adapt. Every episode peels back another layer — a student who seemed disengaged suddenly surprises everyone, or a teacher realises their method isn’t working and tries something completely different.
It’s the kind of content that reminds you why Korean variety shows at their best are so much more than entertainment.
Episode Highlights So Far
Episode 1
– Kim Tae Ri arrives in Mungyeong, full of nerves, and meets her students for the first time. Her carefully planned first class doesn’t go as expected — but it’s the beginning of something real.
Episode 2
– Tensions rise between Tae Ri and Hyun Wook as their different working styles clash during an outdoor class. Their argument and eventual reconciliation sets the tone for a genuinely honest working relationship.
Episode 3
– Kangnam arrives in Mungyeong to join as the newest teacher, but instead of a straightforward introduction, he decides to make an entrance — hiding from Tae Ri and Hyun Wook while they’re in class and waiting to surprise them. His playful, slightly chaotic energy immediately signals what kind of teacher he’s going to be, raising the question: what role will this unpredictable new addition actually play in the classroom?
Episode 4
– A day off brings unexpected moments: Kangnam heads to Seoul for a friend’s wedding while Hyun Wook and Tae Ri go on a drive together. CODE KUNST arrives and transforms the mood with music.
Episode 5
– Guest chef Ahn Sung Jae cooks for the students at the Mushroom House, adding warmth and humour as he races against time to finish the meal.
Cast of Curtain Up, Class!
Kim Tae Ri
– Lead teacher, first-time educator, full-time bundle of nerves and dedication.
Choi Hyun Wook
– Assistant teacher whose cheerful clumsiness creates both chaos and comedy.
Kangnam
– Joins from Episode 3, bringing high energy and a big personality to the classroom.
Code Kunst
– Music producer from Episode 4 whose creative presence sparks new ideas for the students’ theatrical performance.
Ahn Sung Jae
– Special guest in Episode 5, cooking for the students and adding a delightful side story.
Watch Curtain Up, Class! on Viu
New episodes of Curtain Up, Class! drop every Monday on Viu, with the finale scheduled for 27 April 2026. It streams with subtitles in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia and Thai — making it one of the most accessible K-variety shows on Viu for regional audiences.
If you’re searching for the best Korean variety shows in 2026 that leave you feeling genuinely moved rather than just entertained, this is the one. Stream it now on Viu before the curtain comes down on this beautiful little school story.
New on Mobile: Vertical Micro-Dramas on Viu
Discover a growing library of vertical dramas and bite-sized short series now streaming exclusively on the Viu mobile app—perfect for quick, on‑the‑go viewing between classes, commutes, or late‑night scrolling.
