K-WAVE: a trio of Korean formats

A social reality, a docu-talent and a comedy action game
By Axel Fiacco

Battle in the Box - created by Nmedia, represented by Something Special and aired in South Korea on MBN last year - is probably one of the funniest and most original Korean, and not just Korean, formats of the past season. Now the UK version of this comedy game premiered on Wednesday 16th July, hosted by popular comedian Jimmy Carr and produced by Interstellar for UKTV and channel U & Dave.

Two pairs of celebrity teams are invited to stay in a specially designed container, the box, for 24 hours (64 hours in the original Korean version!). The box is divided by a movable wall and is completely empty except for a toothbrush. Over the course of one day and one night, they must earn it all by winning a series of physical and mental challenges set by Jimmy - winning a game means more space and luxury for the lucky duo, but there is a catch, as more space for one team means less for the losers, as the box's sliding wall forces them into an ever smaller space. A very good mix of game, fun and originality. The Korean wave of formats is stronger than ever...