A CCTV footage (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – A new trend is emerging in South Korean television: reality shows that analyze footage from car dashcams and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, offering viewers a raw look at road incidents and crime scenes.
According to industry insiders, these programs are gaining popularity due to their cost-effectiveness compared to variety shows that require elaborate set designs or dating reality shows that demand large production crews.
The pioneer in this genre is JTBC’s “Lawyer Han Moon-chul’s Black Box Review,” which has been airing since 2022.
The show features attorney Han Moon-chul, who specializes in traffic accidents and compensation cases, discussing various road situations captured on dashcams with celebrity panelists.
JTBC’s “Lawyer Han Moon-chul’s Black Box Review.” (Image courtesy of JTBC)
They analyze fault ratios in different scenarios and cover a wide range of topics from drunk driving and road rage to heroic acts by citizens.
The program maintains a steady 2-3% viewership rating, considered respectable for a weekday evening cable show. Its most recent episode garnered a 3.4% rating, comparable to other popular JTBC entertainment shows like “A Clean Sweep” (3%) and “Knowing Bros” (3.6%).
Jung Duk-hyun, a pop culture critic, explains, “Dashcam and CCTV footage was primarily used in news program segments, but as they gained traction among viewers, they’ve transitioned into entertainment shows.”
He adds, “These programs are cost-effective to produce, requiring only submitted footage and expert analysis. The real-life nature of the incidents makes them more engaging for viewers and easier to generate buzz.”
Following this trend, MBC Every1 is launching “Hidden Eye” on August 5. The crime analysis commentary show will examine footage from various sources, including CCTV, police body cams, and police car dashcams, focusing on everyday crimes such as arson, assault, and elevator incidents.
Profilers Kwon Il-yong and Pyo Chang-won, along with detective Lee Dae-woo, will provide analysis and crime prevention tips.
tvN’s “A Thousand Eyes” (Image courtesy of tvN)
Not to be outdone, tvN is also entering the fray with “A Thousand Eyes” (unofficial translation) set to premiere on August 26. The show will analyze unexpected incidents in daily life through CCTV footage, featuring forensic video analyst Hwang Min-gu and attorney Son Soo-ho.
While these shows offer compelling content, critics warn of potential privacy concerns. Ha Jae-geun, another pop culture critic, notes, “While dashcam and CCTV footage provide high-value content without direct filming, broadcasters must be cautious about invading privacy and avoid excessively sensational content.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
