Brand names are referenced and seen, but only in the context of helping the teammates figure out dates while solving mysteries in the game.
Violence & Scariness
none
Some of the cast members express fears that the mysterious event they'll be investigating might be a murder, but it isn't. Some find the basement "spooky."
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While not intended as an educational program, the series does reference historical events in Korea which may be new information to American viewers.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Apartment404 is a Korean "variety" show (essentially meaning a game show with some scripted elements) featuring Korean entertainers. They play escape room-style games, which reference regional events from the area's past, which may be somewhat educational for non-Korean viewers, though that isn't the show's explicit intention. Unless you're a connoisseur of Korean pop culture, some of the specific jokes and references may be lost on you, but you needn't be a BLACKPINK fan to be entertained by the cast (which includes the group's Jennie) and their adventures. There's some mild potty humor.
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What's the Story?
APARTMENT404 is a Korean game show featuring celebrities who solve mysteries inspired by real-life events, set in the actual locations where these events took place. The cast members are split into two teams, each assigned an apartment to hang out in where they have to uncover clues and play games to figure out what happened there -- it's very reminiscent of the "escape room" attractions so popular in the United States. The episodes are fairly long, clocking in at nearly two hours each.
You don't have to be a K-drama aficionado or a fan of Korean pop bands to enjoy this series -- the cast is charming and fun to watch whether you know their celebrity backgrounds or not. Apartment404 may not have the slick production values American audiences are used to, but what it lacks in glitz it makes up for in laughs. The cast members, including BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim and popular Korean comedian/TV host Yoo Jae-Suk, have an appealing chemistry and unpretentious goofiness that is enjoyable to watch. It certainly wouldn't hurt if they tightened the pace and made the episodes shorter, but this isn't the end of the world. This is a fun, family-friendly peek into how another culture does game shows.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about differences they notice between American game shows and those from overseas. Which shows are your faves?
Apartment404 relies on the players' ability to keep a secret. How do you think you might fare if you were part of one of these challenges?
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