Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mysterious game-like Korean reality show a fun journey.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
New World
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In NEW WORLD, six South Korean celebrities climb aboard a boat and head to an island. They don't know what will happen on the island, but when they arrive, rules of their stay are outlined. As the rules are revealed, they learn that they all leave on the sixth day, that the cellphones they are given only work on the island, and that they can win currency that can be converted to real money when they return to the mainland. Will the competition cause people to betray one another? Or will they work as a team to help one another?
Is It Any Good?
A reality show with some video game vibes, New World combines magical elements with AI to create a unique and mysterious experience. Nobody really knows what's going on until different clues about the rules of the island are revealed. Money is earned when participants make discoveries or gamble for winnings.
In fact, New World could be a good choice for tweens who want the intrigue of a show like Squid Game, but without the violence. The subtitles move pretty quickly, but most tweens will be able to follow. Parents might get a kick out of the quirky, unpredictable format. Overall, it's fun family viewing that keeps things pretty light.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the emphasis on getting money and prizes in New World. Why do you think some contestants are willing to betray people to get more money? Can you think of any other shows that exhibit this behavior?
At one point in the show, the group members receive cell phones that they get to use to text each other, send money to each other, and take videos. There are restrictions set regarding what they can and cannot do. What are the rules in your home about cell phone use?
One member of the group asks specifically that her house have a bar with bottles of alcohol. What do you think when you see this? Does it influence the way you think about drinking alcohol?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 20, 2021
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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