“I Am a Natural Person” Reruns: Fair Rewards or Lazy Programming?
In South Korea, the documentary series I Am a Natural Person has quietly become a surprising television staple. Since its debut in 2008, the show has followed individuals who left city life behind to live off the grid in the mountains—hunting, farming, and reconnecting with nature. Think of it as a gentler, more introspective version of Naked and Afraid, minus the competition and drama.
Recently, TV personality Lee Seung-yoon, who has hosted the series for over a decade, revealed that he earned enough from rerun royalties (money paid when old episodes re-air) to buy his parents a house. The revelation sparked heated conversations about fair compensation in TV, programming ethics, and what reruns are really worth—to both creators and audiences.
Paying for Reruns: A Fair Reward and Motivation
Supporters argue that rerun royalties are a fair form of compensation. Shows like I Am a Natural Person require unique actors willing to spend time deep in mountainous terrain under tough conditions. These reruns allow contributors—not just leading actors but sometimes guests as well—to share in the ongoing success of the show.
Lee's story is heartwarming: a performer who, through years of dedication to a niche program, was able to provide for his family in a meaningful way. It highlights how consistent revenue can offer economic stability in an often-precarious entertainment industry.
Besides, the show conveys a powerful social message. It offers city dwellers a glimpse into slower, more self-sufficient living. For urban families swamped with stress and fast-paced routines, watching an episode can almost feel like a mini-vacation. Reruns then become a tool for mental health and reflection rather than just filler content.
Too Many Reruns: Creative Comfort Zone?
But not everyone is on board. Critics argue that constant reruns dampen the show's freshness. When audiences can predict every turn of a story—even down to which bird is going to chirp next—it becomes harder to stay engaged. The risk is "viewer fatigue," where repetition dulls the original charm.
There are also questions about fairness. Are all contributors getting equal cuts of the rerun pie? If only front-facing stars like Lee benefit while producers, crew, or even minor guests don’t share in the royalties, we start venturing into ethically blurry territory.
Internally, persistent income gaps can breed resentment among team members. If one host collects substantial earnings while the show relies on a broader team, that imbalance can erode team morale. Meanwhile, viewers might feel cheated by lack of new content, with some in online forums voicing that every episode feels increasingly like a remix of the last.
Finding a Smart Balance
I Am a Natural Person is more than just a TV show; it's a cultural reflection on simplicity and harmony with nature. The show has found a niche value in reconnecting people with forgotten ways of living. Rerun royalties reflect a system that rewards people for their unique contributions to that experience.
But overusing reruns risks stagnation. If reruns replace new episodes, the show could shift from being a source of inspiration to mere background noise. The magic gets lost when innovation gives way to convenience.
What’s needed is transparency. Royalty systems should be fair, clear, and inclusive. Additionally, networks ought to balance reruns with new, fresh episodes. Reruns might keep the engine running, but it's fresh content that keeps viewers truly engaged. After all, stories about natural living deserve to evolve just like nature itself.
