Cover Understanding the popularity and hype around Korean dating shows such as ‘Single’s Inferno’, ‘Heart Signal’, and more (Photo: Netflix)
Understanding the popularity and hype around Korean dating shows such as ‘Single’s Inferno’, ‘Heart Signal’, and more (Photo: Netflix)
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Understanding the popularity and hype around Korean reality dating shows such as ‘Single’s Inferno’, ‘Heart Signal’, and more
Korean reality dating shows aren’t a new concept to their local audience but the proliferation of streaming platforms has put them in the limelight, such as Single’s Inferno, which has just returned for its fourth season.
Unlike their Western counterparts, such as the controversial Love Island, these programmes reflect aspects of Korean dating culture such as the concept of “썸” (some), which is the period of mutual interest before officially dating, the respect for privacy and personal boundaries, and the emphasis on striking a balance between traditional Korean values and modern dating practices.
Read more: Inside the Home of Netflix's ‘Single’s Inferno’ Breakout Star Song Ji-a in Seoul
These shows often feature a panel of Korean celebrities as judges or commentators such as Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, actress Lee Da-hee, and comedian Hong Jin-kyung for Single’s Inferno; Knowing Bros’ cast member Lee Sang-min, former Sistar member Soyou, and Super Junior’s Shindong for Heart Signal; and Girl’s Day’s Yura, Got7’s BamBam, and Suspicious Partner actress Kim Ye-won for Transit Love.
But they’re not limited to just one format. Since the late 2010s, the genre has continued to evolve, introducing new ways and means to present the programmes while maintaining core elements that appeal to both domestic and international audiences.
Above A clip from Netflix’s ‘Single’s Inferno’ Season 4
Single’s Inferno (솔로지옥)
Netflix’s Korean reality dating show, Single’s Inferno, first aired in 2021 and is back for its fourth season. It takes place on a remote island where attractive singles must find love without “skinship” (physical contact) while enduring basic living conditions. Successful couples earn trips to “Paradise”–a luxury hotel where they can enjoy comfortable amenities and heart-to-heart conversations. The premise draws parallels to survival shows and luxury dating programmes, creating an engaging contrast between hardship and luxury.
The hotel, an actual physical location called Paradise City Hotel in Incheon, was where celebrity couple Bigbang's Taeyang and model-actress Min Hyo-rin held their lavish wedding reception.
See also: ‘Single’s Inferno’: All we know about Paradise City, the stylish hotel featured in the show
Heart Signal (하트시그널)
In 2017, Channel A’s Heart Signal made waves for its uncommon take on reality dating shows. This show places eight young professionals–from CEOs to lawyers, to entrepreneurs and students–living together for one month in a shared house while a panel of celebrities analyses their interactions. Every night, each participant sends an anonymous text aka “signals” to their love interests, creating a guessing game for both viewers and panellists. However, they’re not allowed to directly confess their love. The show’s emphasis on non-verbal cues and subtle gestures reflects Korean dating culture’s appreciation for indirect communication.
On an episode of Bigbang member Daesung’s YouTube talk show Zip Daesung, G-Dragon confessed that he started watching Korean reality dating shows after watching Heart Signal. “I saw a dating show for the first time when I was in the military. All of us would talk about it after watching. You can’t help but get immersed. That’s why I keep watching them,” he revealed.
Above The participants of Korean reality dating show ‘Heart Signal’ Season 3 (Photo: Channel A)
Above The participants of Korean reality dating show ‘Heart Signal’ Season 4 (Photo: Channel A)
The participants of Korean reality dating show ‘Heart Signal’ Season 3 (Photo: Channel A)
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Transit Love (환승연애)
Produced by Park Sang-hyuk, who directed the popular South Korean talk show Strong Heart, Transit Love, also known as Exchange, explores what happens when pairs of ex-couples reunite to live under one roof and potentially find new relationships among fellow participants. The show featured single men and women, who live together for weeks at a time, go on dates, and get to know each other without knowing who each other’s ex is.
Transit Love delves into complex emotions surrounding past relationships while opening doors to new connections, offering viewers a realistic portrayal of modern dating challenges. The first season aired in 2021, followed by the second season in 2022, and the third season in 2023. The show resulted in several couples getting back together, such as Song Da-hye and Seo Dong-jin.
Don’t miss: The strategies behind the Hallyu and South Korea’s efforts to win global hearts
Somebody (썸바디)
Somebody is a reality show that doesn’t focus on survival or competition. Instead, it observes the romance between an “assembly” of 10 professional dancers from different genres such as ballet, poppin’, b-boy, contemporary dance, Korean traditional dance, and street dance. In the show, participants stay in a place called “Some Stay” and each participant is required to give a dance performance in front of members of the opposite sex with a song chosen by those interested in the performer.
Viewers will follow the journey of the male and female dancers as they manage misunderstandings and expectations, and dance to a couple’s choreography and film music videos, all while guessing the dancers’ hearts through the rich emotions–love, friendship, joy, sadness, jealousy–expressed in their choreography.
Above ‘Transit Love’ ex-couple Song Da-Hye and Seo Dong-Jin, who were in a 13-year relationship before parting ways, got back together after Season 3 (Photo: Instagram/@dxseo_)
Above The participants of Korean reality dating show ‘Somebody’ Season 2 (Photo: Mnet)
‘Transit Love’ ex-couple Song Da-Hye and Seo Dong-Jin, who were in a 13-year relationship before parting ways, got back together after Season 3 (Photo: Instagram/@dxseo_)
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Love Catcher (러브캐처)
Are they in it for love? Or are they just in it for the money? TVING’s Love Catcher is a Korean dating reality show that’s also a survival series where 10 strangers live together for eight days under the same roof. The catch and the element of mystery is that these 10 people are a mix of sincere daters aka “love catchers” seeking love and “money catchers” who are only interested in the cash prize of KRW50 million. Another interesting element is the filming locations–Season 1 was filmed in Bali, Season 2 was filmed on Jeju Island, and Season 3 was filmed in Seoul.
To win, “money catchers” have to try to identify a “love catcher” to partner up with. If they end up choosing another “money catcher”, they’re eliminated from the game. The “love catchers”, on the other hand, must navigate the house while trying to identify and avoid “money catchers”, all while trying to find love amidst the deception and psychological games. Essentially, it’s a mystery dating show with romantic developments, financial stakes, and the harsh reality that not everyone is there for the same reasons.
Above The trailer for TVING’s ‘Love Catcher’ Season 3, ‘Love Catcher in Seoul’
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