KakaoTV / Choi SeoEun's Instagram
These days Korean dating shows have seen a rise in popularity. Many different Korean reality shows deal with romance and romantic connections. Shows like "Heart Signal", "Change Days", "I'm Solo", "Transit Love", "Single's Inferno", "Eden", "His Man", "Romance Before Debut", and many more are all the rage!
Dating shows have been around for a long time, even in the Korean entertainment market. However, in recent years (especially since 2022) they are experiencing newfound popularity. Fans of all things K and the Hallyu wave (the Korean wave) have fallen for the charm of Korean dating programs and the non-celebrities that they feature. These programs are vastly different from their Western counterparts and Western standards, winning over fans with a new unique charm.
Some of the key differences between Korean and Western dating shows include less 'skinship' (physical contact)/intimacy, different standards/personal requirements when choosing a partner from contestants, and more. To learn more about what makes these shows stand out, read this article.
In today's article, we'll take a look at Korean dating shows' rise in popularity recently and the potential reasons why.
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Potential Societal Factors That Contribute to Korean Dating Shows' Rise in Popularity
In most cases, people watch dating programs for the fun of commenting on other people's love lives and pursuits from a distance or even imagining what they would do if they were in a participant's situation.
Some people believe that the increase in dating show interest stems from a combination of boredom during the pandemic
