The dating reality TV market in Korea has been assessed as saturated for many years, with viewers often complaining that there are too many programs revolving around ordinary people looking for love.
However, despite predictions that this genre has reached its limit, some new dating shows still do what many people in the industry consider not easy: being produced for many seasons.
Instead of following the traditional dating motif, these programs attract audiences with increasingly unique ideas, from single people who have never loved anyone looking for their first love, divorced women dating men who have never had girlfriends, to matchmaking programs with the participation of parents and family members.
This trend shows that, although audiences may be gradually tired of traditional dating programs, they are still willing to welcome new formats that bring fresh stories and emotional empathy.
One of the dating shows that has attracted attention recently is "Romance school: First & again" (Dolsing N Mosol) by MBC Every1 and E Channel, which just closed its first season in early June.
Even before broadcasting, the program has been of interest thanks to its unique idea of pairing divorced women with men who have never had any romantic relationships.
The program ended with 3 successful couples, receiving many positive reviews thanks to the sincerity of the participants and their story of maturity.
After the first season created a buzz, the production crew announced the recruitment of new participants, officially confirming that the program will have a second season.
Another program returning with season 2 on SBS is "Match to marry: With parents". The program follows 10 single men and women living together in Andong, North Gyeongsang province (Korea), in the process of finding a serious relationship with the goal of marriage.
The difference of the program compared to most other dating shows lies in the family-centered model. If in the first season, mothers accompanied their children in the matchmaking process, then in the new season, all family members will participate together.
This idea has helped the program create an impression in a market where many shows are competing with a group of audiences.
Meanwhile, Netflix also continues to bet on the appeal of niche-themed dating programs.
The program "Better late than single" will return with its 2nd season on July 7, gathering single people who have never loved anyone in their lives to experience dating for the first time.
Previously, the first season of this dating show touched the audience's emotions thanks to the clumsy and authentic moments of the participants when they first entered a romantic relationship.
Now, expectations are increasingly high about whether the new contestant group can recreate that emotional connection or not.
The success of these programs shows that Korean dating shows are gradually moving beyond the simple motif of love and romance.
Recent programs are increasingly focusing on very specific experiences and living circumstances, such as divorced people, people who have never loved anyone, or families participating in matchmaking. This helps viewers more easily empathize with personal and close stories.
In the context of increasing competition between television stations and online platforms, observers are currently monitoring whether these new programs can turn their initial appeal into long-term reality TV brands.
