Dating reality shows have been around for ages, but the Hallyu-fied ones have only recently gained popularity worldwide. It's all thanks to the Netflix series, Single's Inferno. But way before the pandemic, there have been others with different formats and cast members that have amped up the romance for avid K-drama and K-pop fans.
Get ready for a sweet dose of kilig with these Korean dating reality shows!
READ: 12 Must-Watch Korean Dating Reality Shows
1. We Got Married (2008 - 2017)
Where you can watch it: MBC Entertainment's YouTube channel (highlights and full episodes—mostly without subtitles, though)
This is the OG and probably the most popular Korean dating show in the past. And that's for good reason: it paired up Korean celebrities and asked them to live temporarily as married couples! Big K-drama and K-pop stars were matched and experienced their daily lives together. They had various entertaining missions like sweet photoshoots, dinner dates, and spending the night together. Among the couples that became so hyped were BTOB's Sungjae and Red Velvet's Joy because of their undeniable chemistry. Other big celebs who joined the show were Nam Goong Min, Super Junior-M's Henry, and Eric Nam with MAMAMOO's Solar.
2. Single's Inferno (2021 - 2024)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
With three seasons so far, this dating-slash-survival show has hooked international viewers. Young, attractive single people are brought to a "Hell Island" with basic accommodations and supplies. They must win challenges and create connections with fellow contestants to escape to "Heaven Island" and enjoy a luxurious night.
3. Heart Signal (2017 - 2020)
Where you can watch it: YouTube
Heart Signal brought together strangers who are looking for love under one roof. Think Big Brother, but the main mission is to anonymously text a different "housemate" every night. It's up to them how to send the right signals to the person they like. As they live together for a month, a panel of celebrities watch their romantic interactions and try to guess which relationships will blossom.
4. Friends (2021)
Where you can watch it: YouTube
If you couldn't get enough of Heart Signal, you're not alone. The viewership (and list of fan favorites) grew so big, along came Friends, which brought back some of said faves from Heart Signal seasons two and three!
5. Love Catcher (2018 - 2022)
Where you can watch it: Viu and Mnet TV's YouTube channel
Similar to Heart Signal, a group of singles live in one house and are monitored 24/7 by cameras. The difference is that they're flown to a resort (in South Korea and Bali, Indonesia so far), and they participate in various challenges to find love. Another layer of thrill? Some are in it for love, while others are in it for money. The show takes cast members, hosts, and even the audience on a hunt for true love or money "catchers."
6. Between Love and Friendship (2022)
Where you can watch it: Viu
Do you know anyone IRL where two friends form a love triangle with a person they both like? That's exactly the kind of drama that this short series stirs up. Will the contestants choose their friendship over love? Or will they abandon their chingu to pursue romance?
7. Change Days (2021 - 2022)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
Unlike the previous shows on this list, this one features real-life couples who are on the verge of breaking up. Pairs get swept into a romantic getaway and get faced with a choice: will they repair their relationship or pursue a new one? Who ends up alone and who ends up with new partners? So. Much. Drama! Naturally, the show receives a lot of criticism for the concept, so this is definitely not for a conservative audience.
8. Divorced Singles/Love After Divorce (2021-present)
Where you can watch it: Netflix
There are other unique shows that will be harder to watch than the ones we previously mentioned. For instance, there's Divorced Singles, which obviously feature people who have ended their previous marriages. Eight divorced men and women live in Dolsing ("divorced singles") Village to meet their match and start pseudo co-living with each other. Will they find their second chance at love?
9. Transit Love (2021)
Where you can watch it: Viu
Participants arrived with literal and metaphorical baggage—because each has an ex who agreed to be part of the show! In Transit Love (also known as EXchange or Love Transit), they decide whether to start a new relationship or revive an old one. The catch? The showrunners ask all castmates to pretend their exes are strangers upon arrival, meaning things get uncomfortable pretty quickly when people start to flirt with each other's exes unknowingly! If you were devastated when a Single's Inferno couple you were rooting for didn't work out in the end, get ready to feel an all-new kind of pain when watching someone move on while their partner experiences unrequited love. *ouch*
10. Eden (2022)
Where you can watch it: Viki
Think of it as a mix of Transit Love/Exchange and Singles Inferno. Eden is about chasing love by being faithful to your instincts for six days. Highly focused on "skinship," the eight cast members must play games that will help them win "dates"—and their sleeping arrangements change frequently, meaning the couple dynamics are always changing. Plus, they meet each other for the first time at the beach dressed in swimwear. Talk about major first impression!
11. Pink Lie (2022)
Where you can watch it: Disney+
In Pink Lie, a group of men and women move into the Pink House. The catch is, they each bring in one lie about themselves, be it their age, occupation, or family/academic background. Emotions run high when they start unraveling the truths from the lies. With the truth revealed, will they still trust each other? And does unconditional love truly exist?
Fun fact: one of Pink Lie's hosts is Heechul, making him the second Super Junior member to host a dating show (after Kyuhyun and Single's Inferno, LOL!).
12. Love Catcher (2018-2019)
Where you can watch it: Viu
Are you a Love Catcher IRL? In this dating show, several people gather in one house to choose their identity: Love Catcher or Money Catcher. Love Catchers are looking to form genuine relationships with each other, while Money Catchers can win nearly $45,000 if they get a Love Catcher to form a couple with them—and if two Money Catchers match with each nother, they get nothing! How do you trust your feelings when it feels like everyone has an ulterior motive?
12. Love&Joy (2021)
Where you can watch it: Korea Odyssey YouTube channel
Love&Joy features close friends in platonic relationships and asks them the age-old question: are you truly just friends, or is there something more? On this show, several pairs decide if they're a better wingman/wingwoman, or if they want to give love a try after seeing each other in a different light.
Of course, this isn't an all-inclusive list. For example, Merry Queer stars LGBTQ+ couples who want to get married. Meanwhile, His Man is a gay dating reality series. Whether you're a fan of dating shows or just curious about the concept, these Korean dating reality shows will bring on romance and keep you entertained. Enjoy!
