This review may contain spoilers
What started great died a slow painful death.
I really wanted to love this season, and I did enjoy it a lot at the beginning. I found all the cast entertaining and interesting and what’s most important: everyone actually felt unique. But then we started to get the same annoying drama between the same few people over and over again and I was just done.There were many production wise choices that made the show less enjoyable. First of all not everyone going to the ex room changed a lot - that’s the thing that usually puts possible reconnection into movement. Then we have the double ex idea that was just shocking as a revelation, but then changed close to nothing in the actual show itself. When they decided to introduce new people was also ill timed and did not allow them to truly explore their options. What’s more, I wish next time they will encourage more dates with a variety of people, especially at the beginning. Make them choose more blindly, for example - pick a person for a date based on the ex letter, not knowing who it is about. Pick a person to go on a date based on a photo they took, favorite movie.
I’m just kind of disappointed. There were not that many romantic and butterfly inducing moments, and a lot of crying and blaming each other, borderline manipulation etc. One of the reasons the first two seasons were so fun to watch was the fact it was less dramatic, more genuine. But this season just pushed the drama to the forefront instead of focusing on the positive connections.
Overall, would not really recommend…
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1Mildly entertaining, mildly exhausting!
This was my first time watching Exchange and it was definitely a ride. I have mixed feeling about it. While the concept hooked me at start and it was definitely entertaining to guess who are the exes, it definitely didn't need 21 episodes to make its point. I feel like the pay off after investing so much time was too little and very dull.Bringing exes together is obviously going to cause chaos, but a lot of it felt very staged. The drama was doing the absolute most, like the show was trying way too hard to convince us it was “real.” I know it’s a reality dating show, but half the time it felt like I was watching a scripted K-drama with worse acting.
It was unpredictable, no doubt... but in a very predictable way. I mean I could guess most of the final couples way before the finale. The twists did not feel shocking, just expected moments dressed up as surprises. Also, the decision to release 1 episode per week made me lose interest faster. I wish they had a better airing schedule.
As for favourites, honestly, I did not really have any. I liked different people at different points, but that never lasted. Every time I started thinking “okay maybe I like them,” they would immediately say or do something that made me regret everything. The manipulation and toxicity at times took me out. I don't know if it was the production demand or something...
Overall, the first half, specifically the first 10 to 12 episodes, was actually entertaining. After that, it turned into background noise real quick. Not sure I will be tuning in next season unless I hear some very convincing reviews.
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Worst Exchange Season
The main attraction was Exchange was truly raw emotions and connections. But this season failed in that. I didn't feel any heart fluttering moments. Barely got touched by emotional stories.This season delivered in being dramatic and having a lot of EX conversations, but a lot felt unauthentic to me, which isn't what Exchange is for me. Even season 1 had couples I rooted for. In this season, I didn't particularly look forward to one couple or find new couples' chemistry that good.
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This review may contain spoilers
A rollercoaster of emotions
At first, I thought, “What fun could it be watching exes reunite on a dating show? They already know each other.” Well—my god, I was so wrong.. The plot is insanely entertaining.What really got me hooked is how they keep the exes a secret from the viewers at the start. Watching those connections slowly unfold and finally being revealed is hands down the most exciting part—it adds so much suspense and makes every episode addictive.
I will review the ex couples first as new couples are very uncertain at this point. The ex-couples that hit me the hardest:
Minkyung & Yoo Sik —NINE FREAKING YEARS.
Are you kidding me!! How do you even move on after dating someone for nine years? They practically grew up together. Their story broke my heart the most.
At first, I thought Minkyung was annoying and controlling, and Yoo Sik was just an innocent guy. But wow—I judged way too early. They gave nine years of their life to each other and he couldn’t even reassure her about their future? That’s devastating. What hurts more is that Yoo Sik said before entering the house that he wanted to get back with his ex, yet his actions and words don’t match at all. He seems oddly okay for someone who ended a nine-year relationship. I finally understand Minkyung now. Sadly, I don’t think they’ll get back together..
JiHyeon & Won Kyu
JiHyeon is my absolute favorite girl in the house. She feels the most real out of everyone. And Won Kyu? I am not soo sure! Either he is very confused or just want to confuse Ji Hyeon!
How do you tell someone you love NOT to chase her dreams? Shouldn’t you be her biggest supporter? He let her go because she was struggling and didn’t have a stable career—like sir, isn’t that the mindset people have in arranged marriages? She is right to call it INSINCERE LOVE and now he is confusing her!
You can clearly see that JiHyeon has lingering feelings. Thou I won’t mind her getting back with won kyu but she deserves someone who cheers her on, and appreciates her.
Baek Hyun & Hyeon Ji
I didn’t care much about them at first—they felt a bit overdramatic. I couldn’t tell if Baek Hyun genuinely liked her or was just putting on a show.
But then… those letters in the ex-room.. It was the first time I believed that Baek Hyun wasn’t faking it. On the other hand Hyeon Ji seems to be over dramatic at times(Ex-room drama) and she’s starting to give player vibes. Baek-hyun have chemistry with her but I am not rooting for them. They might even get back together—but they’re just not my favorite.
Yun Nyeong & Jae Hyeong
They seem to be on good terms and don’t really affect each other much emotionally. there aren’t any strong lingering feelings between them. Their story feels calm compared to the others—maybe a little too calm. I guess I’ll need to watch a few more episodes to see if any drama finally shows up.
Ji Yeon & Woo Jin
I honestly don’t know how to feel about them. Woo Jin didn’t treat Ji Yeon well during their relationship, and that’s undeniable. But at the same time, it feels like Ji Yeon is now provoking him—constantly saying in front of everyone, again and again, that she’s completely over her ex and would never get back together with him. Also she treats him like shit !! Woo Jin is clearly acknowledging his mistakes and struggling a lot. Ji Yeon could show some more consideration.
Seung yong and Hyeon Ji
He seemed calm and mature in the beginning but since the ex reveal episode, he is giving scary vibes. Hyeoneji doesn’t have any lingering feelings for him. I am least interested in them lol.
At this point I am not shipping any new couples bcz they all somehow lack chemistry. I liked Yun Nyeong & Baek hyun in the beginning but not anymore. I was rooting for Ji Hyeon & Yoo Sik but that ship also sank. I would have been nice to see Minkyung and Woojin together but they both want to go back to their exes! Don’t know who to ship anymore admist the exes drama!!
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Outlived its hype
The thing about seasons of dating shows is that there’s always a standard that you end up comparing it with. After the mess s3 ended in, I didn’t have much hopes but the start of s4 was quite promising. I liked how outgoing the women were, but as the episodes progressed, you notice that the men are almost present simply as an accessory. The dates which were majorly initiated by the women but didn’t hold my interest. With the episodes being released twice initially and then single episodes, the season lost my interest. I was rooting for a few people (both individually) but that isn’t strong enough for me to sit through a certain story that’s being edited in.One of the best things about this show is the panel, but I’m afraid even that fell flat this time around. Probably because the most dynamic part of the panel was withholding their thoughts.
To wrap it up, I would say there’s drama from time to time but it’s also quite boring rest of the times. Maybe I’ll eventually get back to it if I feel bored enough or come across a still that might pull me back in but for now I’m calling it quits.
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