Honest thoughts of an avid anti–reality dating show aficionado
I’ll preface this by saying: after years surfing MAL, I finally made an account because I *had* to point out how **HAWT** I-geon is. Like hello, I don’t think there’s enough ink about it. The moment he showed up on screen, we got that side profile first, and I literally paused and took a deep breath because I just knew he would be H.O.T.
He has such an actor face, and I really hoped he would pursue it…well.
I was worried they’d give him a playboy persona, but from the get-go he seemed to be into mature relationships. I expected the Ye-jin pickup, and it seemed like he chose Go-eun because he could fill the spot with a familiar face. But since their first date… damn. If flirting is a symphony, that man plays every instrument.
I don’t care if it’s scripted, if it’s acting, or if it’s to launch his career. He sold the role, and I am signed the f up for whatever he does next.
---
I’ll try to organize this now.
Basically, I always avoided dating shows like the plague. Something very twisted about the underlying promise of authentically falling in love when it’s still a production — a scripted setup with performers using their real names. And there’s also how thick your skin needs to be to participate, because you’ll be scrutinized for things you didn’t get the most say in, but you still have to sell the illusion that you did.
---
Go-eun and … Sung-min
I’ll circle back to Go-eun first. At the beginning, it did seem like she’d be the “foxy type”, but she turned out calmer.
My turning point with her was the photoshoot. Damn, I love seeing pros go at it. Jaejin’s approach was chef’s kiss, and I knew if they had any taste, they’d vote them for the win.
It’s interesting how what she said in her intro became true. She was interested in Hyeon-woo first, but the timing didn’t overlap. I don’t like speculating, but I do feel like she dated toxic guys and maybe she’s still in that mind frame.
I knew Sung-min would be popular on day one. He gives off calm, reliable energy, very pensive and grounded in his early conversations. But as the show went on, and contrary to how some people read it as confidence, I saw more insecurity and cornering tactics. And I don’t know how to feel about it seeming to work.
Like the panelists said: compared to how fun, dynamic, and substantial her time with I-geon is… we just don’t see what makes Sung-min the top pick. It’s a little unfair, editing-wise. With him we mostly get controlling energy and yapping, while with I-geon we get the full pool mating-call experience.
So I can’t help but speculate. It’s obvious Sung-min is rich. Maybe I-geon and Go-eun know each other better than they claim, or she heard something off-camera. It really feels like an important piece is missing.
---
Jaejin & Joo-young
On to less complicated plotlines.
Jaejin is such a breath of fresh air. He truly seems like an old soul isekai’d into this show. And it ALL made sense when he was revealed to be an artist.
I wish they showed more of his humorous bits. I knew he and Joo-young were endgame the moment she got his sense of humor and said she was into arts and crafts too.
Every time they’re together, I just take a deep breath and nod.
Grounded, clean, reassuring, whimsical. That’s their energy.
Ideally, they should be the main event given the show’s pitch. But what we all know - and might not want to admit - is that what people watch these shows for is the mess.
So let’s address it.
---
Mi-na
I don’t think “Mary Sue” is really into any guy. Choi Mi-na is Choi Minasexual.
At best, she’s into gals. Because the moment she senses one of them has something going on with a guy, she tries to cockblock. She talks about girls more than guys, if you pay attention.
At some point I found myself calling her insane, and then I had to slap some sense into myself. People should cut her some slack. She made the show dynamic. And it’s low-key hypocritical when the whole premise is being single and ready to mingle, but everyone acts shocked when she’s just more upfront about it.
The girl must have serious mental fortitude, because it’s obvious they assigned her the villain role.
I do think she’ll end up with Seunghun. She did her math early and made sure she had a Plan D ready. I’m not even playing devil’s advocate - she reminds me of a very specific type of messy girl.
Her expressions are exaggerated, she’s always looking for the camera, and the mental gymnastics she ping-pongs through while talking to different people is kind of impressive. The way she always frames things as “I didn’t want to, but I did it for you,” so it’s "okay if she eventually does what she wants".
One thing’s for sure: girl went all in for the performance.
---
I’ll talk now about the challenges, the contestants made all of them quite enjoyable, as simple as the premise might’ve seemed, but my favorites are still the 1st two: photoshoot and 1st couple game because they set everything in motion. For example, it made Mina interested in Su-been( although I think he caught her attention before) and Su-been in Hee-sun, yes , in that order, in this essay I will… Okay,lol,
---
Hee-sun & Su-been
Hee-sun is probably the one who flipped my initial reading of her the most. At first she seemed like the type to follow her crush around and do whatever to feel accepted, laugh instead of processing her feelings, just to not upset anyone.
I felt bad for her. Even rooted for her.
Then she flipped the table. Smart girl.
As for Su-been, he’s so drama-male-lead coded. His age made my jaw drop, but something about those World Cup babies, I’m telling you. (And the way he didn’t even ask what bag to carry — he just did it. That tells you everything)
I think he’s a direct upfront person with a strong sense of self, making him not susceptible to settle for bs , I think he stayed honest all throughout.
Looking back, when it seemed like he was ignoring Hee-sun, it was probably because he liked someone else and didn’t want to lead her on. But that changed after the photoshoot.
I knew if they ever got paired, I knew he’d fall. For one — or rather two — simple reasons: her boobs. I will not elaborate.
Something shifted after that, and it eventually bloomed into something really nice. Their date felt so natural, like they were already two years into their relationship. I laughed so hard when the panelists started acting like schoolgirls, hoping they’d kiss. Their paradise and post paradise time is quite memorable.
I did enjoy his date with Minjee as well, but not in the same way, I did wonder why she didn’t show interest in him and Hyeonwoo before it was too late, as they both have this cute boyish but also manly athletic charm, it’s so obvious they are sportsmen.
I think he felt genuine relief realizing this sweet, beautiful Hee-sun who liked him was also smart and secure. Absolute jackpot.
---
Min-jee & Seung-il
I liked Min-jee from the get-go. Actually, it was that clip of her grabbing Seung-il by the hood that made me want to watch the show. And it seemed fresh that a non player type would be the popular one among the guys.
As for Seung-il, at first, he gave off hustler energy, maybe someone constantly around older women, could be snobbish. But the more he talked, the more proactive and endearing he seemed. He asked everyone’s names, quickly understood the dynamics as to who the main girl and main upsetter could be, and even said them out loud.
But that blunt honesty later backfired.
Their relationship started strong, but it fumbled. At first I blamed him, then I remembered the hypocrisy. They’re told to explore, but get criticized for it.
He stayed true to his words: only interested in two people. And that second paradise date went badly for both him and his Mary Sue. I even caught myself thinking “deserved,” I felt Min jee would pick Su-been for the 2nd date and was like atta girl, as if her and Seung Il were already an IRL item,which made me realize how toxic that mindset is.
The real issue was the lack of communication and I feel this rough back and forth would follow them if they were to actually date, they would be the couple that breaks up and come back together more than the number of weekends in a year.
---
Time to start wrapping up
Special shoutout to my homeboy Seunghun. He’s so real. He feels like the rich moral-support friend, the third lead in a 2006–2009 reverse harem. Unexpectedly funny, supportive, I saw how he tried to help Hyun-jae get the girl.
He did stick to his first pick for the longest time, probably because the quick logistical calculation pointed him toward Mina Sue, and I do think it will pay off. But it was bittersweetly satisfying to see him and Heesun rise as the underdogs.
I loved their time in paradise; they both became more charming, and it was refreshing to see how he creatively addressed the two questions about age and job. So many of them jump straight to those topics as if they’re speed dating. I get the curiosity, but it honestly gives me the ick. I feel like those things should come out gradually, after you’ve both had the chance to get to know each other, and that habit seems to have shut down a lot of potential developments.
Ha-eun is sweet and bubbly, but they quickly labeled her the “younger sister,” so she ended up like Ye-jin: there for vibes and support. But I do appreciate the fact that the number of non toxic contestants is higher.
Ye-jin and Hyeon-woo honestly feel like they’re in the wrong show. They’re both ready to get wifed-up. And let’s be real, 30 is still very young. But she clearly came looking for an older, serious guy.
That’s why she basically ruled all of them out until I-geon showed up and even when she wanted to settle for him it was too late, but I totally get her chill laid-back energy and I know she will have many suitors .
I thought Hyeonwoo would pursue Jooyoung or Min Jee but welp Go eun acted first, it’s always interesting to see the subtle differences in cultures, because the way he acted in paradise might have been better received elsewhere.
Hyun-jae (Moon Sang Min is that you?) is another unproblematic sweet guy. Clearly grew up comfortably. Wishing him the best.
He could pair up with Haeun or Yejin but it would out of character, and I don’t think there’s a prize to win other than “finding love”? (and clout let’s be real).
---
Final thoughts
My top three: I-geon, Jaejin, and Su-been. Different charms, but they all carry themselves with grace and assertiveness.
Will I watch another dating show?
Still no.
Maybe season two, solely for Dex, as I’ve known him for a while. But it was interesting analyzing my own experience with the ultimate “spectacle society” genre.
This is a production, after all. It shouldn’t negatively affect people’s real lives. I did notice discussions get heated, but the promise should remain entertainment. As long as producers and viewers agree on that, all is good.
He has such an actor face, and I really hoped he would pursue it…well.
I was worried they’d give him a playboy persona, but from the get-go he seemed to be into mature relationships. I expected the Ye-jin pickup, and it seemed like he chose Go-eun because he could fill the spot with a familiar face. But since their first date… damn. If flirting is a symphony, that man plays every instrument.
I don’t care if it’s scripted, if it’s acting, or if it’s to launch his career. He sold the role, and I am signed the f up for whatever he does next.
---
I’ll try to organize this now.
Basically, I always avoided dating shows like the plague. Something very twisted about the underlying promise of authentically falling in love when it’s still a production — a scripted setup with performers using their real names. And there’s also how thick your skin needs to be to participate, because you’ll be scrutinized for things you didn’t get the most say in, but you still have to sell the illusion that you did.
---
Go-eun and … Sung-min
I’ll circle back to Go-eun first. At the beginning, it did seem like she’d be the “foxy type”, but she turned out calmer.
My turning point with her was the photoshoot. Damn, I love seeing pros go at it. Jaejin’s approach was chef’s kiss, and I knew if they had any taste, they’d vote them for the win.
It’s interesting how what she said in her intro became true. She was interested in Hyeon-woo first, but the timing didn’t overlap. I don’t like speculating, but I do feel like she dated toxic guys and maybe she’s still in that mind frame.
I knew Sung-min would be popular on day one. He gives off calm, reliable energy, very pensive and grounded in his early conversations. But as the show went on, and contrary to how some people read it as confidence, I saw more insecurity and cornering tactics. And I don’t know how to feel about it seeming to work.
Like the panelists said: compared to how fun, dynamic, and substantial her time with I-geon is… we just don’t see what makes Sung-min the top pick. It’s a little unfair, editing-wise. With him we mostly get controlling energy and yapping, while with I-geon we get the full pool mating-call experience.
So I can’t help but speculate. It’s obvious Sung-min is rich. Maybe I-geon and Go-eun know each other better than they claim, or she heard something off-camera. It really feels like an important piece is missing.
---
Jaejin & Joo-young
On to less complicated plotlines.
Jaejin is such a breath of fresh air. He truly seems like an old soul isekai’d into this show. And it ALL made sense when he was revealed to be an artist.
I wish they showed more of his humorous bits. I knew he and Joo-young were endgame the moment she got his sense of humor and said she was into arts and crafts too.
Every time they’re together, I just take a deep breath and nod.
Grounded, clean, reassuring, whimsical. That’s their energy.
Ideally, they should be the main event given the show’s pitch. But what we all know - and might not want to admit - is that what people watch these shows for is the mess.
So let’s address it.
---
Mi-na
I don’t think “Mary Sue” is really into any guy. Choi Mi-na is Choi Minasexual.
At best, she’s into gals. Because the moment she senses one of them has something going on with a guy, she tries to cockblock. She talks about girls more than guys, if you pay attention.
At some point I found myself calling her insane, and then I had to slap some sense into myself. People should cut her some slack. She made the show dynamic. And it’s low-key hypocritical when the whole premise is being single and ready to mingle, but everyone acts shocked when she’s just more upfront about it.
The girl must have serious mental fortitude, because it’s obvious they assigned her the villain role.
I do think she’ll end up with Seunghun. She did her math early and made sure she had a Plan D ready. I’m not even playing devil’s advocate - she reminds me of a very specific type of messy girl.
Her expressions are exaggerated, she’s always looking for the camera, and the mental gymnastics she ping-pongs through while talking to different people is kind of impressive. The way she always frames things as “I didn’t want to, but I did it for you,” so it’s "okay if she eventually does what she wants".
One thing’s for sure: girl went all in for the performance.
---
I’ll talk now about the challenges, the contestants made all of them quite enjoyable, as simple as the premise might’ve seemed, but my favorites are still the 1st two: photoshoot and 1st couple game because they set everything in motion. For example, it made Mina interested in Su-been( although I think he caught her attention before) and Su-been in Hee-sun, yes , in that order, in this essay I will… Okay,lol,
---
Hee-sun & Su-been
Hee-sun is probably the one who flipped my initial reading of her the most. At first she seemed like the type to follow her crush around and do whatever to feel accepted, laugh instead of processing her feelings, just to not upset anyone.
I felt bad for her. Even rooted for her.
Then she flipped the table. Smart girl.
As for Su-been, he’s so drama-male-lead coded. His age made my jaw drop, but something about those World Cup babies, I’m telling you. (And the way he didn’t even ask what bag to carry — he just did it. That tells you everything)
I think he’s a direct upfront person with a strong sense of self, making him not susceptible to settle for bs , I think he stayed honest all throughout.
Looking back, when it seemed like he was ignoring Hee-sun, it was probably because he liked someone else and didn’t want to lead her on. But that changed after the photoshoot.
I knew if they ever got paired, I knew he’d fall. For one — or rather two — simple reasons: her boobs. I will not elaborate.
Something shifted after that, and it eventually bloomed into something really nice. Their date felt so natural, like they were already two years into their relationship. I laughed so hard when the panelists started acting like schoolgirls, hoping they’d kiss. Their paradise and post paradise time is quite memorable.
I did enjoy his date with Minjee as well, but not in the same way, I did wonder why she didn’t show interest in him and Hyeonwoo before it was too late, as they both have this cute boyish but also manly athletic charm, it’s so obvious they are sportsmen.
I think he felt genuine relief realizing this sweet, beautiful Hee-sun who liked him was also smart and secure. Absolute jackpot.
---
Min-jee & Seung-il
I liked Min-jee from the get-go. Actually, it was that clip of her grabbing Seung-il by the hood that made me want to watch the show. And it seemed fresh that a non player type would be the popular one among the guys.
As for Seung-il, at first, he gave off hustler energy, maybe someone constantly around older women, could be snobbish. But the more he talked, the more proactive and endearing he seemed. He asked everyone’s names, quickly understood the dynamics as to who the main girl and main upsetter could be, and even said them out loud.
But that blunt honesty later backfired.
Their relationship started strong, but it fumbled. At first I blamed him, then I remembered the hypocrisy. They’re told to explore, but get criticized for it.
He stayed true to his words: only interested in two people. And that second paradise date went badly for both him and his Mary Sue. I even caught myself thinking “deserved,” I felt Min jee would pick Su-been for the 2nd date and was like atta girl, as if her and Seung Il were already an IRL item,which made me realize how toxic that mindset is.
The real issue was the lack of communication and I feel this rough back and forth would follow them if they were to actually date, they would be the couple that breaks up and come back together more than the number of weekends in a year.
---
Time to start wrapping up
Special shoutout to my homeboy Seunghun. He’s so real. He feels like the rich moral-support friend, the third lead in a 2006–2009 reverse harem. Unexpectedly funny, supportive, I saw how he tried to help Hyun-jae get the girl.
He did stick to his first pick for the longest time, probably because the quick logistical calculation pointed him toward Mina Sue, and I do think it will pay off. But it was bittersweetly satisfying to see him and Heesun rise as the underdogs.
I loved their time in paradise; they both became more charming, and it was refreshing to see how he creatively addressed the two questions about age and job. So many of them jump straight to those topics as if they’re speed dating. I get the curiosity, but it honestly gives me the ick. I feel like those things should come out gradually, after you’ve both had the chance to get to know each other, and that habit seems to have shut down a lot of potential developments.
Ha-eun is sweet and bubbly, but they quickly labeled her the “younger sister,” so she ended up like Ye-jin: there for vibes and support. But I do appreciate the fact that the number of non toxic contestants is higher.
Ye-jin and Hyeon-woo honestly feel like they’re in the wrong show. They’re both ready to get wifed-up. And let’s be real, 30 is still very young. But she clearly came looking for an older, serious guy.
That’s why she basically ruled all of them out until I-geon showed up and even when she wanted to settle for him it was too late, but I totally get her chill laid-back energy and I know she will have many suitors .
I thought Hyeonwoo would pursue Jooyoung or Min Jee but welp Go eun acted first, it’s always interesting to see the subtle differences in cultures, because the way he acted in paradise might have been better received elsewhere.
Hyun-jae (Moon Sang Min is that you?) is another unproblematic sweet guy. Clearly grew up comfortably. Wishing him the best.
He could pair up with Haeun or Yejin but it would out of character, and I don’t think there’s a prize to win other than “finding love”? (and clout let’s be real).
---
Final thoughts
My top three: I-geon, Jaejin, and Su-been. Different charms, but they all carry themselves with grace and assertiveness.
Will I watch another dating show?
Still no.
Maybe season two, solely for Dex, as I’ve known him for a while. But it was interesting analyzing my own experience with the ultimate “spectacle society” genre.
This is a production, after all. It shouldn’t negatively affect people’s real lives. I did notice discussions get heated, but the promise should remain entertainment. As long as producers and viewers agree on that, all is good.
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