In the land of K-dramas, where love stories unfold with heart-fluttering romance and impossibly perfect protagonists, a reality dating show is flipping the script – and winning hearts. I Am Solo, a show that feels more like a mirror to the messy, awkward and practical realities of modern romance, has become a cultural sensation in South Korea.
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First aired in 2021, the show has featured nearly 300 contestants over more than 180 episodes, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Each series, seven men and seven women meet, date and decide if love is in the cards. It’s raw, clumsy and refreshingly real – qualities that have captivated viewers longing for something more grounded than the polished allure of Netflix’s Single’s Inferno or Channel A’s Heart Signal.
“I started watching because I heard some contestants on the show became couples in real life,” said An Sinae, a 31-year-old travel influencer and devoted fan. “The producers really show us everything, including the clumsy behaviour and contestants’ frequent slip-ups. It’s quite raw compared to the other dating shows.”
An, who tunes in religiously every Wednesday with friends, says they have a ritual: watching together, dissecting every interaction and speculating about which contestants will pair up.
Just real lives
Unlike its glossier counterparts, I Am Solo takes a more democratic approach to casting. There are no preening influencers or gym-sculpted models. Anyone can apply via email and the result is a cast that feels strikingly familiar – people you might encounter at work or in your social circles.