Netflix’s entertainment program ‘Solo but Want to Date,’ which captures the heartfelt first love challenges of solo individuals, is making headlines. Amidst the flood of dating shows, this unfamiliar and honest dating reality show quickly captured the public’s attention, achieving the first place in Netflix Korea’s TOP10 series on the 11th. Particularly noteworthy is how it stopped the dominance of ‘Squid Game 3.’
‘Solo but Want to Date’ is a makeover dating show capturing the first love challenges of participants with no past dating experience. Unlike the typical glamorous dating shows, the awkward and clumsy characters evoke empathy and laughter. The producers focused on the emotional amplitude, longing for first love, and the participants’ transformation and growth as the fun elements of ‘dopamine explosion’. PD Kim No-eun said, “The longing and sincerity for romance are great, and the fun from unexpectedness provides fresh emotions,” adding that they wanted to show participants gaining confidence over a six-week journey.
Psychologists emphasize that solo individuals’ lack of dating isn’t simply due to lack of appearance or charm. Dr. Park Jong-seok of Yonsei Bom Mental Health Clinic analyzed, “Due to avoidant personality traits, fear of rejection or failure is significant, and they often build walls towards intimate relationships.” On the other hand, some intentionally refrain from dating due to their independent nature.
The show’s popularity is also linked to viewers’ ‘mirroring effect.’ Viewers recall their first love while watching the participants’ clumsy attempts, revisiting past trial and error and experiencing emotional empathy. The emotional line of ‘realistic’ characters, not based on appearance or credentials, evokes empathy and immersion unseen in existing dating shows.
Episodes 4-6, released on the 15th, showcase a more substantial development of emotions. After the initial explorations, participants show their straight-line instincts, changing to an extent where even Sunmaker Seo In-guk and Kang Han-na react, “That’s Dex.” The challenge of solo individuals towards love is only beginning.
However, concerns exist that the show might reinforce societal stigmas regarding ‘solo individuals.’ Dr. Park Jong-seok stated, “We should avoid prejudices that regard lack of dating experience as a personality defect or immaturity,” adding “Dating can be an altruistic experience where one gives oneself for the partner, and it’s worth trying for anyone, whether solo or not.”
This new dating show breaking traditional molds not only offers simple ‘love watching’ but also genuinely supports the courageous first steps of those inexperienced in love. How the real dating of solo individuals will unfold remains to be seen.
