A real and raw reality show with NORMAL people!
I was very satisfied with this show. I loved how the couples were all NORMAL people and not very fancy or over the top people with dazzling jobs. For the first time in a while I saw a reality “dating” show which didn’t seem very scripted at all. All of it felt real and raw. I could genuinely make out that every person was being driven by their emotions and not by some script. Of course there were a few things which could’ve definitely been avoided and the episodes could've been shorter, but nonetheless, it was very entertaining and enjoyable. I’m also very satisfied with the way it ended. To sum it up, this show gives you a dose of reality with how actual couples deal with their problems.I definitely recommend this to whomsoever debating to wether invest their time in watching this or no! Just know that whenever you start this, you’re in for the long run while experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions!
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Quite quickly you can figure out no new couples will form here. While the dates provide a new perspective for the couples to view their own relationship, it would be painfully ridiculous and unrealistic for any of these people to fall in love with a new person in just two weeks. And that’s one of the aspects I did not like - short duration. I honestly don’t think 2 weeks is enough of a time for a show with a premise like that. It probably would be better if the filming took a month - just keep them all in Seoul and let them go to work, so they don’t take a full 2 weeks off.
Because the duration was so short, a lot of things felt rushed and we kind of got bombarded with new developments, constant arguments and unresolved issues. I cannot even imagine how exhausting it must have been for the participants.
That said, it’s still a surprisingly great show. Somehow, no matter how flawed the relationships might have been, I rooted for most of them to stay together. It was nice to watch them learn how to communicate with each other and appreciate the bond they have.
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Believable!
i am a new viewer to Korean culture. My perspective is limited to what is translated, be it books, news, songs, dramas. When i started watching this show, i was totally lost but, it was so different from the dramas that know where they are going, happy or sad. So, i had to watch the episodes over and over, rewind, and make notes, but, it was so fascinating to me because i was able to be aware of all the emotional (non verbal) dynamics more. Isn't that why we go to watch sports, nobody knows how it will end. i find it especially interesting to see how the hearts and minds are pulled in different directions. It may seem that the shows pull and push format may be mean but, after 50 years of married reality, i know, the sooner you learn how little control you have, that you only get to accept or reject the other, because you can only change yourself, then the better the chance, for whatever you decide happiness is, to find it, find some harmony. And, i find the four commentators hilarious in their naivete. If they used "experts" that would ruin it.Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshing concept on couples dealing with real problems!
I was hooked the moment I saw the plot. The couples' problems were raw and relatable. There was actually action going on with the different dates and different adventures of each pairing.Towards the end, it started to go downhill. I felt like the conversations were going nowhere. The production team could have done more to help make it easy for them to make the final decision. It felt like the couples were still unsure till the end, and took a stab at their decisions, except one couple. It seemed like there was no way of knowing if the couple made their decision after thinking long or made the decision in response to their significant other's choice. Seeing their SO's choice can waver their own choice, which is a big flaw of the show then. They should have texted their answer first in secret and revealed after or something.
The different pairings of the participants are simply for funsies. This show is obviously urging for the couples to stay together than to find new love. So don't watch expecting new ships!
Lastly, the panelists. I think only Code Kunst was giving sound commentary. The rest were literally just repeating and giving a recap of what we already saw a second ago. I found myself skipping the redundant remarks.
Overall, recommended for those looking to see the realities behind those picture perfect relationships. Everyone's only human and just like there's no perfect person, there are no perfect relationships!
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Human Emotions and the behavior they cause
I like to watch these kind of shows because they have a romance/relationship foundation. Four broken couples agree to go on a two week trip where they will date other people. This is supposed to repair the damage in their relationships. Am I the only one that thinks this idea is risky at best?The first thing that happens is you get to meet the commentators. Four people that are openly routing for the original couples to leave holding hands and walking into the sunset. At times I wondered if the commentators were even watching the same show.
Three of the four men were openly aggressive and controlling with there original partners but nice to the women they dated. They loved to demonstrate how they could aggressively talk their significant other into a corner and make them squirm. For example the math professor who treated his woman like a math problem. I found myself routing for all three of these couples to break up. But unfortunately two of the three women usually came crawling back to their aggressive controllers apologizing in humble obedience. The third woman who seemed to stand her ground.
The fourth couple I openly routed for. The only thing holding them back was his pending two year military requirement. Life interjecting itself in between a beautiful couple.
So one person would go on a date and when they returned their partners were presented with pictures of the date which brought on a multitude of responses. You were smiling too much. Were you touching him? We’re you leaning on his shoulder? You look so happy, you were never that happy with me. On and on it went driving me crazy, but I couldn’t stop watching. Trust was stretched to the limit. Patience and tolerance was non-existent. The commentators never called out the three men for their aggressive behavior.
The couple that stood out in my mind was Tae Wan and Hye Yeon. When they drove up in the beginning he quickly demonstrated his controlling behavior. Throughout the two weeks he pressed her with hateful language and a disrespectful attitude. In one case Tae Wan decided to go out and interrupt his partner who was on a date with another man. The show gave him the opportunity to do that for some reason. The commentators thought this was so sweet of him. I’m screaming, “are you kidding me”. As I expected it didn’t go well. He barged in on the date and sat there with his arrogant smile. His significant other wouldn’t even look at him. You could almost see the anger bleeding off her. He acts this way because he knows he can. I was so proud of her for standing her ground. Then at a date between the two of them he poured out his “feelings” and shed a few tears? Much to my surprise that seemed to work. She finally came back declaring that she was the problem in their relationship, although I could clearly see that she wasn’t. I was so disappointed that she came to that conclusion.
They are all peachy now and she is back in his clutches. He pats her on the head like a dog. Then he caught her with a text from a male friend of hers. Not a bad text, just a text from a male friend. He did an immediate 180 and wanted to breakup. He had the leverage he was looking for. She eventually came back to him begging. The creepy smile he had on his face was almost too much to watch. He had her, but did they stay together?
So if you want the see raw human behavior at its finest this one is for you. Jealousy on steroids. Heartaches and emotional ups and downs. I couldn’t stop watching.
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“Ive been thinking about breaking up for 280 days”
Awkward in the very best way. I love to fall asleep to this show then restart it. The characters voices are so soothing even when they are arguing. The most respectful dating show I’ve ever seen. The way they describe everything in days is my favorite. The cast is so quiet I think there is one date where no one says anything. It’s a nice break from the mostly obnoxious alcohol fueled dating shows that dominate reality tV. I appreciate the style of the characters also rather than just being in swimwear for the entire season.Was this review helpful to you?
realistic relationship problems but fake endings
Jiyu my girl, why did you choose Dohyongh?! He has been constantly manipulating her and blaming her cause he knows that she will accept it but when Jiyu stood up for herself and didn't let him off for talking smack to her face he was like "I might reconsider our relationship", well he should have. Honestly, I think both stayed for the sake of looking good in front of the viewers but broke up after the show ended. Also, Jiyu is an influencer and Dohyongh is a math instructor they want to keep their images so it doesn't affect their professional life. So yeah I wish they would have broken up in the show but I think they broke up after it ended.Even though I very much disliked Hyeyeon at the beginning for constantly gaslighting Taewan but after they had the big convo Taewon was pissing me off. Since around ep13/14, he has been constantly victimizing himself when she was trying to change for him. Also, he deserved a slap for taking her phone off her. I understood him for the fact that he was unable to trust her because of her behavior in the past but he shouldn't have just victimized himself and kept trying to make her look bad. Also, I'm 100% sure that he wanted to break up on the show but it was obvious that Hyeyeon didn't want to so he also didn't because he doesn't want to look bad. I'm very sure that they will break up after a couple of weeks once the show ends. Honestly, he could break up as soon as leaving the show but you know they probably want the brand deals and ads and all. Altogether I think they should've broken up and will after the show.
EVERYONE, PLEASE GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO YUNSEOL! SHE IS OUR QUEEN! Good thing Hyogi and Yunseol broke up. tbh I don't think either of them wanted to break up but the way they are so different made them have so much pent-up anger. Yunseol would have stayed but the way Hyogi overreacted and faulted everything on Yunseol cause Taewan made the "helper" comment made Yunseol very hurt especially since he shouted at her in front of everyone. Basically humiliating and trying to act tough in front of the "boys". Throughout the show, Yunseol kept her cool and didn't let herself be in a vulnerable state in front of anyone, but that night she was crying so it made me instantly think she was done with him. And Hyogi also loved her but he was constantly talking about that past. He would be listening to her and when she brings up what he did to her he would fire back with "but what about the 500 days of..." Like just shut up Hyogi! Why are you so obsessed with the past? Anyways they are both in the wrong in many ways. Also, we didn't really see much of Yunseol's perspective. Anyways happy they broke up.
It makes sense that Jeong Hun and Huiyeon are staying together. If Jeonghun had a stable job from the beginning then they wouldn't have needed to come to the show even because as Huiyeon said that after he gets off of the army it will take him another 2ish years to be stable but she wants to get married and be stable. Anyways happy for them.
Overall opinion: The only couple's decisions I'm happy with are Huiyeon + Jungheon (stayed together) and Hyogi + Yunseol (broke up). The rest should've broken up as well but didn't.
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Communication and assurance is key
I liked the concept of the show but at times I felt it was a bit cruel to have couples who are on the verge of breaking up watch their partners date new people and build connections and enjoy themselves. Some of the participants were also torn about whether they should be friendly or restrain themselves on dates. The biggest issue among most couples was how they communicate and it was clear to see that lack of trust and fear was adding to their inability to communicate effectively. It was quite eye-opening as I analysed my own communication skills. It's a good show to reflect on and learn from watching the challenges faced by others. It has some funny moments early on as the couples adjust to their partners going on dates but as the show goes on, you begin to feel their pain.My only issue with the show midway was that there is no challenge for the participants to work on their relationships when they are already unsure on how to resolve their problems. If anything, new people in the mix is like adding to the fire of mistrust and uncertainty. I'm glad there is no interference by the producers but there ought to be some tasks that can help the couples communicate with their partners as well.
After completing the series, it was clear that the looming deadline suddenly woke a lot of the couples up and they realised, this might be their last chance to talk it through with the partners. Being able to listen, as well as see each others' perspective and in some cases reassure their partner that they are committed was what many of them were looking for. It was certainly a fascinating series.
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