▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows the producers and the dating coaches in the second season of the reality dating show "Better Late Than Single." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ This image, provided by Netflix, shows a scene from the second season of its reality dating show "Better Late Than Single." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Netflix series-new season

Awkward yet genuine late bloomers search for love in new season of 'Better Late Than Single'

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- Amid a wave of reality dating shows featuring good-looking singles alluring one another, "Better Late Than Single" stands out by putting the spotlight on individuals who have never been in a romantic relationship.

Following a successful debut season last year, the Netflix original show is set to return next week, with producers crediting its popularity to the awkward yet precious feelings of first love it evokes among viewers.

"There're a lot of reality dating shows, so it's an honor we could return with a second season," producer Kim Noh-eun said in a press conference Wednesday. "I think our show is like an old diary. You know it's cringey but you can't stop turning the pages because you've gone through it."

Won Seung-jae, who co-produced the show, noted how the feeling of looking at your awkward past self made the show hit close to home.

"People usually watch dating shows thinking they are watching someone else's relationship, but our show feels more like looking back on your own past," Won said. "Since everyone has dated and gone through similar experiences, viewers probably saw themselves in the cast and became more deeply immersed."

Kim also noted how the idea of a late bloomer appeared to resonate across Asian audiences. The first season of the show was among the 10 most-watched non-English shows on Netflix during its run last year.

"It seems to be quite common in Asia ... a sentiment shared in many Asian nations. Perhaps our show could go beyond a K-reality show and become an Asian reality dating show," Kim said, when asked about the show's overseas prominence.

Like the first season, the show features young, never-dated singles who receive styling tips or advice on how to express themselves and interact with other individuals from Seo In-guk, Kang Han-na, Lee Eun-ji and Car, the garden.

In keeping with the show's motto of genuineness at a time when many reality show stars become influencers or celebrities, the producers said they tried to select individuals who truly seem like never-dated singles.

Learning from the first season that lifelong singles tend to do nothing to begin a romantic relationship, Kim said the production team added new events to the show for the participants to get to know one another and mingle.

"Compared with the first season, which focused on the awkward moments of late bloomers beginning to find love, there is definitely progress," Kim said. "They do date. I'm not saying they're good at it, but they're like bumper cars -- you never know where the sparks will fly."

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