‘Better Late Than Single’ wins global hearts with awkward but honest approach

A scene from Netflix reality show "Better Late Than Single" / Courtesy of Netflix

The Netflix dating reality show “Better Late Than Single” wrapped up on July 29, becoming a sensation amid a flood of dating programs.

The 10-episode show featured 12 men and women, all around 26 or 27 years old, who have never had romantic relationships.

After a six-week preparation period, which included appearance makeovers and counseling sessions, the participants opened up to love for the first time during a nine-day group stay. As they challenged themselves to find romantic connections, two couples were formed in the final episode.

Producers revealed that more than 4,000 people applied during the selection process for the show.

From the very first episode, the participants drew attention not only for their desire to date but also for their earnestness and sincerity in wanting to change themselves. However, once they were thrown into the dating reality show, their inexperience in relationships made it difficult to mingle, with male and female contestants staying awkwardly apart from each other.

Among the male contestants, one froze and couldn’t speak in front of women. One struggled with childhood trauma from growing up as an immigrant in Brazil, while another often misunderstood social cues. One candidate had been so focused on his studies as a medical student that he had no dating experience.

As for the women, one had been stalked in the past. Another was a professional instructor who was used to speaking before listening. One woman, having attended all-girls middle and high schools and a women’s university, simply had no opportunity to meet men. Others had their own circumstances.

A scene from the Netflix reality show "Better Late Than Single" / Courtesy of Netflix

Awkward, authentic and addictive

Because all of the show participants were so inexperienced when it came to romance, scenes rarely seen on dating survival programs unfolded. One contestant, heartbroken by a failed attempt at romance, put on a proper “mukbang” (eating show), thoroughly enjoying his meal. Sometimes they roller-skated alone or slid into the bushes to avoid running into someone they liked.

“Even though these people are in their mid-to-late 20s, a huge number of them are ‘motae-solos’ (a Korean term referring to those who have never had romantic relations), because they went to college during the COVID-19 era,” said producer Kim Noh-eun, who created the show with two other producers, during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul on Thursday.

“There are honestly way more of those motae-solos than we expected. If people didn’t have much contact with others, it’s only natural they’d be inexperienced at dating, so whether voluntarily or involuntarily, they could easily end up never having dated anyone. That’s why so many people applied for the show. We [producers] all were also really surprised by the number of applicants.”

She added, “All of us were motae-solos at some point of our lives, too. Watching the contestants, I felt like I was seeing my own inexperienced self from the past. I think that sincerity really resonated with viewers.”

A scene from the Netflix reality show "Better Late Than Single" / Courtesy of Netflix

Global viewers also found the dating show a refreshing reminder of their own first dates.

Adhil, a 22-year-old viewer from India, empathized with the contestants on the show.

“Me as a university student trying to secure a job and complete my education while working on my little startup, I have little time to spare in my 20s here,” she said, adding that in Indonesia, middle-class people tend to be more career-oriented and many couples don’t settle down till their 30s.

Watching the show, she said she felt a real human connection that has become rare.

“Social media has impacted our lives positively by connecting us, but also negatively by taking away chances for real human connection. There’s a change much needed in society all over a world, and it’s our job to make it happen,” she said.

One viewer posted on Reddit, “This cast is a bit awkward but they feel much more real and authentic about their dating purpose. It also made me think how I would behave on a dating show.” The viewer added they prefer it over “Single's Inferno,” saying today’s dating shows often attract people aiming to become influencers. Another viewer wrote, “[The show] hits home hard sometimes, which is surprisingly satisfying to watch.”

The reality show entered Netflix’s global Top 10 immediately after its release and stayed there for two consecutive weeks. It also placed in the Top 10 in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

Culture critic Jung Duk-hyun said, “Being a motae-solo in your late 20s means that everyone has their own story, so when those stories are revealed through the successes and setbacks of romance, the emotional impact is especially profound.”