Netflix’s “Single’s Inferno” Season 4 (Image courtesy of Netflix)
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — In a steamy scene from Netflix’s “Single’s Inferno” Season 4, a matched couple shares a bed in what’s dubbed “Paradise,” an upscale resort. The camera lingers as they rustle under the same blanket late at night, with one participant whispering, “Isn’t this moving too fast?”
This scene, featured in the show’s official trailer, marks the first time in the series’ four-season run that such intimate moments have been captured, signaling an escalation in the “high-stimulation dating reality” genre.
According to industry observers, dating reality programs that once focused on innocent romance have become increasingly provocative.
As audiences grow weary of similar dating show formats flooding the market, producers are attempting to differentiate their content by promising stronger dopamine hits.
“Single’s Inferno,” which debuted on Netflix in 2021, has always marketed itself as a “spicy dating reality show.” While the original premise included couples flaunting their physiques in swimwear on a remote island and selected pairs spending nights together in hotels, the show has grown progressively more provocative with each season.
Season 3 gained attention for featuring controversial “villains,” while Season 4′s pre-release buzz centered on its unprecedented bedroom scenes. Before the latest season’s release, producers teased that viewers could expect “a hotter Paradise than ever before” and promised “record-level dopamine rushes that viewers won’t be able to look away from.”
“Exchange,” a TVING original program that first aired in 2021, is set to return with its fourth season this year. The show places multiple former couples in the same living space, where they must watch their exes potentially find new love while deciding whether to rekindle their old relationships or move on.
While “Exchange” avoids explicit physical intimacy, its premise of forcing participants to witness their former partners pursuing new relationships creates its own form of emotional tension. Viewers become deeply invested as they watch participants navigate complex situations, from those hoping to reunite with their exes to others coldly dismissing former partners in pursuit of new connections.
“I Am Solo,” which began in 2021, continues to maintain popularity in its fourth year with its documentary-style approach to marriage-focused dating. The show is known more for its frustrating moments than romantic ones, as desperate participants unknowingly reveal their immature sides, which producers present unvarnished.
Cultural critic Jung Duk-hyun suggests these shows will continue to push boundaries. “When dating reality shows first gained popularity, TV restrictions limited provocative content, forcing shows to focus on subtle romantic emotions,” he explained. “However, as streaming platforms have broken traditional taboos, these shows are becoming increasingly provocative.”
He predicts the genre will continue to test audience tolerance limits, potentially evolving to more closely resemble American dating reality shows.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
