By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa.com
May 17, 2020
With many of us confined at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, it may not feel like Spring is in the air. Although we may not be able to be outside as much as we’d like to enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine, there are a few reality shows to remind us that love is in the air, even when it’s sometimes complicated and messy.
“Love Me Actually”
Main cast: Yang Se-ChanHeo Kyeong-HwanPark Sung-Kwang, Dong Woo, Kim Min-Kyu
The five hosts of of “Love Me Actually” are willing to put their life’s romantic experiences out there for everyone to see, as they discuss where they have failed in the past and what they have learned for their future relationships. Sometimes, the men end up hurting each other’s chances with the opposite sex more than they help.
For instance, the maknae Kim Min-Kyu is always eager to help his hyungs, even when the hyungs were strongly hinting that they wanted their female guests to offer their assistance. Yes, he gets confused sometimes. And yes, the teasing is all in good fun. But if they refer to him as stupid one more time, I’m about to throw my hands …
“Don’t Be Jealous”
Main cast: Jeon Somi, Ravi, Jang Sung-Kyu, Jang Do Yeon
“Don’t Be Jealous” celebrates the love lives of well-known couples who have chosen to speak to the public about their relationships. The participants give viewers glimpses into their private lives. They talk about how they met each other, their hopes and dreams and even hint about marriage in the future. Featured couples included actress Lee Song-Hyun and diver Lee Jae-Han; celebrity chef Lee Won Il and “The Manager” PD Kim Yoo-Jin; former Wonder Girls’ Hyerim and her longtime taekwondo star boyfriend Shin Min-Chul; and Rainbow member Jisook and her boyfriend, Lee Doo-Hee (who was in the news recently after he developed a website that informed Koreans as to where face masks were available so that they could protect themselves from the spread of coronavirus).
Emcee Jang Do Yeon had said it would be a dream come true if K-pop queen (and former Wonder Girl) HyunA and her boyfriend Dawn appeared on the series. Fans may remember that their dating was such a big deal that their label chose to drop them when the couple’s relationship was revealed. Psy, who had selected HyunA to star in his video for “Gangnam Style, signed both to his boutique label.
“Love Naggers”
Main cast: Han Hye JinSeo Jang HoonKim SookKwak Jeong EunJoo Woo Jae
“Love Naggers” is less light-hearted than “Don’t be Jealous” and “Love Me Actually,” because this reality series centers around helping viewers decide when it’s time to end toxic relationships. There was the woman whose boyfriend turned their respective families’ wealth into a competition; a man who said he loved his girlfriend but wanted her to get plastic surgery because he didn’t think she was pretty enough; a man who secretly stayed in touch with his family (even though they didn’t approve of his girlfriend); and another man who wanted to install a home surveillance camera in his girlfriend’s house not for her safety, but so he could keep tabs on her. The panel does a decent job of guiding the guests and also not mincing words as needed.
