No. 156 / Mar 7, 2022
Love and relationships are always among the main concerns of Generation Z. In recent years, reality-dating programs have gained significant popularity. The unique characteristics of Generation Z have clearly played a role in this phenomenon. Many discussions have focused on why people from this generation are crazy about dating shows on TV.
Change Days
Change Days is a program that portrays the process of deciding whether to continue dating a current lover by going on dates with other people who are also on the verge of separation. The Generation Z feature that stands out to viewers while watching the show is “risk taking”. Whether or not someone is in danger of breaking up with their lover, it is quite risky to reconsider their current relationship by going out with other people. However, Generation Z regards this as a necessary experience, as it will help them make the best choice. In other words, it may seem reckless, but when it comes to dating, Generation Z does not hesitate to take on bold challenges.
Transferring Love
In Transferring Love, four couples who had previously broken up live together for a while, reflecting on their past love and starting a new one. The biggest feature of this broadcast is that viewers can catch a glimpse of Generation Z’s “realism”. The performers realistically share their honest feelings and thoughts after the breakup, which enables them to gain sympathy from viewers. Many young people have a hard time going through breakups and experiencing diverse emotions, and they are inclined to feel comforted by people who are going through a similar process themselves. Furthermore, if it was a drama series, rather than a reality program, it would have ended with the previous lover being chosen. Instead, the broadcast featured realistic aspects of dating through participants who chose to have new relationships with new people.
Heart Signal
Heart Signal features people from various backgrounds who gather in a house and go on to find the right partner. Viewers are excited by the opportunity to feel thrilled through people on TV. In other words, they are “vicariously pleased”. Although Generation Z is quite interested in love and relationships, their tendency to focus on their own happiness and success causes them to be hesitant when meeting new people. This leads to difficulty in starting new relationships, which means they will seek places where they can experience the emotions one feels when in love. Heart Signal especially emphasizes these sentiments by showing how people react when they fall in love or chase people they like.
Thus, it is clear that an interesting variety of programs have been developed. Hopefully, only beneficial programs that have positive impacts on the public will continue to be developed in the future.
By Park Se-jeong, AG Reporter
summer06@ajou.ac.kr
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