New South Korean reality dating show for the terminally ill sparks controversy

SEOUL – A new South Korean reality dating show, Love Against Time, featuring contestants in their 20s and 30s who have received terminal diagnoses in the past or experienced life-threatening illnesses, is drawing scrutiny over the ethics of turning such deeply personal experiences into entertainment.Broadcaster SBS is set to premiere the series on Aug 3. Details about how the format will unfold remain under wraps, but it has revealed one of its central mechanics. Each night, the cast members will exchange a self-determined amount of their limited time with one another as a way of developing romantic connections.The show’s official teasers feature cast members opening up about their experiences, with some saying they have had limited opportunities to date because potential partners were reluctant to be with someone who had been seriously ill. Others describe romance as something they once considered a luxury they could not afford.The show is directed by Lee Eun-sol, who previously helmed Fortune Tellers’ Love, a reality dating show that brought together Gen Z fortune tellers in search of romance. Actor Lee Se-young, singer Jung Yong-hwa, Seventeen’s DK and singer Yena will serve as studio hosts, providing commentary on the cast’s experiences.Public reaction has been divided. Supporters have praised the concept for creating an opportunity for people with shared experiences to meet potential partners, something they may have found difficult to do. Others have emphasised that the participants should be respected for choosing to share their stories publicly.Critics, however, have questioned the serie’s promotional strategy, which highlights the cast members’ experiences with serious illness and the limited time they may have left. The debate centres on whether the series risks turning their vulnerable circumstances into a form of entertainment and commodifying their personal struggles for the sake of a compelling show.The controversy surrounding Love Against Time comes amid a boom in reality dating programming in South Korea. The genre is relatively cost-effective to produce, with non-celebrity participants commanding lower appearance fees than established entertainers, while dating shows have continued to attract viewers at a time when romantic relationships have become increasingly difficult to pursue in everyday life.For some viewers, such programmes offer a form of second-hand participation in romance.Producers have also begun assembling casts with increasingly diverse identities and life experiences, including LGBTQ+ participants and people living with disabilities or mental health challenges.The trend reflects efforts to broaden the kinds of stories and relationships put on screen, while also raising questions about where to draw the line between meaningful representation and commercialising the personal lives of participants. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK