Get ready to explore the fascinating world of international reality TV, where cultures and customs come alive in captivating shows like Single’s Inferno, Australian Survivor, and Love Is Blind Sweden.
International Reality TV: A Window into Different Worldviews
While scripted television may not be at its prime anymore, reality television is—and international reality TV is having a moment.
The Rise of International Reality TV
At the 2020 Golden Globes, director Bong Joon Ho accepted the Best Foreign Language Film award for ‘Parasite,’ which also won Best Picture at The Oscars that year. In his acceptance speech, he famously said, “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” This quote highlights the growing popularity of international reality TV and its ability to introduce viewers to different worldviews and cultures.
South Korean film director and screenwriter Bong Joon Ho is known for his critically acclaimed films.
His notable works include 'The Host' (2006), a monster horror film set in Seoul, and 'Mother' (2009), a crime drama about a mother's quest to clear her son's name.
Bong also directed 'Snowpiercer' (2013), a science fiction action film, and 'Okja' (2017), an adventure comedy-drama about a young girl and her giant pig-like creature.
His 2020 film 'Parasite' won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
International Reality TV: A Window into Our Society
To many, reality television is a waste of time, but to others, it’s an anthropological window into our society. International reality TV can provide a unique perspective on how people live, work, and interact with each other in different parts of the world. Shows like Single’s Inferno, Australian Survivor, Love Is Blind Sweden, and Old Enough! offer a glimpse into the cultures and customs of various countries.
Top 5 International Reality Shows to Get You Started
1. Single’s Inferno (South Korea)
In this South Korean dating show, contestants are stranded on an inhospitable island where they are forbidden from revealing their ages or jobs. However, they can win overnight dates to “Paradise,” an upscale resort, by winning physical challenges. The show employs a panel of hosts who watch the participants alongside viewers and commentate on the drama.
Single's Inferno is a popular South Korean reality TV show that features contestants from diverse backgrounds living together on a deserted island.
The concept revolves around survival, where contestants must work together to build shelter and gather food while competing against each other for a chance at winning the grand prize of $1 million.
The twist lies in the fact that participants are unaware of the true purpose of the show until they arrive on the island, adding an element of psychological manipulation.
Where to Watch: Netflix
2. Australian Survivor (Australia)
Based on the Swedish television series Expedition Robinson, Australian Survivor is one of the U.S.’s longest-running reality TV shows. The premise is simple: Participants stranded on an island compete in challenges for prizes and immunity while slowly voting each other off the game until there is a winner.
Where to Start: Season 5 or 8
Where to Watch: Unfortunately, you’ll need a VPN to watch in the U.S.
3. Love Is Blind Sweden (Sweden)
If you watch dating shows, chances are, you’ve watched Love Is Blind. Netflix’s standout reality show employs a unique gimmick: Contestants go on dozens of dates without seeing each other. After about a week, they get engaged, sight unseen, to their chosen partner and have roughly a month to decide if they want to follow through with the wedding.
Love Is Blind is a reality TV show where couples meet and get engaged without seeing each other.
The concept is based on the idea that love should be about more than physical appearance.
The show's format involves contestants living in separate pods, interacting with each other through walls, to build emotional connections.
Once engaged, they meet face-to-face and plan their wedding.
The show explores whether true 'love' can exist without visual attraction.
Where to Watch: Netflix
4. Love Is Blind Japan (Japan)
Love Is Blind Japan is a quieter, more introspective show that explores social taboos in Japan—like tattoos, divorce, and age gaps—with grace and thoughtfulness. Unlike other versions of the series, which hinge on dramatic confrontations and badly-behaved contestants to keep audiences engaged, Love Is Blind Japan is a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of Japanese culture.
Where to Watch: Netflix
5. Old Enough! (Japan)
Old Enough! is a different kind of reality show — one with a ton of heart. Airing since 1991, the Japanese series follows children between the ages of 1 and 6 on simple errands. The show has been airing for so long that a former participant sent their own child on an errand for the show.
Where to Watch: Netflix
- observer.com | Welcome to the Golden Age of International Reality TV
