The SBS new dating reality show "Child Release Project - Residential Matchmaking," which premiered on Jan. 1 and was released on Netflix on the 4th, has drawn intense viewer interest with just its first episode and is ranking sixth on Netflix's "Today Korea TOP 10 Series."
"Residential Matchmaking" is a surreal reality dating show in which 10 single men and women who want to marry and 10 mothers who want their children to marry live together in one space for five nights and six days, "watching their child's dating up close." By adding the variable of "parents present" to the close quarters of "living together," it combines the familiar formula of dating shows with the tensions of generational conflict and family reality.
On the Jan. 1 premiere, a total of 20 cast members were revealed. In the first impression choice, the men gave Cho Eun-na-rae zero votes, and the women gave Kim Hyun-jun three votes, quickly elevating him to an early "popular man." Moon Sehoon, a Season 1 cast member of Single's Inferno on Netflix, also appeared as the final male contestant, drawing attention. Moon Sehoon said in a pre-meeting that "because of the Single's Inferno frame, dating was actually harder," and explained that he applied to Residential Matchmaking with the goal of marriage. The first episode recorded a 2.7% household rating in the Seoul metropolitan area, with a peak of 4% per minute (Nielsen Korea household ratings).
The program's greatest strength is the synergy created by the combination of two producers with contrasting characteristics. Residential Matchmaking is produced by PD Bae Jeong-hoon and directed by PD Kim Na-hyun. Bae Jeong-hoon is known as a producer of That Which Wants to Know, and Kim Na-hyun directed the Netflix dating reality Single's Inferno. Critics say the meeting of these two distinctive producers completed two pillars: "observation" and "emotion." Bae Jeong-hoon said, "Although it's a dating show, I didn't want to show only romance. The core of this program is to冷정하게 포착하는 것이 이 프로그램의 핵심" and explained, "I applied the 'truth-seeking' perspective dealt with on That Which Wants to Know to a dating show." Kim Na-hyun said, "Single's Inferno tried not to miss the moments when contestants' true feelings were revealed. Residential Matchmaking added the variable of parents, allowing for a much more three-dimensional emotional line." The pairing of the two producers shows the potential to lead social issues about family relationships and marriage beyond a simple dating show.
"Residential Matchmaking" teased a scene at the end of the first episode where relationship dynamics are shaken, increasing curiosity about the next episode. Attention is focused on what choices and twists will unfold after occupations and ages are revealed. SBS's "Child Release Project - Residential Matchmaking" episode 2 will air on the 8th (Thursday) at 9 p.m.
[Photo] "Child Release Project - Residential Matchmaking"
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