Is love blind? Well, the hit reality dating show, Love is Blind, attempts to answer that question, as it recently came out with one of the most dramatic seasons ever. From love triangles, to gossip, to its sweet sentimental moments, the show is definitely an entertaining watch. Not only is it easy to binge on Friday nights, but also the sociological aspect of the show begs interesting questions about the nature of attraction.
If you’re not familiar with the series, the premise revolves around a few days of intense speed dating without ever seeing each other. Speaking through a wall is the closest each contestant will be to one another, and not only that, but they also only meet for the first time once a contestant proposes. Crazy, right?
Going from single to engaged in less than a month must be a whirlwind of an experience, and I enjoy watching how the emotional connections evolve throughout the show. There’s always the more unfortunate route where the chemistry gradually declines the more they spend time together in “the real world,” though nonetheless, the show is an intriguing social experiment—that’s for sure!
After watching the first few seasons of Love is Blind, I was sent into a frenzy in finding another show with a similar concept. I’ve never been interested in reality dating shows like The Bachelor or Perfect Match, so I decided to check out another version of Love is Blind that’s set in Japan. Curious, I figured I was in for a lot of drama that reality television is usually known for, but instead of all the usual toxicity or over-the-top PDA, I was met with something much more genuine and emotionally striking.
Love is Blind: Japan felt like a fresh breath of air. The tone of the show was much slower-paced, as the contestants were analytical and serious about their choices. It was a true representation of a social experiment, and the conversations in the pods leaned more on the essential questions surrounding family and future ambitions. The American version also dealt with these topics (as one should when considering marriage), but most of the connections stemmed from personality compatibility and that “gut-feeling” when two people just naturally click. In Japan, the conversations seemed to reach an even deeper level of emotional connectivity; it was not superficial in the slightest, nor did anyone join the show for a stab at fame.
One of the biggest differences between the two versions were the contestants’ behaviors and etiquettes. In Japan, the contestants showed a great amount of respect for one another and didn’t cross any boundaries. For instance, almost all of the contestants avoided physical intimacy (including kissing) upon their first meetings, and even well into their honeymoon stage. Instead, there were many instances where the contestants bowed to one another or shared a quick, heartfelt embrace. The contestants’ reactions were more private and controlled, though it was still evident how deeply they cared for one another in the way they exchanged small, subtle signs of affection, which I totally gushed over. Talk about a slow burn!
One scene in particular that I thought was especially sweet was when a couple decided to read books together in comfortable silence. Parallel play isn’t something I commonly see on reality dating shows, and I thought it was a nice moment that showed how the two of them felt at ease with simply being in each other’s presence; they didn’t have to necessarily participate in the same activities together to know that they appreciated each other.
In addition, the contestants weren’t afraid to discuss the heavier subjects like finances and children right off the bat, as I remember watching many interactions operate almost like a job interview. It was especially important to the contestants their lifestyles blended well with their own personal ambitions, and if one aspect didn’t seem to work out, then that was the end of that. There wasn’t a lot of “maybe they’ll change their mind…” moments in the series, and I thought that was a refreshing perspective I hadn’t seen on reality TV in a while.
It was especially important that the contestants’ families were on board with the marriage: it was almost mandatory. In the American version, family approval was important, but there were many instances that the couples would get married anyway. In Japan, one needed to be accepted, and if not, then marriage wouldn’t work. It was definitely more strict and formal, but it was interesting to watch how different the Japanese dating customs were to the American version.
All in all, Love is Blind: Japan was incredibly interesting to watch, and I genuinely felt so invested in the contestants’ lives. I remember watching the last few episodes of the series and thinking, “Wow, I’ve never felt this happy for any TV relationship before.” This show gave so much insight into the Japanese perspective of love and dating, and it was nice to compare the cultural differences between the American and Japanese versions of the show.
So, once you’re all done with Love is Blind‘s new season, please make sure you check out this series, ASAP!