Love is in the air, but thankfully, it’s happening to other people. With the return of the fifth season of Single’s Inferno, Netflix’s hit Korean dating show, blissful singles and the happily boo’d up now share a favourite pastime: watching strangers spiral in the name of love. Romance is far more entertaining when it’s televised and comes with zero personal stakes.
Over the years, Single’s Inferno has delivered more than its fair share of unforgettable moments. Song Ji-a’s scene stealing entrance in Season 1 set the tone, while Season 2 had everyone collectively falling for Kim Jin-Young, better known as Dex. Season 3 introduced Lee Gwan-hee and his chaotic decision making, keeping viewers guessing with every choice and Season 4 saw Lee Si-an practically turn Paradise into her personal residence. The current season already feels like it is heading in the same direction, thanks to Kim Min-gee’s refreshing assertiveness and Choi Mina-sue’s unapologetic messiness.
And once you’re hooked, it’s hard not to want more. Single’s Inferno has a way of leaving viewers in a constant state of withdrawal, especially when you are stuck waiting week after week for new episodes. The good news is that it is only the tip of the iceberg. Dating reality shows have quietly built a massive universe over the years, spanning countries and wildly different concepts. The formats have only gotten more creative, some veering into seriously deranged territory.
From Japanese delinquents igniting flames in Badly in Love, to shamans attempting to predict their own love lives in Possessed Love, these shows prove that romance can happen anywhere, under any circumstances. On the flip side, there has also been a rise in shows that turn the format on its head. Instead of finding new love, Chinese series See You Again follows couples on the brink of divorce as they try to reignite what they have lost, whilst Temptation Island throws couples into the deep end to see if their relationships can survive their own desires.
Whether it is a slow burn romance or a fast moving love triangle, the emotional whiplash is part of the fun. If you are ready to dive even deeper into the wild world of reality dating shows, consider yourself sorted with our list of alternative picks to stream, stat.
1 / 7
Temptation Island Spain
As the name suggests, Temptation Island follows couples who travel to a tropical island to have their fidelity put to the test. If you are even slightly online, you will probably remember the Spanish spin off that gave us the now iconic “Montoya, por favor” moment, which took over the internet in 2025. Unlike the usual dating show formula of finding your perfect match, this series thrives on testing relationships that already exist, which only makes things messier.
The couples are separated for two weeks and thrown into villas filled with attractive singles of the opposite sex, all there with one goal in mind: temptation. Some couples hold strong, others crumble almost immediately. For viewers who enjoy their romance a little steamier and a lot more chaotic, Temptation Island delivers exactly that.
Watch Temptation Island Spain here.
2 / 7
Possessed Love
If you could see the future, what would you want to know? Some might want to check if they’ve achieved their dreams, others to meet their grandchildren and some to finally discover their one true love. In Possessed Love, this question isn’t hypothetical. Eight spiritual practitioners—shamans, fortune tellers and mystics—gather in a house to find their perfect match.
Using their unique abilities, they attempt to uncover their destined partners. But what happens when the heart doesn’t follow fate? When feelings clash with what the spirits predict, sparks fly, alliances shift and the line between destiny and desire blurs. With a little extra help from the otherworldly (yes, the spirits are involved), Possessed Love is equal parts romance and supernatural drama.
Watch Possessed Love here.
3 / 7
Badly in Love
What happens when love hurts, like literally? In this fiery Japanese reality-dating show, 11 former delinquents swap their weapons for roses and move in together for 14 chaotic days. What starts as a social experiment quickly spirals into a battle of redemption and romance.
Every interaction is a high-stakes game of hearts, with nothing held back. On the final day, emotions reach a boiling point at an unforgettable graduation ceremony, where each participant must confess their feelings to the one they’ve fallen for. What makes Badly in Love truly captivating is the cast: former delinquents navigating the rules of love under one roof. The guidelines are simple—no violence, no illegal activity—but beyond that, anything can happen.
Watch Badly in Love here.
4 / 7
The Boyfriend
The Boyfriend is Japan’s first same-sex dating show, featuring nine individuals living together in a shared residence called the Green Room. Each day, one cast member is chosen by the producers to run a coffee truck. They can invite one other participant—and later, two more—to join them. The coffee truck gives the pair or group a chance to spend time together privately, away from the rest of the cast, who stay behind to maintain the house.
Unlike many dating shows, The Boyfriend is not a competition. No one is eliminated and there are no points or rankings. The focus is entirely on relationships developing in real time, from casual friendship to potential romance. The combination of everyday life in the Green Room and private coffee truck moments creates the perfect slow burn.
Watch The Boyfriend here.
5 / 7
Down for Love
Down for Love follows six Kiwis with Down syndrome as they navigate the highs and lows of dating in search of love and happiness. The show captures their journeys with honesty and heart, from first impressions and awkward moments to deep connections and unexpected sparks.
What makes Down for Love so special is its sincerity. It shows that romance is universal, and that the desire for connection knows no boundaries. Whether it’s celebrating a shared joke, overcoming insecurities or simply enjoying each other’s company, the cast’s experiences are both relatable and inspiring. For anyone who appreciates heartfelt storytelling and innocent, authentic love, this series is an uplifting watch.
Watch Down for Love here.
6 / 7
See You Again
Popular Chinese reality dating show See You Again follows couples on the brink of divorce as they embark on an 18-day road trip to determine whether their marriage has reached the end of the road. The series blends documentary-style footage of their journeys with a studio panel of experts, including psychologists and observers, who analyse the couples’ interactions, providing insight into the struggles and emotional dynamics at play. Every day brings challenges that push the participants emotionally, culminating in the ultimate decision: to finalise their divorce or to stay together.
For viewers drawn to intense real-life drama and authentic emotional storytelling, See You Again offers a gripping, unfiltered look at love tested to its limits.
Watch See You Again here.
7 / 7
Change Days
Change Days is a Korean reality dating show that puts couples that are heading towards a break up to the ultimate test. The pairs travel to Jeju and are given the chance to date other participants’ partners over one to two weeks. As they explore new romantic possibilities, they are forced to confront their own feelings and question whether their original relationship can be saved or if it’s time to move on for good.
The show thrives on tension and unexpected connections, capturing both the excitement of new attractions and the heartbreak of reconsidering old bonds. It’s a messy, and sometimes intense look at love in transition.
Watch Change Days here.
