"We got Married."

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to watch a Korean Reality TV show online, "We Got Married." I was watching the show for background info. on an article I was writing about reality television, but as I began watching the show (with english subtitles), I got sucked in quickly. Next thing I knew I was sitting there at the computer for a good 4-6 hours streaming each episode. The show is addictive.

The show is based on Korean celebrities who are paired up by the producers of the show and have to pretend to be married while supplied a budget for food and all of their newlywed purchases. There is no competition or goal like most Western reality shows, but celebrities are interviewed between the filming of episodes to disclose their private feelings about their partner, and in the show's closing each shares if they would want to stay with their fictious wife/hubby. Couples watch the showing of episodes each week in a studio with two hosts, giving their feedback, as the season progresses.

The show opens on a holiday, similar to the Western "Valentine's Day" where each couple begins buying furniture and unpacking in their new apartment. The viewer is quickly sucked in by the endearing couple Solbi and Andy Shinhwa. You a get a warm and fuzzy feeling watching the cute couple. Shinhwa is a musician and Solbi secretly discloses that she has "admired" Andy for years. It is quickly evident that she carries a very flirty relationship with him as they approach their new apartment and take the elevator before arriving.

Like many Korean shows, the season is long. It continues on with several new seasons, each with new couples. I jumped into the 18th episode to see how things were coming along, but it's easy to sit there and watch each episode, waiting for things to progress. Not much had changed between the couples several weeks later (who by the way I found out are only filmed living together about a few days every couple weeks. This sort of killed the illusion a bit, but it's still an endearing show).

Solbi (cute little long-haired blonde) and Andy Shinhwa-handsome musician with penetrating brown eyes, Blonde hair pulled in a pony tail, but when he dies his hair black and cuts it a couple episodes after the pilot...no, the cuteness is gone :(
Solbi and Andy Shinhwa: the adorable "high school" couple, flirty, playful, with childish puppy-love.

In Young and Crown Jay: the conflicted, on the verge of divorce couple.
In Young is a drama queen with a "China doll" cute face and a bob hair cutt. Crown Jay is a famous wrapper who throws in the occasional english phrases, "C'mon Baby" he tells In Young. She's very high maintenance, constantly demanding Crown Jay buy her things and criticizing Crown Jay's actions. He plays a long, broaching her ego and trying to trick her into the doing the dishes for just once.

Alex (singer) and Siney (model): the "serious," gentle, romantic couple. At first appearance, they are shown walking slowly together, trying to make conversation shyly with an instant sign of attraction and Alex's "this is awkward." Alex and Siney become progressively romantic, making goo-goo eyes at one another (and humorously all the other couples live in an apartment, but they live in a mansion together). They carry an intimate conversation and she reveals that she has had her heart broken before and feels it's hard for her to open up again. Still, her gaze reveals an obvious interest in Alex. Alex sings her a lullaby warming her heart, bakes her a chocolate cake and says, "Even though we're a matched couple, I think it could make a good destiny," he tells her.

Saori and Hyung Don: the "comedic couple," the comedic relief of the show. Hyung Don may not have good looks or charm like the other guys, but he's a fat, Garfield like character, who is a very funny guy. He makes humorous comments, but has difficulty showing affection to Saori. He's embarassed to show her any affections, so he eats and sleeps all day. Saori makes a real effort to connect with him, cooking him a birthday meal, trying to get him to exercise with her and convincing him to go rollerblading with her after much begging. Neither one of them know how to rollerblade, and he stumbly rollerblades off to go play basketball without her.

Watch the show!!! : http://www.mysoju.com/we-got-married/