Pink Lie (2022)

A well-executed, tightly-knit reality show.

After completing Single’s Inferno (2021), I could not wait for another dating show to come around, and Pink Lie did not disappoint. This show is far more personal, homing in on the triumphs and tribulations of each contestant. I could not help but draw comparison to Real(L)ove (2018), which utilised a similar concept with each contestant having a dark secret that would be revealed, creating mess of prejudice within the group. However, I think that Pink Lie has mastered the ‘dark secret’ concept, concealing the contestants’ secrets removed any prejudice they may have towards each other, allowing for genuine connections to be made. The casting is very good, with four likeable hosts to share their personal opinions and funny comments, made the show very enjoyable for the viewer.

For me the soundtrack is an important component of any show that can sometimes be overlooked. Pink Lie has done an excellent job with a limited soundtrack, making the show truly memorable when compared with other reality show titles; looking at you Single’s Inferno. ‘The Moon’ by INNI gave me chills with its light, airy, and flowing piano with vocals, hinting towards the mystery of the Pink Moon. Whilst ‘Starlight’ by Shin Youme is a great piece, giving an upbeat mix when the contestants are together enjoying themselves.

Overall, I am on the edge of seat and cannot wait to see what couples are formed.

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Good concept, bad execution

The show's premise IS good, if handled well....the problem is that it wasn't.
This show infuriated me. And it all boils down to mostly the production and the choosing of the cast and their "lies".

The immense difference in how serious the lies where, was ridiculous. They basically used a very few selected members of the cast to draw attention and provocation towards the show, whilst other mostly were chosen for looks and or exposure to media.
They had their main clickbait, Hanui, and her secret revealed in the first episode. This made me as a watcher, anticipate the other members lies and thinking they would be on the same level, only to be mostly disappointed. Hanui even had a panic attack and were extremely anxious towards the end.

The show wanted to provoke and shed light to the possibility to look beyond prejudice, and for the cast to "reinvent themselves" with an possibility to start over. Only, when majority of the casts " hidden lies" are kinda the common persons problems, and in result, it fails to deliver. In all, I believe only about 3 or max 4 of the participants had a lie that I would consider on a level of usual "taboo" when dating.

It is a mature-focused show that isn't really suitable for younger adults. There's alot of context where I feel like male participants overstepped and straight up emotionally abused some participants. I would have liked to have the participants have scheduled appointments with a therapist DURING the show. Since the cameras kept rolling even as the people were fighting, no one could really stop when there was a wrongdoing and the participants doing wrong mostly just kept going with their day with a very small minded way of thinking. All in all, I felt huge red flags from a couple of people. Yes, they can edit the scenes to be more dramatic but at the end, the things said remained said and I grew to really dislike some participants. I realised that the conservative mindset of some of the participants was blatantly present and prevented them from growing mentally.

I took a break from watching the show right before the last episode, and it took me a month long break to actually watch the last episode because I felt like the production of the show failed the few participants (mostly Hanui) that had taken this as an golden opportunity to find a meaningful relationship.

The commentators, whilst repeating the same things you see and analyzing them, were a fun part towards the show, although not exactly always needed, were a good way for the show to "pause" when the scenes got heavy.

If you're looking for a good dating show, there is definitely better dating shows than this.
If you are bored and interested in the concept and execution of the show, go for it! Maybe you'll like it or maybe not :)

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