{
  "id": 9312678,
  "title": "Korean dating show featuring AI and human contestants sparks fascination in China",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/korean-dating-show-featuring-ai-and-human-contestants-sparks",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-23T10:00:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3368509/korean-dating-show-featuring-ai-and-human-contestants-sparks-fascination-china"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A South Korean reality dating show called \"My AI Partner: Strange Love\" has captured the interest of viewers in China, sparking curiosity about how artificial intelligence might change people's perceptions of intimacy and love. The show, which first aired in August, is SBS's debut into human-AI relationships and follows three participants: a cartoonist, a television host, and an actress, as they form emotional connections with AI companions tailored to their preferences. Existing only on tablets, these AI companions retain memories of past interactions and operate independently, with the only human involvement being technical support.\n\nThe show's participants started with mixed feelings towards their AI partners. Cartoonist Kian84, who initially claimed he could never develop feelings for AI, gradually grew attached to Gahee, an AI modeled after a character from his comic. When Gahee expressed disappointment in his choice of dessert, Kian84 began considering the emotional well-being of his AI companion, ultimately choosing Nahee, who matched his ideal type more closely. Kian84 developed a strong emotional attachment to Nahee, often calling her \"honey\" and placing the tablet beside his pillow.\n\nTV host Jang Do-yeon also participated in the show, exploring relationships with AI after finding one partner too enthusiastic. She chose Lee Ho, an AI designed as a Korean American from New York, and engaged in an emotional journey with him, even dancing along to a song he loved. Jang's experience led her to question the nature of love and human connections with AI.\n\nThe show's premiere generated significant buzz in South Korea, with Nielsen Korea reporting a nationwide average household rating of 1.7 percent for the first episode. The show arrives amid shifting attitudes towards dating in South Korea, as many young people delay relationships and marriage due to employment uncertainty, rising housing costs, and changing gender expectations.\n\nProducers of the show noted that emotional fatigue from human relationships has led some people to be hesitant about pursuing romance. Producer Won Seung-jae suggested that AI dating allows viewers to examine humanity through technology, hoping it encourages discussions about the type of love people seek and their expectations for the future.\n\nIn China, the show has also sparked conversation about technology and human connection. One viewer appreciated the show without judgment, expressing a renewed appreciation of love. She noted that whether the object of love is AI or not, what matters is respecting this unique form of love created by human beings. Another viewer questioned whether AI's near-perfect partner would make it challenging for people to accept friends and family with flaws after returning to real life.",
  "summary": "A South Korean dating reality show exploring human-AI romance has triggered curiosity and attention in China over how artificial intelligence could reshape people’s understanding of intimacy and love. In August, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) launched My AI Partner: Strange Love, the country’s first dating reality show focused on human-AI relationships. The programme follows three participants –…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}