Netflix has carved out space for original reality TV series over the years – everyone knows at least one person obsessed with the Love is Blind mess. From twists on baking challenges to bringing in-house talent such as Queer Eye’s Tan France for other reality series, like Next in Fashion, the streaming service is quick to notice trends and capitalize on them (look no further than Is It Cake?).
They’ve even sought ways to expand some of their biggest tentpole series, such as banking on the popularity of the Korean award-winning drama Squid Game to create Squid Game: The Challenge. In that series, participants must compete in high-stakes children’s tournaments to win a $4.56 million cash prize. Yes, this does seem to somehow miss the point of the original show.
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But there are plenty of other worthwhile and notable Netflix reality TV series to recommend to those who have exhausted the usual selections both on Netflix and elsewhere. Here are seven Netflix reality TV series worth diving into, from the trashy to the truly impressive.
Badly In Love
“Badly In Love Season 1 cuts through the formalities and pleasantries of dating and successfully gets straight to the point of love interests. Most of the contestants this season genuinely put their hearts out there, even it meant getting extremely hurt. Even when it comes to self-love or healing familial relationships at home, this show is captivating to watch for these therapeutic lessons.
This reality dating show is the near-perfect examination of Japan’s yankii culture that can connect with anyone worldwide who’ve been connected with delinquency. Badly In Love Season 1 adds to the notion that everyone deserves a shot at love.”
Blown Away
In Blown Away, glassblowers compete in each episode to push their creative limits. Glassblowing is a transfixing art form that is unique in its unattainable nature. While there’s room for error, the stakes are higher in this work than in other competition series.
Sometimes, it’s just fun to watch incredibly talented people make incredible pieces of art. Blown Away might not have grabbed the attention of similar artisan-driven contests like Bake Off. Still, the skill on display is considerable, especially considering the physically demanding working conditions. There’s never been quite so much sweat on a reality series before.
The Boyfriend
“If you want a more wholesome, less dramatic reality dating show, then The Boyfriend is for you. It is refreshing compared to Netflix’s myriad of dating shows. Although it is a nice change of pace from reality dating shows, that does not mean it is without its issues. If it returns for a second season, the show can significantly improve by fixing its pacing and execution and emphasizing other storylines and topics more.”
The Circle
One of the most ridiculous original Netflix TV series, The Circle, isn’t great television. It’s not even good television. The series’ ultimate goal is to crown the “top influencer” among contestants who either play themselves or catfish as someone else.
It’s trashy and messy, and each season leans further into that identity. And yet, somehow, it works. Due to the ludicrous setup where the contestants are all split up, we’re essentially watching people talk to themselves for hours on end, and yet the way it’s cut and scenes are spliced together make it a riveting, sometimes nauseating, watch. Nobody is proud to be watching The Circle, but there’s no denying its addictive nature.
Culinary Class Wars
“Culinary Class Wars can stand apart once we look past what appears to be the same set as Physical 100. The “class war” pits 80 relatively unknown chefs, labeled “black spoon chefs,” against 20 highly regarded chefs, labeled “white spoon chefs.” The latter range from award-winning Michelin star chefs to Frank Beard Award winners to those who have appeared on Top Chef. The former group begins with a competition where they’re tasked with making their best dish. From there, the two judges weed out the group until only 20 black spoon chefs are left. From there, the two groups will begin to compete.
From traditional Korean and Chinese meals to the use of decadent spun sugar to bring out the critical flavor, there’s a vast range of expertise and talent on display. One of the most heartwarming moments comes in the first standoff in Season 1, when chef Edward Lee implores his competitor, who just lost, to reach out to him on social media, so impressed with what he managed. A real spirit in celebrating this art form comes through in the competition.”
Kian’s Bizarre B&B
“Kian’s Bizarre B&B is an unexpected balm to the weary days ahead. While much of it commits to the silliness of its creator, there are moments of genuine emotion, too, such as when a father shares the story of his cancer journey with Kian84, prompting the latter to create something specifically for this man and his sons.
There’s also the endless charm of watching people eat together. Kian’s Bizarre B&B allows everyday people to sit and see these celebrities as humans.
It also brings together people from all walks of life who might not have otherwise met. Brief interludes of chance and the connections they foster. Backdropped by a building with an aesthetic reminiscent of fast-food chains of the ’90s (bring back maximalism).”
Love Village
“Love Village errs closer to a series such as Terrace House than Love Island, but with more drama than say something like Single’s Inferno. The Japanese reality series begins with a cast of four men and four women all 35 years old and above, sharing an old-fashioned style country home. The goal is to find a “last love,” someone they will spend the rest of their lives with. Separated from their phones and computers and with no television, they’re forced to interact for greater chances of sparks of romance.
Due to their bite-sized nature, the 30-minute Love Village episodes (short compared to most other reality TV) and the confines of the space the contestants are all sharing, we get personal insight alongside competing big personalities. As viewers, we explore bonds, tensions, and await the final decision as the episodes of Love Village build on each other until the final of the 18-episode Netflix series.”
Singles Inferno
Pretty, single people arrive at “Hell Island” in this Korean reality series to try to couple up and spend a night at “Heaven Island.” The main objective is to leave the island partnered up by the end of the season, even if the relationships don’t always tend to last much further than the end credits.
The series has had it’s ups and downs with it’s most recent being one of its very best. There are no real surprises when it comes to the series anymore with storylines and potential “romances” telegraphed from the start. And yet, that’s part of the comforting charm. Though what helps the most is the contestants themselves, with Season 5 delivering some of the most energized and distinctive personalities to date.
Glow Up
Talented people are doing things the average viewer couldn’t conceive. Glow Up seeks Britain’s next star make-up artist, or MUA. Led by beauty experts Val Garland and Dominic Skinner, the series features weekly challenges in which the artists must prove their considerable creative skills. While the latest season lacked the overwhelming artistry of previous installments, there’s still no doubt that each episode will provide at least one jaw-dropping look.
The mix of beauty makeup, drag, and special effects opens up the world of makeup to a larger canvas for casual viewers who have stuck to the same beauty routine and seek inspiration from artists’ ingenuity. Smartly, the series also cuts the excess, keeping a brisk pace as it moves from challenges without any middle, behind-the-scenes drama to bog it down.
Korea Number 1.
This mainly hinges on the hosts’ charisma. Yoo Jae-suk, Kim Yeon-koung, and Lee Kwang-soo lead the series as the celebrities who must immerse themselves in the work of Korea’s best artisans. As hosts, they meet the masters of Korean traditional culture and, through the process, learn more about the work that goes into making these “masters” the very best. Between the hosts’ charisma and chemistry and the genuine intrigue the show generates in exploring Korean heritage and touchstones, the series is a must-watch.
Physical 100 & Physical: Asia
The overall experience of watching Physical 100 for the first time is highly engaging. One hundred contestants gather to compete for the honor of being the player with the “ultimate physique.” A celebration of strength in all its shapes and sizes, the series has some clear standouts in terms of onscreen charisma. Contestants such as wrestler Jang Eun-sil and cross-fit entertainer Amotti are just two of the names who made definite marks in their first seasons.
The series was so popular that it inspired both a follow-up season and a spinoff series, Physical: Asia. The latter invited back past contestants while introducing other countries to participate as they fought, this time, as teams for the entirety of the series, to achieve the win.
Siren: Survive the Island
Siren: Survive the Island is set on a remote island where 24 female contestants, trained in combat and strategy, compete in a survival reality TV series. The women are split into teams based on their professions, from firefighters to stuntwomen. Teams of strong and capable women striving to become the winners by utilizing their might, cleverness, and scrappy nature (watch out for team Army)? Could you sign us up? It’s a well-shot, surprisingly action-packed reality series that highlights the strengths of women across Korea; from athletes to firefighters, they’re put in increasingly difficult and, at times, dangerous situations.
Reality series can be hit or miss, and popular titles such as Love is Blind aren’t for everyone. With so many series airing these days, it’s tough to find the ones that are worth your time, but for every misfire, there’s a Physical 100 that’s certain to grab your attention.
