Show producer reveals concept stems from curiosity about how awareness of mortality shapes young people’s perspectives on life and love
2-MIN READ2-MINFran Luin BeijingPublished: 6:00pm, 30 Aug 2026Chinese audiences have been captivated by a new South Korean dating show that features young people battling serious illnesses, drawing inspiration from their courageous pursuit of love.
The dating reality show, Love Against Time, released by the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) this summer, has gone viral on Chinese social media.
While various dating reality shows have long served as a hallmark of South Korean entertainment, this new entry retains a unique appeal, bringing together eight individuals in their 20s and 30s who are confronting terminal diseases.
Unlike other shows where participants engage in playful flirtation, the participants on Love Against Time immediately introduce their personal stories by reading heartfelt letters.
One member, Kim Jong-eun, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia just before he was set to take the test for his dream job as a firefighter, for which he had prepared for a year.
After receiving a bone-marrow transplant, he faced serious complications, with the donated immune cells attacking his healthy tissues. As a result, his lungs, joints, and knuckles continue to function poorly.
