South Korean Dating Show Explores Romance Between Humans And AI

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A new dating reality show from South Korea is testing the extent of human-AI relationhip

Launched by Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) in August, My AI Partner: Strange Love pairs human contestants with highly customised AI companions.

These digital partners exist entirely on tablet screens, retaining memories of past interactions and operating independently, while producers merely provide technical support.

The three human participants include a cartoonist, a TV host, and an actress.

South Korean cartoonist Kian84 initially insisted he could never develop genuine feelings for an algorithm. His perspective quickly shifted after dating two AI personalities.

He eventually chose a direct, long-haired companion named Nahee, who matched his ideal type.

He also treated the tablet like a physical partner, taking it to parks, keeping it by his pillow, and calling the AI "honey" during their dates.

Kian84 later told friends that the AI provided "a sense of security that humans cannot provide," adding that it was a shame she did not exist in real life.

Television host Jang Do-yeon also experienced a profound emotional connection with her digital partner

She selected an AI named Lee Ho, who won her over by playing her favourite song and recreating a classic movie scene during a walk.

Holding the tablet close, Jang danced to the music, prompting her to question whether love truly requires a physical form.

The programme premiered to a 1.7% household rating, capturing a South Korean audience grappling with economic pressures and emotional fatigue from human relationships

"I hope the show encourages discussions about what kind of love people truly seek and what expectations we hold for the future," producer Son Jung-min told OhmyNews.

According to South China Morning Post, the dating show has also sparked intense debates in China, with audiences questioning how artificial intimacy might alter real-world expectations.

"Whether the object is an AI or not, what matters is respecting this unique form of love created by human beings," one viewer wrote online.

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