I watch reality TV and this one Netflix show is my new obsession.

I am a reality TV fiend. Let's start there.

Married at First Sight, The Ultimatum, Selling Sunset, Too Hot To Handle, you name it. I absolutely eat up every moment of the over-the-top drama and anxiety-provoking fights. I love the messy relationships and the saucy moments. I'm here for it all.

But just like I love reality TV, I'm also a romantic at heart. I love a good slow-burn romance where the tension builds so gradually you can cut it with a knife. And it wasn't until I found this new reality show on Netflix that I realised what my reality TV lineup had been missing: wholesome romance.

Single's Inferno is a Korean reality dating show that feels a bit like a cross between Survivor (a very tame version, I'll admit) and Love Island (again, a tame version). The show has become such a phenomenon that it's been breaking records for four seasons straight, and I can totally see why.

Watch the trailer for Single's Inferno season 4. Article continues after video.

The premise? The show follows twelve attractive singles stranded on a deserted island, dubbed 'Inferno,' where they must find romantic connections without revealing their age or occupation. Contestants live in basic conditions, preparing their own food and collecting water, while participating in challenges to win dates.

The ultimate goal? To escape the island by forming a successful couple, which earns them a night in 'Paradise' — a luxurious hotel where they can finally share personal details about themselves and get to know each other.

Contestants must find romantic connections without revealing their age or occupation. Image: Netflix.

Now, while the premise is obviously intriguing and very fun, what makes the show, so compelling is not necessarily the drama, but the slow burn romance that unfolds naturally before our eyes.

As a Pride and Prejudice fan, I truly feel that the slow burn romance is a dying trope. Now… by no means am I comparing a reality dating show to Jane Austen, I'm not that delulu… but why don't more reality shows take advantage of this trope?

The iconic swimming pool scenes when couples go to 'Paradise'. Image: Netflix.

While we're used to reality TV relationships moving at the speed of light from the get-go, there's something so satisfying about watching a relationship gradually progress. When a relationship builds so gently that even holding hands or a glance demands a gasp from the viewers. And that tension, in my humble opinion, is what reality TV is missing.

But that's not to say that Single's Inferno doesn't bring the drama. Trust me, things get heated, and the tension runs high, especially during those crucial Paradise date selections. When someone you thought was a sure couple suddenly picks someone else, the subtle looks of disappointment and shock are more devastating.

The hand holding… I can't! Image: Netflix.

I will preface this by saying, I am not above the low blows and chaotic drama of reality TV. Not at all. But I will say, what makes this drama quite unique is how... dignified it all feels?

There's no screaming matches or dramatic exits. Instead, you get meaningful glances across the beach, subtle competition over serving someone dinner, and the excruciating tension of watching someone try to work up the courage to sit next to their love interest. It's like watching a K-drama come to life, except none of feels scripted.

But wait, there's more. What truly sets this show apart is its brilliant panel of commentators (not uncommon for Asian reality shows but an absolute game-changer for any show), who all sit there and basically say exactly what we're all thinking. They're essentially like your best friends watching along with you, dissecting every lingering glance and subtle gesture with the same enthusiasm you would over a bottle of wine and takeaway.

My face when someone makes the wrong pick. Image: Netflix.

The show has been such a hit that it's now in its fourth season, proving that sometimes less really is more when it comes to dating shows. No need for manufactured drama when you can have authentic connections building right before your eyes.

So if you're tired of the same old dating show formula and ready for something that'll make your romantic heart flutter, Single's Inferno might just be your next obsession. Trust this reality TV connoisseur — it's worth every minute.

Feature Image: Netflix.