'I-Land' producer returns with new season of dating show 'Love Catcher'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Mon, October 2, 2023 | 10:54

Shows & Dramas

'I-Land' producer returns with new season of dating show 'Love Catcher'

Posted : 2021-11-19 17:29

Updated : 2021-11-20 09:04

The hosts of dating reality show "Love Catcher," from left, Sunny, Jang Do-yeon, producer Jeong Min-seok, Son Ho-jun, and Miyeon, pose for pictures during the show's online press conference, Friday. Courtesy of TVING

By Lee Gyu-lee

Producer Jeong Min-seok, who co-produced the Emmy Awards-nominated audition show, "I-Land," is set to showcase a new dating game show "Love Catcher in Seoul," Friday.

The show is a newly revised season of the reality show, "Love Catcher," which aired two seasons on CJ ENM's network, Mnet, from 2018 to 2019.

The show is getting a makeover after being picked up by the media giant's streaming service TVING as its original.

"It's been two years since the last season. I've felt so much affection towards 'Love Catcher.' So I've been looking for ways to keep this a long-running show," the producer, who has led the show since the first season, said during the online press conference of the show, Friday. "So I turned this show into a new series that will cover love and relationships in various cities around the world. And the start of that series will be Seoul."

He added that when the situation with the coronavirus pandemic eases, he hopes to produce the show in different cities abroad, such as New York and Paris.

The game show invites a group of men and women to mingle and spend days together, with the choice to play the game to find true love ― as "love catchers" ― or to play the game for prize money ― as "money catchers."

While some participants are only pretending to be love catchers, those who are money catchers need to win the heart of a real love catcher for a chance to win the prize money.

To make it through the series, participants must determine who is in it for the love and who is in it for the money

The poster for the show / Courtesy of TVING

The producer hinted that the new season will be much more fast-paced than the previous seasons. "What makes 'Love Catcher' fascinating is the guessing game and the twists. And this season has a mind-blowing twist," he said.

Five hosts ― comedian Jang Do-yeon, actor Son Ho-jun, singers Sunny, Loco and Miyeon ― will act as commentators to join the viewers in guessing the identities of the participants.

Jang, who has been with the show as the host since the first season, said the biggest difference of this season is its backdrop of Seoul.

"This time, the show also offers the beautiful scenery of Seoul, like the city's night views. Viewers will be awed and surprised to see some of the places around the city. One of the charms of this show is that it helps us find the magic of the city," she said.

She added that "Love Catcher" is a different kind of dating show. "This is a show for those who are looking for something new in dating shows. The five of us were on the edge of our seats while watching the participants interact, and I'm sure viewers will feel the same way," she said.

Son emphasized that the show will feature romantic scenery around Seoul, which acts as the perfect backdrop for the show.

"Especially during this time, it's hard to get around to many places. So by watching this show, you will be able to travel vicariously around Seoul's beautiful spots," he said. "The show will show both the sweetness and the bitterness that love can arouse. I hope people will enjoy it."

"Love Catcher in Seoul" will be broadcast every Friday at 4 p.m. on TVING.

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr