Why young Chinese viewers are increasingly drawn to dating shows featuring older contestants

Young viewers in China are increasingly drawn to dating reality shows, which feature older contestants. Since 2018, China has embraced the genre, influenced by South Korean formats. -- Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

BEIJING (SCMP): A new Chinese dating reality show that features a group of single people aged about 50 has become a nationwide hit, sparking discussions about love and desire in the lives of the middle-aged and elderly.

The show by tech giant Tencent’s WeTV, Forever by Your Side, was first aired in December 2025 and was branded as “mature singles braving the world of love”.