"Nineteen to Twenty" on Netflix Review: An Alright Coming-of-Age Dating Show

Nineteen to Twenty, a Korean Netflix original series follows a group of 19-year-olds as they explore their feelings and relationships in the transition to adulthood. This show isn't so great but you may want to give it a try, and here’s why:

The premise

The show has a simple but quite intriguing premise: 19-year-olds, boys and four girls, are selected to participate in a two-week dating experiment. 

The first week, they attend school as usual, but with some dating restrictions imposed by the show. In the second week, they move into a glass house, where they have no more dating restrictions and can confess their feelings to their crushes. 

The show also features four hosts, who comment on the events and share their insights and opinions.

The cast

They're ordinary teenagers who have different personalities, backgrounds, and experiences (and they're all good-looking). They are pretty relatable, authentic, and charming in their own ways. Some of them are shy and introverted, some are outgoing and confident, some are playful and humorous, and some are serious and mature. 

The romance in Nineteen to Twenty

The romance doesn't feel too forced or fabricated, but quite (not entirely) natural and genuine. The show lets participants express their feelings and emotions freely and honestly. It captures the innocence, excitement, nervousness, and awkwardness of teenage love. 

It also shows the challenges, conflicts, and misunderstandings that arise from dating. This reality show doesn't shy away from depicting the reality of rejection, heartbreak, and jealousy. But it also celebrates the joy, happiness, and growth that come from love.

The comparison

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Nineteen to Twenty is not exactly a dating show, but it has some similarities with other shows in the genre. For example, it has a similar format to Single’s Inferno, another Korean show where a panel of four commentators watch along with the viewers and offer their commentary on the contestants. Still, Nineteen to Twenty is less dramatic than Single’s Inferno, which involves more flirting and competition among the participants. 

Another show that Nineteen to Twenty might remind you of is Too Hot To Handle, where the contestants are forbidden from having any physical contact with each other. That said, Nineteen to Twenty is more family-friendly than Too Hot To Handle, which features more sexual tension and temptation among those who join the show.

My take

Nineteen to Twenty is a refreshing and relatable dating show that will make you feel nostalgic for your own teenage years. It may make you laugh, cry, smile, and sigh as you watch the participants go through their dating journey. Plus, you're likely to root for them, empathize with them, and learn from them along the way. 

But I think the pacing of the show is quite slow at times, especially in the first episode where the participants are nervous and hesitant to open up. This might make some viewers lose interest or get bored easily.

Besides, Nineteen to Twenty isn't exciting or captivating as a reality show. It lacks the fire and drama that other Netflix shows have. It didn't tend to keep me hooked or invested in what will happen next.

The cast isn't so interesting or appealing. They don't have much charisma or personality that makes them stand out or memorable.

Lastly, it's not a creative or original show. It doesn't have a unique twist or concept that makes it different from other shows in the genre.