Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020

This was the first ever season I watched of Terrace House. It's a rabbit hole, you keep watching and watching because you are curious how their stories develop and it's unscripted. Until I realised what is being filmed is highly curated by the producers, they decide what is being showed. Like Risako and Haruka are friends in real life (they mentioned it on Instagram), but the producers didn't show those scenes, only drama and fight scenes. And 1 episode = 1 week that consists of +/- 20 minutes of filmed content, so what's being shown is not accurate at all, there were many plot holes throughout the show.

Also a few cast members went on the show to only help their careers and not find love. It was clear as day. I watched this show until Hana Kimura came around, who was really after love. What a bright lady. I went on the internet and by surprise saw that she was found dead in her house at the end of May 2020 due to cyber bullying and her skin color following a fight with a cast member which apparently was shown on the show. It saddens me and I was so shocked. Also, the panel that gives commentary on the show is sometimes funny, but there are boundries. They went overboard many times. In the end the panel in the show is highly toxic and influence the public opinion. I will not continue to watch this show anymore. I will not support the toxicity of this show. I recommend to not waist your time and move on to another series.

This is actually quite a good reality-TV series, despite that it feels somewhat scripted at times. The six housemates are interesting and beautiful people, and they are - surprise! - kind to each other (for the most part). So no such drama that usually is the staple of other similar shows. Instead, here you get decent people trying to navigate their careers and potentially their love lives.

Is this boring? Not at all. Watching 20-somethings (and one in his early 30s) living and interacting maturely and generously to each other is rather a refreshing respite from the standard fare of drama queens and hateful selfishness often seen in this genre. The scenes outside the house add to good story-telling, as do the often hilarious commentaries from the six "hosts".

If, like me, you didn't really take to the earlier versions of the series, do give this one a try.

A welcome break from reality shows where people are purposely pitted against each other for the enhanced drama that sells so well in the West. Here, ultra-polite Japanese kids try to find a way to live with each other, obeying the many gentle social norms so common in Japan and so bizarre in the West. Since there is no script, you're left to focus on the little intricacies of everyday living and a look, a word, a sigh acquires much deeper meaning. They are all, in a way, trying to find love, or at least a little bit of TV limelight. The dating connections are so painfully sloooooow, but that's that makes them interesting to watch. Also, there is a panel of the funniest hosts who comment on the going ons once or twice every episode. They bring in a needed break from the meditative pace cracking the craziest jokes, directly lambasting the unfavourited participants. All in all, a brilliant way to get acquainted a bit more with Japanese culture and what makes it so fascinating.

Far better than any western reality show. Watched all seasons thoroughly entertained.

It has been a while since I last watched the series, but from what I recall, it was exceptionally well done. The cast featured intriguing individuals, entertaining characters, and plenty of drama. However, the abrupt ending left me shocked. Upon further investigation, I discovered that one of the cast members had tragically committed suicide due to online harassment.

This was deeply disturbing, especially as she was one of my favorite participants. I was heartbroken when I learned what had transpired, and what's more frustrating is that Netflix remained silent, abruptly ending the series without addressing the situation. They should have honored her memory, giving her the recognition and respect she deserved, rather than sweeping this tragedy, a consequence of relentless bullying, under the rug. Rest in peace, dear Hana Kimura. ♥