EXchange: Another Beginning (2025)

Felt like a short slice of life dating show.

I am sorry, but if you start this show to watch some thrilling drama filled dating shows and everyone being into everyone - it’s on you and it’s your mistake, when the synopsis literally says “Centered around travel and friendships”. This is the “slice of life” version of dating shows.

It’s not really focused on romance, but it does encourage some connections when needed. It was for sure more about friendships and chilling while remembering the previous seasons. For some contestants it was about getting some closure. That said, we did get a few interesting potential future couples from it. The title is fitting though: it’s just a beginning. The show gives us the potential first step, and shows nothing else.

I liked it. Quite a lot. Since I already knew the cast, I could focus on their interactions. I liked a lot of scenes that were focused more on the friendships, rather than the flings. I got what I expected to get and what I wanted to get. Yes, I do wish the show would be a bit longer, but again - this is not really a dating show. It’s more like a special season - these are always shorter.

I also really liked how they invited couples from previous seasons to sit on the panel since they know these people better than any viewer can. Not to mention, it's great to see at least Exchange does not seem like a completely staged show with couples breaking up the moment it finishes airing, because there was nothing truly between them in the first place.

At the end of the day it’s a sweet, short, feel-good special season that is directed strictly to viewers of the previous ones. There are no big romances and dates. It’s just friends hanging out and some finding more connection with each other than others.

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