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Women who are single and proud of it
By Han Eun-jung
April 11, 2004
A spin-off of the immensely popular American hit television series ''Sex and
the City'' has hit local TV in a reality show format.
Loosely fit over the ''Sex and the City'' outfit, local cable network On
Style's ''Singles in Seoul'' follows the everyday life of four single,
successful career women as they talk about work, dating, and the difficulties
they face as women in South Korean society
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To the local single woman, approaching thirty was, and to some, still is, as
dreaded as turning the big four-zero. Surpass the thirty mark unmarried means
being pitied and looked upon by family and friends as a flawed creature.
However, times are changing and living as a single woman is not something to be
ashamed about anymore. Marriage has become a mere option to many whereas being
successful at the workplace is something more women aspire for.
Director Kim Je-hyun at On Style linked the ever-changing lifestyles of the
younger generation with the popularity of ''Sex and the City.''
''The honest look `Sex and the City' took of beautiful single women, successful
in their own specialized fields, is what appealed to local audiences,'' Kim
said. ''What we wanted to do in comparison was capture the lifestyles and
values of South Korean women through a reality program.
The gang consists of a 33-year-old fashion magazine writer, dubbed the
Charlotte of the group, the Samantha a 28-year-old marketing manager, a
30-year-old head hunter the Carrie and the 29-year-old veterinarian the
Miranda. The four were handpicked by producers at On Style through a tedious
screening process which included four individual and group interviews.
At the end of each episode, the women untie a ribbon to a scroll that reveals
next week's topic and mission they are to complete for. They have gone shopping
where they talk about the importance of self-maintenance and tried new leisure
sports while discussing how to invest time in themselves by being single.
In episode three, the women's mission was to take part in the current trend of
dating younger men. After each one found a date, they shared their thoughts
about dating and marriage with younger men at a spa.
Already almost halfway into its scheduled 10 episode run, the four girls have
grown close and seem to be increasingly comfortable in each other's presence
which enhances the reality element of the program.
Although each and every one of the characters possess their own charm, ''fun,
fearless, confident'' are the common traits the four women show viewers. In
this sense, the program can reveal the changing attitudes of single women and
society's views toward them to those tuning in at home.
On the other hand, followers of the show are quick to contribute feedback as
many have commented on the ''Singles in Seoul'' website that they wish to see
more individual coverage of the women at the workplace and less of the glam
factor. The women are often shown dining, shopping, and chatting at Seoul's
finest.
Another interesting aspect of the program is that the netizens are each given
on-line ballots to vote for the most admired and favorite ''single.'' She will
walk off the show with a ticket to a world cruise worth 10 million won after
the broadcast of the 10th and final episode
As the series progresses, audiences at home are getting a better idea of what
each of the women has to offer but will just have to wait to see who will be
chosen as the model single woman.
''Singles in Seoul'' airs Fridays at 11 p.m.
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3-9-2003
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