The only thought that comes to my mind when I think of this season is-

“It’s pretty awkward, situations and people included”

“His Man Season Three” is bigger, bolder, more angsty and slightly disconcerting. After watching the first four episodes, I did try to draw comparisons to the season predecessors. Not withstanding the fact, that the reality show has new twists and turns, this season has new set of rules that bring along unprecedented complications. The first thing that comes to mind after watching the pilot episodes is the awkwardness between the contestants, and after two days stay at the Men’s House, it doesn’t decrease; the situation goes overboard. So, you can anticipate more complexity in this season as the contestants blow from hot to cold easily. Of course, it is a reality show, so there will be opportunities galore, some people tend to stick to the same choices while others move to greener pastures at lightening speed. Some are too cautious, others are too curious.

The pilot episodes send our first six contestants on a wild goose chase. Following the trend from Season Two, where they introduced the three/four man date format, “His Man Season Three” fishes the shy men from their respective ponds and dumps them right into the middle of formal meet & greet. Only this season, the contestants seem to have a hard time getting acquainted. In the regular fashion that is so characteristic of this reality show, the six men are then send out on separate dates where wild card entrants join them. While I wasn’t expecting anything new, I was slightly disappointed because it seemed like watching a recap of previous seasons.

While that does seem like the first impression, let’s meet the eight contestants who are competing on this show to find their better halves!

Cha Jaeseung (33)- he is the oldest of the lot, has been running a croffle shop for 3 years and is a former personal trainer with 8 years of experience.

Son Youngjoon (28)- Works in an advertisement shooting team and runs a photo studio.

Hwang Minseon (24)- is majoring in acting

Bae Seongmin (29)- is currently working as a Korean tutor, has graduated from an engineering college, and is a former brand marketer.

Jo Myeongkyun (25)- is a model and an aspiring actor who has worked in morning dramas

Kim Seungjin (21)- hip hop dancer, also known by his stage name, Gadi

Kim Hanmin (27)- a hospital personal staff member and freelance model.

Kim Hwi (22)- a college student majoring in visual design.

What Happens in the First Two Episodes

The show begins by introducing the contestants as the first set form a group of four. Kim Hwi, Hwang Minseon, Kim Seungjin & Son Youngjoon have group blind date while Cha Jaeseung & Bae Seongmin are given a chance to date individually. The contestants were later allowed to select their rooms according to their own wish. Kim Hwi, Kim Seongmin and Son Youngjoon, Hwang Minseon were paired together while Kim Seungjin and Cha Jaeseung decide to occupy the single rooms. After initial introductions, the only couple who got my attention was Kim Hwi & Kim Seongmin; slightly apprehensive, adorably shy yet very much curious. Cha Jaeseung’s logic of clubbing his two crushes seems to have a detrimental effect on the poor man.

The next day sets into motion individual dates for roommates to learn more about each other. While Kim Hwi & Kim Seongmin visit a rattan store, Youngjoon & Minseon are sent on a fragrant soap making mission, while Jaesung & Seungjin visit a sheep farm. At the end of the dates, the wild card entrants Jo Myeongkyun & Kim Hanmin were added to the mix. Hanmin joins Youngjoon & Minseon on their date while Myeongkyun interrupts Hwi & Seongmin on their lovely rendezvous. The setting was pretty awkward as the two new contestants seem more like third wheel. The dynamics change when the men return to the house, with Youngjoon visibly shocked at meeting his ex-boyfriend, Myeongkyun. They pretend that they don’t know each other and try to come to a resolution on how to act inside the house. Drama much!

First Impressions

The casting director surely looked at Youngjoon and Myeongkyun’s profile and thought “These two were in the flirting phase, let’s put them together in the same house, we definitely need the extra drama”. I’m not sure if Myeongkyun’s entry would have any positive effect on the situation because it seems like he is still hung up on Youngjoon who has clearly moved on. Also, I was rooting for Hwi & Seongmin after watching the pilot episodes and Hwi seems to be consistent in his affections as against as Seongmin who wants to check out new avenues. Youngjoon, Hanmin, Minseon and Myeongkyun being in the same room might be advantageous or create more melodrama, depending on the situation; because Hanmin seems enamored with Youngjoon and Minseon seems intrigued with Myeongkyun.

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- IQIYI