Zhong Guo Shi Xiang Qin (Chinese: 中国式相亲; lit. 'Chinese Style Blind Date', known in English as Chinese Dating with the Parents) is a Chinese companion dating show, it is made and broadcast on Dragon Television in China and is currently hosted by Zhang Guoli and Chen Chen.[1] The program was first broadcast and released on 24 December 2016 (Christmas Eve 2016) on Saturday nights at 20:30, and was originally hosted by Jin Xing.[2]
| Chinese Dating with the Parents | |
|---|---|
 Season 1 titlecard | |
| Also known as | 中国新相亲 (New Chinese Blind Date) (Season 2) |
| Chinese | 中国式相亲 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zhōng Guó Shì Xiāng Qīn |
| Genre | Dating Show |
| Presented by |
|
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Chinese |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
| Production | |
| Production location | Shanghai |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | SMG: Dragon TV |
| Release | 24 December 2016 |
| Related | |
| If You Are the One (game show) Dating with the Parents | |
Introduction and History
editThe show was first hosted by transgender woman Jin Xing (金星), who said that "Nowadays the social network are more lonely and less reliable, bringing their parents to find their companion for dating is the traditional way of Chinese people is it, for the first time in TV show." Jin Xing has revealed in 2017, she will serve as host on Dragon TV's Blind Date program Chinese Style Blind Date.[3][4][5]
The show provides for young people to find the marriage opportunity, in depth communications between parents and children to achieve their parents desire for building an inter-generational relationship on platform, including discussions about inside and outside of emotional, inter-generational contradictions and social topics.[6][7]
In the program show, candidates get the urge to marry from their parents who are either sitting on the stage and backstage for observation. The 5 groups of parents would sit behind each podium to face a single guest and compete for their favorite companion as they want, for their children or child sitting in the soundproof room.[8][9]
Premise
editEvery episode there would be 5 candidates with their parents on the program. The program alternates between a male version and a female version each week. After the introductions of each family, the children of the 5 groups of parents are sent to the soundproof room. A single candidate of the opposite gender then goes on stage one by one to the face the parents of the 5 candidates, whilst not being able to see the faces of their children[10][11]
The single candidate then plays two videos to reveal information about themselves including their occupation and past relationships. During this time, the parents compete for the final 3 spots. In between the videos, the candidate, the parents and the host exchange banter with each other when videos are not shown. The children in the soundproof room are able to see the candidate through a separate screen and are also able to communicate with their parents through calling them on the phone in between videos.
After both videos have been shown, if the 3 finalist spots are not filled up, the host then asks the children in the soundproof room if they want their parents to join the other finalists. If the remaining children in the soundproof room (who are not finalists) chose not to join the finalists with their parents, the candidate leaves without a date.
If the candidate is successful in being able to get 3 groups of parents to fill up the three finalist spots, the candidate then puts forward a question to the three groups of parents from a set menu of queries. Following that, they are able to choose one of the children from the three groups of parents as their date.
References
edit- ^ a b "张国立的《中国新相亲》，取代了金星的《中国式相亲》？" [Zhang Guoli’s “New Chinese Blind Date” has replaced Venus’ “Chinese Style Blind Date”] (in Chinese). Sohu. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ Jakob Lengacher (18 April 2017). "TV Tuesday: A Closer Look at Romance in China Through 'Chinese Style Dating'". Blog. The Beijing-er. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ Wang Lianzhang (27 December 2016). "Bachelorettes Vie for Parental Approval on New Dating Show". News. Sixth Tone. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- ^ Siyi Chen (30 December 2016). "A new hit Chinese dating show has parents picking partners for their kids, and it strikes close to home". Giant Baby Nation. Quartz. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
- ^ Anson Ling (31 December 2016). "A NEW CHINESE DATING SHOW ALLOWS PARENTS TO CHOOSE THEIR KID'S PARTNERS". Resonate. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ Karoline Kan (16 February 2017). "Chinese Dating Show Puts Veto Power in Parents Hands". News and analysis. The New York Times. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "《中国式相亲》将播 金星当电视红娘变柔软了". 新闻发布会. 搜狐娱乐. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ Liu Jing. "Family involvement in dating show stirs netizens". China Daily. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
- ^ "东方卫视2017：陈坤回归电视 王思聪开脱口秀". 凤凰网娱乐. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ David Knox (24 February 2018). "Meet the Parents: China". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ Michele Lim (20 February 2018). "Why on earth would you let your parents choose your partner for you?". SBS Australia. Retrieved 2 April 2018.