Netflix dating reality show '19/20' explores transition to adulthood

The new Netflix show “19/20” (read as “Nineteen to Twenty”) is a dating reality show surrounding a group of Gen Z individuals who spend their last week as minors together. In Korea, you become a legal adult at the age of 19...

From left, producers Park Su-ji, Kim Jung-hyun, Kim Jae-won, singer Jeong Se-woon, actor Kim Ji-eun, singer Lee Su-hyun of AKMU and singer Kyuhyun pose for a photo during a press conference for new Netflix dating reality show ″19/20″ at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Thursday. [YONHAP]

The new Netflix show “19/20” (read as “Nineteen to Twenty”) is a dating reality show surrounding a group of Gen Zers who spend their last week as minors together.

In Korea, you become a legal adult at the age of 19, but due to the country’s age system — which became a thing of the past only this month — you would have to be 20 to be considered an adult.

“Now that the law regarding age has changed, I think it is more meaningful that we have made a reality series surrounding the changing status from teenagers to adults in ’19/20,’” said producer Kim Jae-won during a press conference at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Thursday. “Aging one more year at New Year’s was an experience unique to Korea. That has changed now, but it’s made our show all the more significant.”

In “19/20,” a group of Gen Z teenagers gather at the “20 House” with just two weeks left until they all turn 20. They spend those two weeks together, but they are not allowed to date until they turn adults. The participants attend classes on becoming adults together.

“We wanted to teach the participants about what is needed to be functioning adults,” said Kim. “Classes on handling finances, being able to read and discerningly sign work contracts, lessons on adult relationships — we teach the participants all these things throughout the show.”

Main poster for ″19/20″ [NETFLIX]

A lot of effort was put into selecting the participants for “19/20,” as previous Netflix reality shows such as “Physical:100” were swept up in controversy because participants had been involved in crimes such as domestic violence or other misconduct.

“Netflix has supported us in verifying the participants and making sure that there was nothing in the participants’ past that may be seen as unfitting,” said Kim. “We looked over school records and had participants go through medical checkups as well, just in case. We also interviewed schoolmates and friends of the participants to cross-reference.”

The verifying process and medical checkups were also for the mental health of the participants, according to Kim.

“’19/20’ deals with teenagers on the brink of becoming adults, and that is a very sensitive time,” said Kim. “And as our show is a reality program, we thought that the feedback after the show airs could perhaps end up hurting the participants. So, we tried to edit the show with these concerns in mind and always put the interests of the participants first.”

Watching the teenage participants mingle and live together in the “20 House” lent the hosts of “19/20” a sense of becoming young again themselves.

“Looking at these young people who express themselves so freely and are honest, I looked back at my own younger days,” said singer Kyuhyun during the press conference. Kyuhyun appears as one of the four hosts along with singer Jeong Se-woon, actor Kim Ji-eun and singer Lee Su-hyun of AKMU. “I think many viewers will feel the same way watching ‘19/20.’”

“19/20” is set for release on Netflix on July 11.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]