The first thrills may be over for the reality show, but its producers are still committed

When reality TV show “We Got Married” first aired in 2008, many viewers enjoyed watching celebrity couples engage in a blissful, albeit simulated, marriage onscreen. Others, however, questioned the show’s authenticity, wondering if it was scripted.

Producers Huh Hahng and Kim Sun-young responded, as they have to such skepticism over the years, that there is “absolutely no script that is delivered to the cast,” at a media interview Wednesday at Seoul’s MBC headquarters.

Producers Huh Hahng (left) and Kim Sun-young speak to reporters at an interview at Seoul’s MBC headquarters on Wednesday. (MBC)

The show is in its fourth season this year. After eight years, the honeymoon phase has passed: Scraping by with a 4.2 percent viewership, the show is struggling under the tediousness of routine.

“At first, we were all about showing a sweet married life,” said Kim. In its heyday, the show hit 17 percent viewership, starring couples like singers Jo Kwon and Son Ga-in, and Nichkhun and Victoria enjoying an idyllic home life.

“But that’s not how real marriage is. There’s conflict, there’s ennui. Now, we want to speak on behalf of real, longtime couples.”

In the show, two celebrities are paired up to take imaginary wedding vows. They then engage in various activities together -- meeting the parents, cooking at home, going on picnics, and more.

“We only plot out the big frame,” said Huh. “We tell (the couples) to go to the amusement park together, and so on. We don’t tell them how to act or what to say. I think viewers are sensitive, and can feel it when the production staff interferes, when it feels fake.”
It is the cast who often asks for direction, said Huh. “We think a lot about the integrity of reality shows,” she said.

Comedian Lee Guk-joo and rapper Sleepy stage a wedding ceremony in marriage reality show “We Got Married.” (MBC)

Currently, the show stars comedienne Lee Guk-joo and rapper Sleepy, among others. The two sometimes bicker about money, get jealous and hold grudges. But they also hide letters for each other around the house, and compliment their partner to friends.

“There’s this tension, and I think part of the fun of watching a show like this is wondering whether the two will become a couple in real life,” said Huh.

Other reality shows depicting home life have sprung up since “We Got Married” first aired. JTBC is currently airing “With You,” which pairs up older, single celebrities in a mock marriage. KBS’ “The Return of Superman” features celebrities raising children, while MBC’s “I Live Alone” traces the everyday lives of single celebrities.

“We Got Married” currently airs every Saturday at 4:55 p.m. on MBC, and is available on streaming websites Viki and DramaFever.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)