Terrace House: Boys & Girls in the City

A friend recommended this show. I watched an episode to get a feel then turned it off immediately.

After 10 minutes, I decided I shouldn't have given up on it so quick just because it started slow.

I'm glad I did because the show progress pretty fast as the days, then episodes shown, go on at the Terrace House.

Observing people's behavior is so fascinating to me. That's largely the reason why I watched this too. And also because I love the Asian culture.

I'll be honest, my friend had to introduce this show to me despite my own interest in all things Japan and Netflix. I'm also not a big fan of reality tv, this show is completely different. It seems a lot more genuine and there is little to no interference from the production.

It's a very simple premise, 6 strangers live in the same house but otherwise carry out their normal life (going to work or school as usual). They can join and leave whenever they like, they don't have to have a specific motive to be there. Some want relationships other want friendships but it gives free rein to the housemates. They do have an outside cast of what I assume are celebrity personalities and/or comedians who weigh in on the events and give a quick rundown of previous episodes. It is a different style of humour so it could be hit or miss for some people but it is pretty enjoyable either way.

I hope that Netflix stick with this show, I feel that subbed series and films often get the short end of the stick in Europe.

Some other reviews seem a bit bizarre, e.g. '... most interesting is the fact that most enter the home with a certain objective in bettering themselves in one way or another'.

It's not so interesting when you realize that many of these people that are cast for Terrace House enter the house have with the simple objective of furthering (or starting) a modeling/entertainment career vs. this 'relationship' atmosphere that the series plays up & the commentators talk about.

I certainly wouldn't call this 'true reality'. That being said, yes, some things do happen, and, yes, some people are there for reasons other than fame. It's these people that are worth watching.

Terrace house encapsulates what it means to be a reality TV show. I'm so sick of eliminations, challenges, prize money, and roses. The show documents 6 strangers living together and the engagement together nothing more nothing more, nothing less. Members still go to work, go grocery shopping, and have phones. At first, I was expecting something like big brother but japanese reality is another form of reality together. To enjoy this show, you need to have an open mind and your preconceptions about reality from western TV shows need to be abolished. Beautiful Camera work.

It's incredible how entertaining other people's lives can be when watched through a screen. And it also helps that the commentators are quite witty and funny.