ALPINE LOVE REVIEW (Episodes 1–4)

Episode 1 – Alpine Love

• I liked the concept of having no expectations and filming from a distance.
• However, I started feeling a little uneasy during the dinner scene at the long table. The camera kept panning to the production crew to capture their thoughts and opinions, which were then included in the episode. Personally, I didn’t think that was necessary.

Episode 2 – Why are they cycling in the rain?

• The first 5–7 minutes were enjoyable and easy to watch.
• Similar to the previous episode, the camera frequently focused on the production crew while they discussed the participants’ behavior. Again, I didn’t think it added much to the viewing experience.
• There was a scene where the participants had to ride bicycles despite the rain, wet and slippery roads, and heavy fog. I was genuinely surprised that filming continued under those conditions.
• After that, it was fun watching the participants enjoy the water activities. However, the crew started encouraging them to hug each other immediately after getting off the boat, which felt a little forced.
• Near the end of the episode, one participant asked the crew whether it was okay to be more vocal with the others. The crew approved and encouraged him. I actually didn’t mind this interaction since it seemed to support the show’s goal of capturing authentic connections.

Episode 3 – Why are they climbing mountains?

• I loved how direct the participants were during the bonfire Q&A session.
• I also found it amusing how they still managed to find the time, energy, and oxygen to socialize while climbing up and down the mountain.
• The activities were enjoyable to watch until the crew started chanting “Bikini, bikini” before the swimming segment.
• What made it even stranger was when the camera focused on the director, who announced he was “entering bikini mode” before putting on his sunglasses and smiling at the camera. I genuinely wasn’t sure what purpose that served.

Episode 4 – Why are they still in the mountains?

• This episode is what finally pushed me to write this review. Just 2 minutes and 11 seconds in, one of the crew members referred to a participant as “Fatso.” Why? I genuinely don’t know. Was it because his body wasn’t as slim as the other participants? Was there context that didn’t make it into the subtitles? Whatever the reason, I hope there was a very good explanation for it.
• At this point, I started questioning whether they were filming a dating variety show or an extreme adventure program. For the past few episodes, the participants have spent a surprising amount of time climbing mountains and doing physically demanding activities.
• Two male participants slipped and sprained their ankles while descending the mountain. During the situation, the director commented that if he were in one participant’s position, he would push through, but if he were in the other participant’s position, he wouldn’t continue. I honestly didn’t understand the point of that comparison. First of all, it wasn’t him who was injured. Second, was his opinion really necessary in that moment?
• To his credit, the director ultimately decided not to let either participant continue with the challenge.
• It was also touching to see one of the crew members comfort a female participant by telling her not to be too hard on herself. It was one of the more genuine moments of the episode.
• Around the middle of the episode, I became more hopeful when the director reminded everyone of the show’s actual purpose and gave the participants the opportunity to pursue dates with the people they were interested in.

Overall Thoughts

So far, I’m enjoying the participants more than the production itself.

The cast feels genuine, and many of their interactions have been entertaining, heartfelt, and easy to root for. However, my biggest issue with Alpine Love is the production team’s constant involvement. The crew frequently appears on camera, comments on the participants’ behavior, influences interactions, and occasionally inserts themselves into moments that would have felt more natural if left alone.

I’m also starting to wonder whether this is a dating show or a mountain-climbing survival challenge. The participants seem to spend just as much time navigating difficult terrain as they do getting to know one another.

That said, there are still plenty of enjoyable moments, and I’m interested to see whether the upcoming episodes focus more on the relationships and less on turning the cast into professional hikers.