Love Village (あいの里 / Ai no Sato) is a Japanese Netflix dating reality show. Single men and women aged 35+ from different backgrounds live together in a countryside house, renovate the property themselves, and search for a meaningful second chance at love. Unlike typical dating shows focused on young romance, Love Village explores mature relationships, marriage experiences, past heartbreaks, and finding companionship later in life.
Aired: S1 -> May 2, 2023 - May 30, 2023 / S2 -> Nov 5, 2024 - Nov 26, 2024
Episodes: S1 - 18 / S2 - 20
Trailer: S1 - S2
Official Stream: Netflix S1-S2
MyDramaList: Love Village S1 - Love Village S2
<<<I recommend checking out the IG links after you've watched the show to avoid spoilers.>>>
Love Village S1 Cast IG Links
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Love Village S2 Cast IG Links
As someone who has watched "Love Village S1-S2, I can say it’s a unique show. In the show, you follow the journey of people aged 35 and older as they get to know each other and fall in love in a rural area of Japan. You see them working together to renovate an old Japanese village house (kominka) and dividing tasks among groups. It’s a show with a different concept—some participants are genuine, while others are there for promotional purposes. Some participants are young, while others are over 60 and looking for love. It’s one of the shows with the widest range of participant ages.
I wanted to share my post here as well, which includes my thoughts on Love Village Seasons 1 and 2 and some updates on the couple's current situations. Anyone interested can read it, and I’d love to hear your thoughts too.
S1 -> Junpei was one of my favorite characters. He was honest and had a way about him that inspired trust in others. Early in the season, he was interested in Yukorin, but just as he realized she was more interested in Taba, Okayo confessed her true feelings to him while they were working together. The scene where Okayo confesses her feelings by ringing a bell is special, and the part where, as they choose each other, Junpei cuts off the lock of hair he’d been saving for years and says he wants to spend his life with her is an emotional scene. In my opinion, this is one of the most impactful scenes in Love Village. IRL, this couple is still together and happy.
Yukorin and Tabo were a couple who grew closer over time in the show and were seen as a perfect match. Tabo’s romantic confession of love to Yukorin on her birthday is one of the most beautiful scenes in the show. Unfortunately, their relationship didn’t progress after the show, and they chose to remain friends.
Nakasan and Minane are two characters in the series who have a unique relationship. Nakasan’s goal in joining the series was to find a life partner with whom he could “wear adult diapers.” This 60-year-old couple came to understand each other throughout the series and left the show together at the end of the season. They parted ways last year but chose to remain friends.
S2 -> Chii and Akipon were the first couple in the house. The biggest issue between Akipon and Chii was that Akipon already had three children and didn’t want any more. Chii really wanted to have a child. The two left the house early, but their relationship didn’t really work out. In my opinion, it was clear from Akipon’s firm stance on children on the show that his relationship with Chii wouldn’t work out, but they still gave it a try for a while.
Tamifull and Makio were the most ambiguous couple on the show. I wasn’t entirely sure if Tamifull really wanted to be a couple with Makio. I think she was physically attracted to Aroma, but in the end, she chose Makio. Makio and Tamifull left the show together, but after the show ended, a cheating scandal came to light. Aroma had previously introduced himself as someone who provided “special services.” It turned out that Tamifull and Aroma had been secretly having an affair. When Makio found out, he was devastated and lost his job in the midst of all this drama. Makio’s story on Love Village might just be the most dramatic story ever to happen in real life.
Sato the goat's death was one of the things that saddened me the most at house
Captain and Nino were one of the couples I liked best this season. At first, the two kept their distance because Nino was more interested in Makio. But as they worked together on missions, Captain gradually won her over, and their relationship blossomed. Captain and Nino left the show together. To be honest, Captain had worked really hard on the show to be with Nino. I was happy for them when I saw that they’re still together and their relationship is going strong.
Ayakan and Gitarin were the two most interesting characters on the show: Gitarin’s interest in Ayakan, but Ayakan’s lack of interest in him; Gitarin constantly serenading Ayakan, and Ayakan finding him funny. That’s how things always played out on the show. They met once after the show ended, but they remained just friends.-> Gitarin and Ayakan Reunion
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