A Decade After Reality TV Romance, Couple’s Story Reflects Shifting Views on Marriage in China
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A persistent suitor and a reluctant participant, Dong Yan and Wu Zhengzhen’s story, which began on the hit Chinese dating show If You are the One in 2012, offers a compelling glimpse into evolving attitudes toward love, marriage, and societal expectations in China. Their journey from a televised first encounter to a life built together in Melbourne, Australia, underscores the enduring appeal of the show – now in its 16th year – even as conventional dating norms undergo a dramatic conversion.
From National Television to a Transcontinental Romance
Dong Yan famously declared on If You Are the One that he had come solely for Wu Zhengzhen, a contestant known to viewers as “the girl who cries the most.” He had, according to reports, been captivated by her vulnerability after seeing her on screen months prior and vowed to one day marry her. Successfully auditioning for the show, yan’s initial meeting with Zhengzhen, though, did not spark an immediate connection. She was six years his senior and, at the time, emotionally invested in another contestant.
Despite her lack of reciprocal feelings, Zhengzhen agreed to leave the stage with Yan, stating she did so “not because I love you,” but “because I don’t want you to leave alone.” Yan’s unwavering determination was promptly apparent, responding with a resolute, “I don’t care who you walk off this stage with. What I want is that one day, you will marry me.”
His pursuit continued after the season concluded. A pivotal moment occurred during a snowy winter day in Beijing, where Yan waited for Zhengzhen outside a business event. This gesture, she said, profoundly moved her, ultimately leading to a date and, eventually, a loving relationship.The couple married on Valentine’s Day in 2014.
The Enduring Appeal of If You Are The One
Now residing in Melbourne with their two sons, Yan and Zhengzhen represent one success story among many forged through If You Are The One. The show’s longevity is remarkable, notably given the challenges facing traditional television. It has adapted to a changing media landscape, expanding its reach to online and social media platforms.Host Meng Fei attributes the show’s continued success to its loyal fanbase.
The program’s format typically features one bachelor presented to 24 bachelorettes, with the women choosing to keep their lights on – indicating continued interest – or turn them off. The bachelor then selects a date from those remaining. If You Are The One has been broadcast with English subtitles on SBS in Australia for over a decade, and the production crew recently returned to Australia to scout contestants for a new season slated to air in China and internationally in January.This marks the fourth time Australia has been chosen as a recruitment location, surpassing any other country.
More than 300 individuals registered for auditions in Melbourne and Sydney, with producers planning to select approximately 30 women and 10 men for filming in Nanjing. Applicants include Chinese Australians,international students,and Australians proficient in Mandarin. Many prospective contestants shared that they first watched the show with their parents during their childhoods.
Generational shifts and the Pursuit of Connection
Back in Melbourne, Zhengzhen and Dong Yan encourage their sons to consider participating in the show should it still be running when they are older. Their sons,having watched the original 2012 broadcast,were “shocked,asking,’Mum,is that really you?’ they think it’s amazing that their parents met this way.” Zhengzhen reflects on how many initially viewed their relationship as a “joke,” but ultimately concludes, “but I think life is sometiems like a gift box – if you never open it, you’ll never know what fantastic surprises might be inside.”
