Heart Signal Season 4 Returns After 3 Years: Will It Reclaim Its Original Spot?

“Heart Signal, a matchmaking variety show on Channel A where you observe and analyze the romance of young men and women unfolding in Signal House and deduce the final couple, is now in its fourth season.”

Hello! Today, I'm going to introduce you to Heart Signal Season 4. Heart Signal concluded its third season in 2020, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a gap of about three years. In 2022, a large-scale recruitment of cast members was held, and Season 4 was released in 2023. It was great news for fans who had been waiting for Heart Signal. Especially since the pasts of some cast members from the previous season had caused controversy, Season 4 reportedly even checked the cast members' school records for verification. Let's find out what happened in Season 4!

First, various cast members with diverse professions and charms moved into the house this season. The male cast members were barista Han Gyeo-re, strategic consultant Shin Min-gyu, doctor Yoo Ji-won, and artist Lee Hu-shin—four in total. The female cast members were lawyer Lee Ju-mi, flight attendant Kim Ji-young, university student Kim Ji-min, and casting agent and model Yoo I-su. The cast members all had unique personalities, which made the show more enjoyable to watch.

This season showcased complex relationship dynamics. Rather than couples showing mutual attraction from the beginning, there were more cast members in a position of unrequited love. Ji-young's feelings were a central focus. Although she enjoyed sweet dates with Min-gyu, her unrequited feelings resonated with many viewers who have experienced unrequited love. In addition, there was Ji-won's unrequited love for Ji-young and Min-gyu's unrequited love for Ji-min. The final choices were surprising and differed from the narrative's trajectory. In particular, Min-gyu and I-su's choice was criticized by some viewers for lacking sufficient build-up and context, making it difficult to understand.

Season 4's return after three years generated both anticipation and concern. It started with a low viewership rating of 0.5%, but the ratings steadily increased over time, reaching 2.3% by the finale. Nowadays, more people watch shows through OTT platforms than broadcast television, so the ratings aren't as significant, but it's generally agreed that Heart Signal lived up to its reputation.

Heart Signal has always been characterized by pure, innocent excitement. As a pioneer and a classic in the romance program genre, Heart Signal has its own strengths. However, in today's environment where stimulating content is highly sought-after, there were concerns that its appeal might be diminishing. But there are still people who appreciate the unique sensibility of Heart Signal, which is likely why it continues to thrive.

After Signal

After the conclusion of Heart Signal Season 4, viewers were able to catch a glimpse of what happened afterward through 'After Signal.' It's a continuation of the story after the month spent in Signal House. The producers said they conceived of 'After Signal' because they regretted not being able to include more details in the original show. It's not like the moment someone is chosen they automatically become a couple. The show captures the subsequent deliberations and the process of developing into a real-life couple. Even those who didn't end up as a final couple show good chemistry, so those who are curious about what happened later should check it out!

We've explored Heart Signal Season 4 today. What did you think? I personally had high expectations, having enjoyed Seasons 2 and 3 so much. While it might not have completely fulfilled those expectations, it was still enjoyable to look forward to each episode. It's challenging for movies and dramas to get better with each season. However, I think it's impressive that Heart Signal has maintained its position in an era overflowing with stimulating content, holding onto its own style. I hope this was helpful for those looking for a romance program that can rekindle the feeling of excitement. Thank you for reading today! :)