Live stream your blind date to the world? This dating app thinks it’s a good idea
Zhenai brings your awkward first dates online for everyone to see
A dating app in China is trying out new ways of match-making by allowing its users to have blind dates through video streams. But what’s really cringey about the concept is that these dates happen live, in public and for everyone to watch and comment.
And this sometimes includes the prospective partner’s parents who join the live stream to check out the date. It’s like hosting your own reality dating game show in real time.
The app named Zhenai made its name for offering its dating platform and more expensive match-making services to those looking for love. It ventured into video streaming in 2017 in order to reach a younger audience.
The app placed third on the list of most-downloaded social apps. Zhenai says its one-on-one streaming feature was especially popular during the holiday period. Which means plenty of people had a chance to listen to awkward first-time conversations such as this one that I overheard: