Netflix has opened my eyes to a lot of great shows and movies from around the world.
And one of those gems just so happens to be Terrace House.
My love for exploring cultures outside of my own helped me stumble upon it and I've been hooked ever since.
It's basically like the Japanese version of MTV's Real World, except way more real.
But the Netflix series is actually a continuation of Fuji TV's original creation Terrace House: Boys x Girls Next Door, which aired from 2012 to 2014.
Then Netflix kicked off Terrace House: Boys x Girls in the City from 2015 to 2016.
Here's how it works: They bring together six complete strangers, three boys and three girls.
Each member arrives with a purpose, whether it's to "find a love worth dying for" or to advance in their career. Once they feel like they've achieved their goal or are just plain sick of the house, they can leave and will be immediately replaced.
And, of course, they're given an amazing house to live in:
That usually includes a lavish pool...
...and luxury cars.
Like Real World, the cast members get a taste of new scenery. Although the majority of the seasons were based in Japan, the show's latest season is filmed in Hawaii.
Obviously picking a location by the water was a great choice for everyone.
And for anyone worried about a language barrier, don't worry! That's what subtitles are for.
Because this is ACTUAL reality TV, the drama is definitely on a smaller scale, but also more relatable.
So, instead you'll see stuff like a roommate eating someone else's food from the fridge, unexpected hookups, stressing about adulthood, getting injured during sports, and more.
Expect some minor arguments, but NO physical fighting.
You can also count on alcohol in the mix.
And a few tears:
And, finally, what really sets this show apart is the commentators giving their personal feedback throughout the show.
So stop what you're doing and go watch it on Netflix...NOW!!!!!
You won't regret it.