Shazani
Nartino.
Socially Unaware or Just Plain Boring?
Is Netflix’s Singapore Social as vapid as people say or is it worth watching?
By Shazani Nartino
This article was written for The Republican Post
Soon to be published
The Cast: (From left) Nicole Ong, Tabitha Nauser, Vinny Sharp, Sukki Singapora, Paul Foster, Mae Tan.
(PHOTO: Netflix)
If you’ve heard by now—whether, through the controversy or the fellow reviews slamming this ‘reality’ TV series, Singapore Social has trended for a while for being a shallow reflection of Singapore’s social reality.
But, is it really all that?
While the ‘reality’ TV series does seem to be a Crazy Rich Asians knock-off with its constant backdrops of Marina Bay Sands, it does (or attempts to) provide some authenticity through the experiences of its main cast.
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The eight-episode series, which premiered on 22nd November on Netflix, follows the lives of six young Singaporeans—namely; fashion influencer Mae Tan; entrepreneur Nicole Ong; philanthropist Paul Foster; burlesque artist Sukki Singapora; R&B pop star Tabitha Nauser; and filmmaker Vinny Sharp.
And as quoted from the synopsis, the series follows them: “as they defy expectations and traverse the tricky terrain of career, romance and family”.
This follows suit throughout the pilot episode of the series—where we see the casts’ personal struggles with “career, romance and family” play out.
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At first glance, these struggles are seemingly very Singaporean—from Nicole’s breakdown during her family’s Chinese New Year dinner as a result of comments from her overbearing mother to Mae and Vinny sharing each other’s romantic struggles during a prawning date (very Singaporean right?).
The Peak Singaporean Experience: Vinny and Mae discuss each other’s romantic struggles under the façade of a relatable Singaporean experience, a prawning date, which is a first for Vinny. (PHOTO: Netflix)
However, as the series progresses, the struggles and experiences the cast faces get more and more unrelatable—unless you’re an affluent and popular influencer yourself that is (#richpeopleproblems).
For example, how the cast goes to possibly every bar (especially at MBS’ rooftop) and club in the country to drink over their relationship problems. And by drink, I’m referring to how every episode features at least two instances of any cast member drinking a cocktail or a glass of wine (#alcoholwarning much?).
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Day Drinking: The series opens with Mae, Vinny, and Nicole ordering wine at a restaurant against the ever-present backdrop of MBS while discussing Asian parent expectations.
(PHOTO: Netflix)
Another instance of these #richpeopleproblems would be Sukki deciding to fly to Los Angeles just to confess her feelings to a man she only recently met—to which Mae responds with: “It would probably be easier to text, even like, FaceTime.”
By the end of the series, most of the casts’ #richpeopleproblems are easily resolved. In this sense, the drama of their #richpeopleproblems isn’t interesting enough to watch—not for eight whole episodes that is.
For instance, a major plot point centers on Sukki snooping around Vinny and his relationship with ex, Christina. During the series’ penultimate episode, things seemingly come to a head between the three as Vinny and Christina confront Sukki to tell her to stop poking around their relationship.
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And that’s probably as dramatic as it gets—as in the following episode, things immediately get resolved as Vinny and Sukki talk at a cafe (non-alcoholic this time!).
Honestly, I wouldn’t have finished the series if it meant I could write a review as superficial as the series itself. And as harsh as that sounds, its only saving grace were its beautifully shot backdrops and transitions—which says much about a ‘reality’ TV series.
Overall, Singapore Social is by no means an accurate reflection of Singapore’s social reality (nor does it brand itself as such) but neither is it interesting or dramatic enough to be a competent ‘reality’ TV series.
Rating — 2/5.