By Tanya Cronin

Kamloops dentist looks for love on Chinese dating show

Sep 12, 2016 | 5:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — He put his heart on the line, in front of millions of people. Kamloops dentist Dr. Dali Li went looking for love in China.

In July, he travelled to Nanjing, where he appeared on the popular television dating show ‘If You Are the One’ where 10 Canadians were profiled during the episode.

Li was given 20 to 30 minutes to impress 24 women, and he says it was one of the most nerve wracking experiences of his life. While he didn’t end up meeting ‘the one’ Li says it was an opporunity he’ll never forget. 

It’s a cultural phenomenon, each episode watched by up to 50 million people. And Kamloops dentist Dr. Dali Li was right there, front and centre, on ‘If You Are the One’ the biggest TV dating show in all of China.

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“It was a wow experience for me, the moment i got off the elevator, the lighting and there was about 300 to 400 audience and it was a really wow experience for me,” says Dr. Dali Li.

Dr. Li was one of 10 male contestants from across Canada who travelled to the Chinese city of Nanjing, to appeared on the show for a Canadian special. 

“I didn’t think i was going to be selected, so i thought i was just going to register for fun, maybe try through the interview process to meet someone.”

But before he knew it, film crews landed in Kamloops to profile Dr. Li, and get to know the city he lives in. Video clips to be featured on the show about him, his past relationships, and a little message from some of his friends. 

“I took them to Tobiano, Riverside Park, Downtown, we did quite a bit of filming in those areas, they spent 2 days here, they’re going to show 3 video clips and the 24 women will decide if they like you or not, so if their lights are on it means they like you.” 

Out of 24 women, 3 lights shined bright for Dr. Li. He managed to survive each round, and in the end, gained the right to vie for the heart of his dream girl. A difficult feat, as it turns out he didn’t impress her quite enough.

“It was a blind date, so it went really fast, so afterward we chatted, we text messaged each other, but we think we could be friends but probably not in a romantic way.”

This Sahali Dentist, and Kamloops bachelor, isn’t giving up. He’s willing to put his heart on the line again to find love, but says next time, it won’t be on national television, or in front of an audience of 400 people. 

“20 or 30 minutes isn’t enough to know each other that well, so i think more time will be needed to know if the other person is the one for sure, I’m still looking for that one,” says Dr. Li.