With the massive popularity of 90 Day Fiancé, TLC decided to give fans insight into the experience of what happens when Americans leave the country for love with 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way. The first season featured six couples, and while most of the couples were new to the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, Paul and Karine were featured on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days.
The first season of this show exploded onto the screen with situations like catfishing, gambling addiction, and embargoes. Some couples had fans cheering for them, while some had fans pushing fast-forward on their remotes.
For: Sumit and Jenny
You can’t help but adore these two, even though their relationship didn’t start on honest terms. Despite being catfished by Sumit at the beginning of their 7-year relationship, Jenny still decides to visit him in India, where they get engaged. Sumit’s family is visibly against their relationship, which causes Sumit to go against his own culture. Jenny gives up (literally) everything to move to India on a tourist visa with plans to marry Sumit and start a life with him there. The show plays up this Romeo and Juliet “forbidden lovers” angle to the max, and fans are really rooting for this couple as they navigate the struggles of hiding their relationship from Sumit’s family. The season finale brings the mother of all bombshells, though, as Sumit turns out to be married. Despite the heartbreaking twist, Jenny is living a happy life back in America.
Against: Corey And Evelin
If there were ever a prize for the most significant case of unreciprocated love on The Other Way, Corey and Evelin were the clear winners. Corey put way more effort into the relationship from the start, investing $40,000 of life-savings into their relationship, mostly on her. Evelin refuses to stay in the U.S., urging Corey to sell everything and pack up his life to move to the tiny fishing village in Ecuador she calls home.
It’s a huge sacrifice, but Corey does it in the name of “love.” Fans disliked Evelin from the start. Still, that feeling grew to hatred when she refused to meet Corey at the airport, forcing him to take a long bus-ride alone, in an unfamiliar country. Evelin’s blatant mistreatment of Corey had fans screaming for him to run for the hills, especially after it was revealed that Evelin was unfaithful during their time apart. Their story grows even more heartbreaking after Corey’s father passes away, forcing him to return to the U.S. to take care of his family. After a dismal proposal, Corey finally saw the light and broke up with Evelin after receiving proof she was cheating on him.
For: Laura and Aladin
With such a drastic age and cultural barrier between the two, fans were wondering ‘why?" Aladin, a 29-year-old handsome personal trainer from Qatar and Laura, a 51-year old retiree from Florida, wasn’t the quintessential couple. Their sweet and real bond over the death of Aladin’s sister had fans rooting for them, though. Laura packed up her belongings, left her loving son, Liam, and headed off to Qatar to be with the man she loved and married. The couple had a rocky start, fighting over their sex life, and cultural differences. Laura was also extremely homesick, missing the comforts of America and her son, who is vocally opposed to this relationship. Despite their problems, fans were excited to see them get married. Unfortunately, the marriage didn’t last, ending tumultuously after the “Tell All.” Laura has now become one of the franchise’s most hated cast members after a string of lies her fans called her out on.
Against: Paul and Karine
Fans are no stranger to the hot mess that is Paul and Karine. Paul is known for his hilariously dramatic acts, and Karine is known for, well, putting up with them. The Other Way brought new challenges for the couple. With a baby on the way, Paul headed back to America to earn money for his family.
Unsurprisingly, Paul’s application for permanent residency was denied due to terrorism charges, and the couple was left in limbo. Karine’s last few weeks of her pregnancy were full of turmoil, with Paul lashing out at her every move. The couple split up, Karine went into labor, and the couple got back together? It’s hard to keep up with, honestly. Paul and Karine did eventually make it to America, where they didn’t live happily ever after, since Karine has confirmed she is leaving Paul.
For: Deavan and Jihoon
These two started off as an absolute trainwreck. An online romance blossoming into a night of passion, leading to an unexpected pregnancy? Now that’s great TV! However, once fans got to know Deavan and Jihoon, they could see they truly loved each other. Jihoon’s parents were incredibly heartwarming and brought some much-needed sweetness to the show. Deavan seemed genuinely interested in learning Jihoon’s culture, even participating in a traditional wedding ceremony in South Korea. Jihoon couldn’t seem to get his act together, though, forcing Deavan to make the decision to return to the U.S. until Jihoon can provide a place to raise their family.
Against: Tiffany and Ronald
As much as fans wanted to love this couple, it’s hard to root for them when a child is uprooted out of the only home he’s ever known and flown halfway across the world to live with a man he’s never met. To top that off, Ronald has a gambling addiction that has led to a lengthy criminal record and no prospects for employment. Not only did these two get married just days after Ronald was discharged from rehab, but they also got pregnant. The realities of South African violence and Daniel’s unhappiness had Tiffany heading back to America (via InTouch) to give birth to their daughter, leaving Ronald behind. The couple is said to be starting the visa process for Ronald to move the U.S., which will no doubt be lengthy and costly.
