The Emotional Journey of Solo Girls and Men in ‘I’m SOLO’
The recent episode of SBS Plus and ENA’s real dating program “I’m SOLO” captured the attention of viewers with the emotional depth and candid conversations between the solo participants. The 27th gathering, held in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, featured a segment called “Introduction Time,” where both men and women shared their personal stories, aspirations, and even some light-hearted moments.
During the session, the solo girls discussed their nicknames, which sparked some amusing exchanges. One of the highlights was when Xun-ja mentioned that she initially thought she was Ok-soon, leading to a playful conversation with Young-sook. Young-sook humorously added that Hyun-sook also thought she was Ok-soon, creating a lighthearted atmosphere among the group. This moment showcased the camaraderie and warmth that often emerges during such gatherings.
In the “Choose First Impression” segment, the solo men expressed their preferences by selecting their “One Pick.” Several men, including Young-soo, Young-ho, Kwang-soo, and Sang-cheol, chose Jeong-suk, presenting her with a painting that reflected their personal styles. Meanwhile, Young-cheol picked Ok-soon, and Young-sik chose Sun-ja. The interactions between the participants were filled with emotion, especially when Youngsik and Soonja exchanged smiles, creating a sense of connection and excitement.
The following morning, Young-sik and Jung-sook, who won the “morning date” through a lucky bag selection, enjoyed a bibimbap meal together. During the date, Young-sik hinted that his second priority was Jung-sook, and she responded with enthusiasm, indicating a growing attraction. Their interaction set the tone for the rest of the event, as the participants continued to share their thoughts and feelings.
As the “Introduction Time” progressed, the solo men revealed their backgrounds and aspirations. Young-soo, born in 1986, shared his experience as an administrator specializing in food licensing after organizing his business during the pandemic. He emphasized the importance of being able to travel up to two hours for long-distance relationships. Young-ho, a graduate from Y University of Mechanical Engineering, spoke about his ideal partner and his desire to get married by the end of the year or the next.
Young-sik, a civil servant working in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, highlighted his need for a physically and economically strong partner, acknowledging the challenges of long-distance relationships. Young-cheol, who works for a Busan cloud IT company, expressed his preference for someone with a “pretty T-zone” and the ability to give birth. Kwang-soo, a general practitioner at a skin care hospital, shared his Christian faith and hobbies, while Sang-cheol, an office worker at Korea Electric Power Corporation, talked about his dream of marriage and the difficulties of long-distance relationships.
The solo women also shared their careers and personal lives. Young-sook, an Australian national working as a marketer for a foreign medical device company, revealed her love for reading and hiking. Jung-sook, working in Pohang for a company related to secondary batteries, and Sun-ja, a B2G manager connecting people with disabilities to companies, each brought unique perspectives to the conversation. Xunzi, a 24-year-old, addressed concerns about “no birth” and emphasized her independence, while Young-ja, working for the Korea International Cooperation Agency, spoke about her upcoming two-year stint abroad.
Ok-soon, a fashion designer working remotely for a U.S. company, highlighted the convenience of her job for future relationships. Hyun-sook, a sales representative at a foreign pharmaceutical company, shared her hobbies and confidence in handling challenging situations.
As the “self-introduction time” concluded, several participants expressed their intentions regarding long-distance relationships. Young-soo and Sang-cheol, who were interested in Jeong-suk, decided to step back due to the distance. Jung-sook also indicated her willingness to move on, stating that forcing a long-distance relationship is not fair. In one-on-one conversations, participants discussed their concerns and feelings, revealing the complexities of forming connections in such a setting.
The episode ended with a trailer that left viewers curious about the next broadcast. Jung-sook expressed her emotions about the changes in the introduction process, and the solo girls’ heartfelt cries raised anticipation for what’s to come.