Season 25 of ‘I’m Solo’ has entered a new phase with ‘random dates’.
In the episode aired on the 26th, the real dating program ‘I’m SOLO’ on ENA and SBS Plus featured an unprecedented ‘random date’ where participants held hands and dated all day, shaking up the romance dynamics of ‘Solo Nara 25th Street’.
Previously, Youngsoo, who enjoyed a first date with Youngja, boasted in the shared living room where everyone gathered, saying, “I was so happy to date Youngja.” However, Youngja clearly drew a line, worried that they might end up looking like an official couple. Disappointed by Youngja’s distancing, Youngsoo shifted his focus, saying, “I want to get to know Hyunsook and Soonja tonight.” Youngsik, who was struggling after hearing from Mikyung, who had been his ‘only pick’, that he wanted to talk to others, sighed, “I don’t know what to do.” Shortly after, he expressed interest in Hyunsook, saying, “I should get to know other people.” However, Hyunsook, completely unaware of Youngsik’s feelings, called Youngho for a ‘1:1 conversation’.
Both Youngsoo and Youngsik, who had pursued Youngja and Mikyung respectively, found themselves in a ‘quagmire of worries’ and sat down to lament their situations. Youngsik declared, “I’m going to be the drummer today,” aiming to win the hearts of all the solo women, while Youngsoo joked, “Bro, are you going to get to know Soonja? Then I’ll go for Hyunsook!” Youngsik immediately went to the shared living room and boldly shouted, “Soonja, come out!” However, in front of Soonja, he took on a demeanor that seemed to seek advice, saying he was “abandoned by Mikyung.” Soonja comforted him, saying, “It seems like Mikyung is also interested in Youngsik.”
At the same time, Sangcheol naturally conversed with Youngja, who was sitting next to him, praising her reactions and saying, “She seems like a nice person. It seems clear that my first choice is (Soonja), but I don’t know how things will go from here.” Youngja responded with a ‘squinty smile’ saying, “I also wanted to talk a lot.” When Soonja entered, Sangcheol wiped his smile away and fell silent. Nevertheless, Youngja expressed her determination to pursue Sangcheol, saying, “Isn’t it just the beginning?”
The next morning, as soon as Youngsoo saw Hyunsook walking from afar, he expressed his interest by handing her a warm coffee. Even with Soonja in front of him, Sangcheol called Hyunsook to chat. He hinted at his interest by saying, “To be honest, you’re my second choice,” and Hyunsook candidly replied, “I’ve been choosing you from the beginning.” Sangcheol acknowledged, “It’s true that Soonja is the biggest part,” but kept the possibility open by saying, “But I don’t know how things will go.” When Sangcheol returned to the shared living room, he asked Youngja for a conversation, and Youngja boldly appealed, “I’ve never thought about anyone other than you, Sangcheol.”
Amid the chaotic love lines, the ‘random date’ began. This date involved gathering the solo women’s hands together, and the solo men would choose one hand to match. The production team shocked everyone by announcing a bold rule that “all men and women must hold hands during the date.” Immediately, Youngsoo successfully held Hyunsook’s hand, and Youngho also quickly chose Oksoon, saying, “Her skin tone looked like Oksoon’s.” Youngsik tried to hold Hyunsook’s hand, whom he wanted to get to know, but ended up matched with Youngja. Youngcheol held Mikyung’s hand, and Gwangsoo held Hyunsook’s hand. Soonja, wanting to be matched with Sangcheol, had been hiding her hand down, and her efforts paid off as she matched with Sangcheol. Seeing this, Youngsook lamented, “Is it ‘meant to be’? Are they really destined for each other?”
During the ‘random date’, Youngho boldly held Oksoon’s hand while driving to the date location. However, the romantic atmosphere was short-lived as Youngho became flustered by Oksoon’s comment, “I feel a bit disappointed that I can’t date anyone else,” and kept fidgeting. On the way back, he confessed, “I hope we can continue to hold hands,” and Oksoon reassured him, “If we make a final choice here, I think I would choose you.” Gwangsoo also naturally held Youngsook’s hand from the start of their date. The two enjoyed a sweet atmosphere while eating bread and coffee at a café. Youngsook brought up topics about science, like ‘gravity’, for Gwangsoo, who liked physics, and Gwangsoo flirted, asking, “When did you become pretty?” After a pleasant date, Gwangsoo showed his interest in Youngsook by saying, “I hope we have more opportunities to talk,” but Youngsook firmly stated, “I didn’t have any romantic feelings.”
Youngsoo did his best to appeal during his date with Hyunsook. However, their conversation codes were misaligned. They also had distinctly different thoughts about the ‘meaning of the final choice’, and Hyunsook hoped, “Didn’t I give him a hint that I don’t have romantic feelings for him?” Meanwhile, Youngsoo was conflicted, saying, “In my head, Hyunsook is 100, but in my heart, Youngja is 100.” In the second date, Sangcheol and Soonja radiated ‘couple chemistry’ just by holding hands and laughing. However, in the preview released shortly after, Sangcheol was seen wavering towards Youngja, while Youngsook also hinted, “Can I talk to Sangcheol again?” signaling the start of a ‘love triangle’. Additionally, Youngsik was desperately looking for Mikyung after the ‘random date’, while Mikyung sweetly called out to Youngcheol, “Honey, look at the moon,” raising curiosity about the romantic developments to unfold next week.
The romance of Season 25 continues on April 2 at 10:30 PM on ENA and SBS Plus in ‘I’m SOLO’.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
