'I'm SOLO' Mother Single Special... Sangcheol Gains Popularity, Youngho 0 Votes → Unexpected Performance

ENA and SBS Plus’s real dating program ″I am SOLO″ Season 33’s lifelong single special showed unexpected love lines among the contestants in the first broadcast. In the episode aired on the 5th, twelve lifelong single men and women of Season 33 entered ″Solo Country No. 33″ in Muju, Jeonbuk, and had their first meeting. Each contestant openly shared the reasons why they have been lifelong singles. Youngsoo explained that he focused on math and foreign language studies, while Youngho said he was so absorbed in work that he had no chance to meet the opposite sex. Youngsik revealed that he is a racing driver and coach who grew up in the Philippines as a KATUSA soldier and said it was difficult for him to approach people, to the point of eating alone during school days. Youngchul said he concentrated on work to cover tuition, living expenses, and sports costs, and Kwangsoo said he hadn’t thought about dating for 31 years and had once been told by a friend that he might be asexual. Sangchul said he had few opportunities to meet the opposite sex and felt awkward in front of women he liked, making dating difficult. The female contestants also shared their stories. Youngsook said she postponed dating to focus on her career and studies, and Jungsook revealed she had lived abroad for about 10 years but had no dating experience. Sunja explained that she had dated for about three months eight years ago but broke up due to lack of romantic feelings. Youngja expressed confidence, saying she had completed marriage preparations but had no partner, and Oksun said she decided to appear on the show out of a sense of crisis that she might remain a lifelong single forever. Hyunsook confessed that although she liked many men, she never expressed her feelings and only suffered emotionally. In the first impression selection, Sangchul received three votes, becoming the ″unanimous male,″ chosen by Youngja, Jungsook, and Hyunsook. Sangchul said, ″It’s something I’ve never experienced in my life.″ On the other hand, Youngho and Kwangsoo received no votes. Youngsook chose Youngsoo, who helped carry her luggage; Jungsook chose Sangchul, who tried to lighten the mood; Sunja chose Youngsik, who helped with her luggage; Oksun chose Youngchul, who naturally collected trash; and Hyunsook chose Sangchul. However, the atmosphere changed on the way to the dormitory. When Sangchul struggled to load the three women’s luggage into his car, Youngho, who had received zero votes, stepped forward and offered to load their luggage into his car. Hyunsook expressed her favor, saying Youngho was ″generous and considerate.″ After arriving at the dorm, Youngho volunteered to lead the atmosphere by conducting a liar game, attracting the attention of Sunja and Youngja. Youngsik delivered welcome gifts and bottled water to the women’s dorm, earning Youngsook’s admiration, and Youngsook showed interest in Youngsik by volunteering for the grocery shopping team. In the grocery shopping vehicle, Youngsik and Hyunsook naturally continued a conversation about movies and foreign dramas. Seeing this, Youngsook thought the two seemed to get along well and decided to keep other possibilities in mind. At the dorm, Youngsoo handed out candies he had prepared to the contestants and took care of Youngsook, who was not feeling well. During dinner, when Youngho said he wanted to eat bibimmyeon, Youngja made it for him, and Youngho expressed his gratitude, saying, ″Thank you so much.″ Sunja showed interest in Youngho but had difficulty approaching him easily. In the preview at the end of the broadcast, Sunja was seen initiating a conversation with Youngho, and the self-introductions of the Season 33 contestants were teased.