Her down-to-earth demeanor has won her fans, but her unique statements in unaired footage have sparked heated debates among viewers.
Recently, the YouTube channel 'Chonjang Entertainment TV' released a video titled "[I Am SOLO]※Unaired Footage※ 30th Season_ I'm Just a Speck in the Universe...★ Young-ja, the Extreme T with No Interest in the World."
The video features Young-ja in conversation with other cast members of the SBS Plus & ENA variety show 'I Am SOLO.' Young-ja's distinct life philosophy, which differs from conventional sensibilities, caught viewers' attention.
Previously, 'I Am SOLO' aired a scene where Young-ja went on a date with Young-sik. During the date, Young-ja candidly expressed, "Honestly, I have no interest in the world. I'm just a speck in the vast universe. Life is short and small," revealing her life philosophy.
Young-ja also made headlines for carrying a $40 bag. She explained, "I only carry eco-bags. The purpose of a bag is not for show but to carry things, so as long as it's sturdy, it's fine. I even carry shopping bags and plastic bags."
MCs Defconn, Song Hae-na, and Lee Yi-kyung praised her, noting that Young-chul, who previously made headlines for his "Chanel bag out" comment in the 29th season, would appreciate her stance.
In the unaired footage, Young-ja reacted with surprise to cast members who cried during movies, saying, "You cry watching movies? I don't even watch YouTube or Netflix," and expressed skepticism about crying over the drama 'The Foolish Love,' stating, "I haven't watched it, but I don't think I'd cry even if I did." Her remarks left other cast members, who admitted to crying during movies, puzzled.
Young-ja's statements contrast with her earlier $40 bag date, leading to various interpretations among netizens. At the time, Young-ja was praised as a 'sensible participant' for her practical view that "a bag is just for carrying things," and her preference for plastic bags.
However, since the release of the unaired footage, comments on the video have been divided. Some praise her for living a consistent life of minimalism, while others question if her 'cool' persona is an attempt to stand out. The humble image she cultivated with her $40 bag has now become a new topic of discussion due to her 'unexpected remarks.'
Na-yeon Cho, TenAsia Reporter nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr