Controversy Surrounds 'I Am SOLO' as Cast Members Face Criminal Allegations

The popular South Korean reality show 'I Am SOLO,' aired on ENA and SBS Plus, is once again at the center of public scrutiny due to controversies involving its cast members. Allegations have surfaced that some participants have been involved in serious crimes, including sexual assault and property damage, leading to growing criticism of the show's vetting process.

On October 24, the Seoul Mapo Police Station announced the arrest of a man in his 30s, identified only as Mr. Park, on charges of quasi-rape. Park is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in a parking lot in Seoul's Seogyo-dong area on October 21. Park had gained recognition through his appearances on 'I Am SOLO' and its spin-off, 'I Am SOLO: Love Continues.'

Although Park's full name has not been disclosed, speculation has arisen online that he might be '25th Season Young-chul,' as a social media account under that name was suddenly made private. Neither the show's producers nor the police have officially confirmed the identity of the accused.

In response to the growing controversy, the producers of 'I Am SOLO' issued a statement via their YouTube channel, 'Village Chief Entertainment TV.' They assured viewers that they would take measures to minimize discomfort and edit or remove the accused from previously aired episodes. The producers expressed regret and acknowledged their responsibility, stating, "We apologize for the inconvenience caused to viewers and will take steps to prevent such incidents in the future."

On the same day, another former participant, identified as Mr. Choi, who appeared as '10th Season Jung-sook,' was legally penalized. The Daegu District Court sentenced Choi to a fine of 7 million won for assault, insult, and property damage. Choi was charged with hitting a man six times and damaging his phone during an altercation over a taxi in Daegu last October.

The controversies surrounding 'I Am SOLO' are not new. Last October, suspicions arose that '23rd Season Jung-sook' was the same person as a thief named Park, who was arrested in 2011 for stealing approximately 3 million won during a supposed arranged meeting. The producers responded by editing out the participant from the broadcast and issued an apology.

The repeated controversies have led to increasing criticism from viewers. Some have labeled the show as a "criminal breeding ground" rather than a dating program, while others have called for a complete overhaul of the vetting process. "If it's difficult to assess people, hire professionals or find alternative solutions," one viewer suggested.

Concerns about participant vetting have been ongoing. In a 2022 press conference, the show's director, Nam Gyu-hong, stated that the vetting process was a priority and involved careful consideration. However, the recurrence of such issues raises questions about the effectiveness of the current system.

As the influence of television continues to grow, mere apologies are insufficient to address the core issues. The producers must acknowledge the flaws in their system and make tangible improvements to the vetting process. Failure to break the cycle of controversy could result in a permanent loss of viewer trust in 'I Am SOLO.'

By Se-yoon Jung, TenAsia Reporter yoon@tenasia.co.kr