KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
Kim Se-ah's Insightful Analysis
Kim Se-ah from TenAsia delves deeply into entertainment industry issues.

The sequel failed to live up to its predecessor. KBS's variety show 'Old Meeting Pursuit' (hereafter 'OMP') Season 2 concluded with disappointment, falling short in both buzz and ratings compared to Season 1. Not a single couple emerged by the end.

The finale aired on the 21st, featuring notable personalities like singers Lee Ki-chan and Wax, and comedians Shin Bong-sun and Lee Sang-jun. Despite the star-studded lineup, ratings started at 2% and dropped to 1% by the end. Typically, dating shows peak in ratings during the finale, but Season 2 only managed a 1.9% rating, indicating a decline in viewer interest and anticipation for couple pairings.
KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
The main issue was authenticity. Season 1 captivated audiences with genuine couple formations like Lee Young-ja and Hwang Dong-joo, and Kim Sook and Koo Bon-seung, who continued to engage viewers post-show. However, criticisms of 'staged romance' eroded trust, and Season 2 couldn't escape this backlash.

Many felt the narrative was lacking compared to Season 1. The first season's relationships developed naturally with believable emotional arcs. In contrast, Season 2's participants had insufficient time to connect, and familiar faces like Lee Ki-chan and Wax didn't form any notable bonds, leaving viewers wanting more.
KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
KBS's 'Old Meeting Pursuit' Season 2 Falls Short: Can Season 3 Redeem Itself?
Season 3, set to premiere on the 28th, faces a challenging start. With familiar names like singer Solbi, Hwangbo, and actor Lee Kyu-han announced, concerns arise over the lack of format changes from previous seasons.

The biggest viewer disappointment with 'OMP' is the lack of authenticity. The core appeal of dating shows lies in watching genuine emotions and narratives unfold, but Season 2 failed to deliver this experience. With a younger cast in Season 3, there are fears it may lean more towards entertainment than a true dating show.

Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr