Heartfelt Moments and Emotional Turmoil on SBS's 'Matchmaking Retreat'

TV personality Seo Jang-hoon empathized with a male contestant on 'Matchmaking Retreat' by saying, "It feels like I'm looking at myself."

On the episode of SBS's variety show 'Matchmaking Retreat' aired on the 29th, mothers who had previously disappeared made a surprise return, leading to unexpected matchmaking dates that stirred the hearts of the participants as they approached their final choices.

The dates were initiated by the men's choices. Jo Eun-nae and Seo Han-gyeol, Jang Min-cheol and Kim Hyun-jin, and Kim Myo-jin with Moon Se-hoon and Lee Seung-hak were matched for the outing, while Kim Jin-joo received no votes once again. The seemingly ordinary outing turned out to be a 'matchmaking date' with both mothers joining the meal.

The matchmaking date between 1995-born lawyer Seo Han-gyeol and 1988-born announcer Jo Eun-nae drew attention with its tense atmosphere. Jo Eun-nae's mother expressed her delight upon seeing Seo Han-gyeol, while Seo Han-gyeol's mother maintained a stern expression, heightening the tension.

Moon Se-hoon and Lee Seung-hak, who both chose Kim Myo-jin, went on a date together. In the car, Moon Se-hoon asked, "Do you have lip balm?" and Kim Myo-jin applied it to his lips. Watching the left-out Lee Seung-hak, Seo Jang-hoon commented, "It breaks my heart. It's like he's not even a nephew brought along on a date," and added, "It feels like I'm looking at myself," drawing laughter by comparing himself to the situation.

That night, Seo Han-gyeol and Jo Eun-nae had an honest conversation. Seo Han-gyeol admitted, "My mother's idea of a spouse might not perfectly align with mine," while Jo Eun-nae tried to ease the pressure by saying, "Don't take our choices too seriously." However, Seo Han-gyeol expressed his complex feelings, saying, "I don't think the choice will feel light." In a candid interview, Seo Han-gyeol shared, "If things go wrong while negotiating marriage, it might feel like a waste of her time more than mine. Honestly, it's really tough."

On the final choice day, Seo Han-gyeol was seen writing a letter and shedding tears, causing a stir. When his mother asked, "Is it the last letter?" he replied, "I don't feel good," and Kim Yo-han expressed concern, saying, "It doesn't seem like a good sign."

As the final choices approached, the emotional turmoil among the participants heightened interest. Kim Hyun-jin made a direct confession to Kim Hyun-jun, and Kim Myo-jin found herself deeply torn between the attraction to her peer Moon Se-hoon and the comfort offered by the younger Lee Seung-hak.


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