'I Am Solo' Star Young-ja Captivates with Frugality and Unique Charm

Young-ja from the 30th season of 'I Am Solo' caught viewers' attention with her frugality and down-to-earth personality.

On the October 18th episode of the real dating show 'I Am SOLO,' aired on ENA and SBS Plus, the 'Egen Nam Teto Woman' special featured a one-on-one date between Young-ja and Young-sik.

During the episode, Young-ja displayed her 'Teto Woman' traits even while on a date. When Young-sik tried to open the car door for her, she politely declined, saying, "No, it's okay." MC Song Hae-na empathized, noting, "She doesn't like anything too cheesy."

While Young-sik was driving, Young-ja took charge, advising him to "keep your eyes on the road" and "slow down." Defconn humorously commented, "It's like she's giving a driving test," causing laughter.

Upon arriving at the date location, Young-ja shared her life philosophy, stating, "Honestly, I don't care much about worldly matters. In the vast universe, we're just tiny specks."

Young-sik expressed his admiration, saying, "In an era obsessed with trends, that's a really healthy mindset."

Young-ja also shared her 'bag philosophy,' revealing, "Even this bag is embarrassing; I usually carry an eco-bag or something similar. A bag is just for carrying things, not for show. As long as it's sturdy, it's fine. I even carry shopping bags or plastic bags," surprising everyone.

The production team confirmed through captions that the bag Young-ja carried was under 40,000 won (approximately $35).

The MCs joked, "Young-chul would go crazy if he saw this," referencing Young-chul from the 29th season, who famously said, "Women with luxury bags (like Chanel) are out," sparking laughter.

Young-ja's unexpected charm didn't stop there. She confessed to being a 'no-plan' traveler, often going on trips without booking accommodations, and even showed off a fish's tongue, displaying her quirky 4D personality. Young-sik laughed, saying, "We are really funny," and in a post-date interview, he hinted at his interest, stating, "I don't think I need to get to know anyone else," raising anticipation.

After the broadcast, viewers took to various entertainment communities and social media, commenting, "Plastic bags instead of eco-bags, what a twist!", "Young-chul should have been in the 30th season," "She puts the luxury bag controversy to rest," and "Her values seem admirable," among other reactions.

Jo Na-yeon, TenAsia Reporter nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr