Reality TV Couple Faces Housing Market Challenges Amid Rising Prices

The couple from 'I Am Solo' Season 26, Hyunsook and Youngsik, are facing challenges in securing a newlywed home amidst skyrocketing real estate prices and strict loan regulations.

On Hyunsook's YouTube channel 'Honey Day,' a video titled 'I Am Solo Youngsik & Hyunsook Newlywed Couple's Dream of Home Ownership / Buying, Jeonse, or Monthly Rent??? (Tears)' was uploaded.

In the video, SBS Plus and ENA's 'I Am Solo' Season 26 participants Youngsik and Hyunsook shared their complex feelings about the soaring house prices as they prepare to move.

With their current lease ending in late March, the couple is contemplating various options, including buying, jeonse (a Korean rental system), or renting before purchasing.

Hyunsook mentioned considering taking out a loan for an apartment deposit, buying a home within their budget through 'Youngkul' (a term for stretching finances), or investing while living on rent.

Youngsik sighed as he noted that the apartment prices in the area they were watching have nearly doubled from 600-700 million won to 1.2-1.3 billion won in just six months.

The couple lamented the unfortunate timing, stating, "When we started dating in May 2025, the house prices were stable, but they began to rise sharply as we started preparing for marriage in August." Hyunsook described the current situation as "the worst time with intensified loan regulations and soaring house prices," expressing a sense of relative deprivation as a non-homeowner.

Youngsik also expressed his hope for the housing bubble to burst, drawing a parallel to the recent trend of a specific dessert, 'Doojjonku,' whose prices have started to decline. The couple visited properties near Yongin Suji-gu Office Station and Seopangyo, only to find a scarcity of jeonse options, leaving Hyunsook visibly frustrated.

During their journey to secure a home, the couple expressed envy towards their fellow Season 26 participant, Kyungsoo, who reportedly owns a high-priced apartment in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Youngsik referred to Kyungsoo as "the true winner," with Hyunsook echoing his sentiments.

Although they did not end up as a couple on the show, Hyunsook and Youngsik developed a romantic relationship after the show concluded and got married last month. Despite the real-world challenge of finding a place to live, they are leaning on each other for support and striving for stability. Hyunsook shared that she felt a sense of maturity and stability while house hunting with her husband, maintaining a positive outlook.

Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TenAsia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr