Exciting Returns and New Beginnings on 'I Am SOLO: Love Continues'

'I Am SOLO' Season 24's Soon-ja and Season 13's Sang-cheol, a doctor of Korean medicine, have returned to the show 'I Am SOLO: Love Continues'. Previously, Soon-ja from Season 24 made headlines by revealing she is a vegetarian.

On the episode aired on the 12th, SBS Plus and ENA's variety show 'I Am SOLO: Love Continues' (hereafter referred to as 'Solo Love') showcased the beginning of the fifth 'One More Time Special' at the Solo Guesthouse in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The first solo man to appear was the handsome doctor Sang-cheol from Season 13. With a sharper jawline, he shared in an interview with the production team, "I decided to remain good friends with Ok-soon from Season 13. After 'I Am SOLO', I was too busy with work to meet anyone. Now, as I approach 38, I feel more desperate than during 'Solo Nation'." Next, Young-chul from Season 15 arrived at the Solo Guesthouse. He had become a final couple with Young-sook from Season 15 but admitted, "There were parts where we didn't match, so the relationship couldn't develop. This time, I'll try harder and give it my all."

The appearance of Young-ho from Season 18, who had been on both 'Solo Nation' and 'Solo Guesthouse', surprised everyone. In 'Solo Nation', he was a couple with Jung-sook from Season 18, and in 'Solo Guesthouse', with Jung-sook from Season 15. When asked by the production team if he seems to like Jung-sook types, he said, "I used to like a graceful image, but now I'm drawn to cute puppy-like faces. This is the place where I can give my all to love, so I returned to pour my heart out sincerely."

Young-sik from Season 20, who gained popularity as the original 'tofu face', appeared after about two years. He had been a final couple with Hyun-sook from Season 20 and shared, "I lost about 10kg through exercise. I met Hyun-sook from Season 20 in real life, but we weren't meant to be, so we broke up. This time, instead of focusing too much on one person, I want to get to know everyone better," he laughed. Lastly, Young-chul from Season 27 appeared in a dandy style. Known for his straightforward affection towards Jung-sook from Season 27, he said, "I was almost like a male villain because I was too sincere back then. I want to meet a good person with sincerity. However, this time, I won't mistake kindness for affection and will think more carefully."

Among the solo women, Soon-ja from Season 17 was the first to enter. Having already been through 'Solo Guesthouse', she expressed her thoughts on returning after a year, "I think this will be my last time, so I'll be more honest." Next, the 'vegetarian' Soon-ja from Season 24 appeared. In an interview with the production team, she shared, "After 'I Am SOLO', some people felt a barrier because I'm a vegetarian or were burdened because I was on TV, so I only got to know a few people."

Regarding Kwang-soo from Season 24, with whom she became a final couple, she said, "We got to know each other a bit, but it fizzled out. I'll do my best here without regrets." Notably, she pointed out Young-sik from Season 20 as the man she wanted to meet at 'Solo Guesthouse', and when he appeared to help with her luggage, she couldn't hide her excitement. In front of the production team, she said, "This is serious. I'm a woman who only knows how to go straight," hinting at her straightforward approach.

Soon-ja from Season 25 also appeared with a bright smile in a white coat. She had been a couple with Sang-cheol from Season 25 in 'Solo Nation' and said, "We got to know each other well in reality, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. This time, I want to talk to more people and choose carefully," showing her changed mindset. Young-ja from Season 25, who gained attention as the 'Pearl Goddess', entered 'Solo Guesthouse' with her father's send-off. Flaunting a pure visual with long hair, she said, "I took time to reflect on myself after the show. This time, I want to get to know people carefully and convey my true feelings."

Lastly, Hyun-sook from Season 27 appeared in a calm beige coat, contrasting her flashy past fashion. She commented, "The floral dress I wore during 'I Am SOLO' was shocking even to me. I thought, 'I need to change,' so I threw away three or four big trash bags of clothes. This time, I'll work hard without a moment to rest."

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