(Seoul = News1) Reporter Jang Areum = The 31st season of ‘I Am Solo’ is enveloped in uncomfortable emotions rather than love lines. With Soon-ja experiencing extreme stress and stomach pain, eventually needing an ambulance to go to the hospital, the reactions of some female participants are again under scrutiny. In particular, Young-sook’s explosive comment in the preview, “Should I also cry out?” has turned viewers’ reactions colder.
In the SBS Plus/ENA broadcast of ‘I Am Solo’ aired on the 13th, a fierce super date ticket competition unfolded around Kyung-soo, who resembles Gong Yoo. While Kyung-soo initially won the super date ticket, Soon-ja and Young-sook competed intensely in a running mission. Soon-ja took the lead, but Young-sook soon overtook her, making it a tense race. As they neared the finish line, Young-sook got confused about the direction, hesitated, and eventually fell, allowing Soon-ja to win the super date ticket. Despite falling, Young-sook assessed herself, “I looked so cool.”
After the mission, the solo participants shared afterthoughts in their rooms. However, the gossip about Soon-ja from Young-sook, Ok-soon, and Jung-hee’s resentment continued from the previous broadcast. Showing her scraped hands, Young-sook remarked to Ok-soon, “Is it a scar of glory?” When Ok-soon called it “cool,” Young-sook agreed, “I think it’s cool too.” Ok-soon added, “You are our number one in our hearts, Young-sook,” and Jung-hee chimed in, “It was really disappointing.” Young-sook jokingly commented, “I think someone tripped me,” which made MC Song Hae-na exclaim in anger, “No, why are you like this? Be careful with your words.”
Soon-ja overheard all of this conversation. Sitting behind the door with her head on her knees, she struggled. In an interview with the production team, she tearfully said, “I ended up by the door inside the room without realizing it because I could hear the talk.” Soon-ja’s sobs woke Yang-ja, and Soon-ja confided, “My heart is so heavy” and “I’m stressed, and my upper abdomen hurts.” Eventually, she left the room, clutching the sofa in continued pain, eliciting sympathy.
At that moment, Kyung-soo came to find Soon-ja. Having promised to use the super date ticket on Young-sook during the previous broadcast, he felt awkward having to relay this to Soon-ja. Seeing her in pain, Kyung-soo hesitated to speak. Soon-ja reassured him, “It’s not because of Kyung-soo,” without disclosing her distressing reasons and health condition.
Conscious of people coming and going, Kyung-soo suggested they talk in Young-sook, Ok-soon, and Jung-hee’s room. He cautiously said, “It feels a bit selfish,” and then confessed, “I’d like Soon-ja to use the super date ticket on me.” Soon-ja replied resignedly, “You’re going to use it on Young-sook anyway. Do what you want.” Kyung-soo pressed further, “Can’t you use the date ticket on me?” Soon-ja stated, “Whether or not Kyung-soo doesn’t use it is his choice,” and she began to express pain from ongoing discomfort, making Kyung-soo finally realize the seriousness.
Later, Yang-ja came to check on Soon-ja, followed by Jung-hee, who entered the room belatedly. However, seeing Soon-ja in pain, Jung-hee quickly exited without asking if she was okay. Outside, she told Young-sook and Jeong-sook, “Soon-ja is crying.” Young-sook reacted, “What now?” “Scary,” “Did she get hurt running?” An ambulance, called by the production team, arrived, and Soon-ja was taken to the hospital with them.
Watching Soon-ja suffer, Kyung-soo confided in Young-sook, “Seeing that highly supportive person struggle so much, I feel I need to focus on one person,” deciding not to use the super date ticket on her. In the next preview, Young-sook expressed her disappointment to Jung-hee and Young-sik, questioning, “Why did I run? I ran to use it on her,” and vented, “Should I also cry out?” However, Kyung-soo was later seen meeting Young-sook, creating a pink-hued atmosphere between them again, causing confusion.
After the broadcast, viewers reacted with comments like “It was uncomfortable that they seemed focused only on competition despite someone being sent to the hospital,” “It was hard to watch Soon-ja continue to stand alone,” “There should have been minimum consideration,” “PTSD alert,” “It’s absurd she claims someone tripped her when she fell by herself,” “It’s too aggressive,” and “Scary.” The ongoing gossip and competitiveness despite Soon-ja’s distress and the sensitivity towards Kyung-soo’s changing decisions over her health further fueled viewers’ discontent. Some even stated, “This season of ‘I Am Solo’ is the most uncomfortable yet,” indicating the intense backlash against the conflict patterns witnessing in this season.