Kang Min-young comforts Kim Ryun-gi during chemo: 'You'll come back'

On the SBS dating reality program 'Love Against Time,' Kang Min-young left a deep impression on viewers by sharing her own experience of battling illness to comfort Kim Ryun-gi, whose physical strength and weight have declined due to chemotherapy.

In the fifth episode of SBS's 'Love Against Time,' which aired on August 31, the date between defense industry researcher Kim Ryun-gi and clothing mall CEO Kang Min-young was revealed. The most striking aspect of their meeting was not the typical romantic conversation, but rather a candid discussion regarding Kim's health status and the resulting psychological changes.

At the start of the date, Kang asked Kim about his physical condition. Kim confessed that his energy levels had dropped significantly due to the effects of chemotherapy and explained his current treatment process.

"I'm supposed to do eight sessions, but I've only done four. I'm halfway through," he stated. He continued, "The important thing is that I feel like my weight is decreasing and my energy is fading, which is difficult." He hinted that not only the treatment itself, but also the weight loss and loss of stamina, were affecting his daily activities and interpersonal relationships.

In response, Kang brought up her own experience. "I also dropped to 28kg," she recalled. "I didn't realize it then, but my legs were like chopsticks. I lost weight like a sick person." However, she comforted Kim by suggesting that these changes are not permanent, saying, "But then I gained it back. Once it's over, you'll come back."

Kim found solace in her words, saying, "Thank you for saying that. Since I don't know yet."

Kang's comfort extended beyond physical changes. She addressed Kim's psychological withdrawal, noting that during a battle with illness, meeting people can become a burden and one might become passive in revealing themselves.

"When you're sick, you become quieter and more cautious when meeting people. That means you can't show your charm," she said, lightening the mood with a joke, "But if you act like you are now, you can date anyone." She also spoke about the psychological state of losing confidence during illness or treatment based on her experience, saying, "At that time, your self-esteem is low. You end up blaming yourself."

She then offered advice to help him view himself positively rather than focusing on his shortcomings: "Once it passes, you should have a bit of a 'prince' or 'princess' complex. Just think, 'Oh, they don't like me? Too bad, they missed out!' and try to keep a comfortable mind."

This scene is noteworthy because it showed a relationship of a different nature from the excitement or competitive dynamics commonly seen in dating reality programs. A partner's charm in a relationship is not formed solely by appearance or active pursuit, but can also be revealed by how they stand by the other person during their most vulnerable moments.

In particular, Kim is currently burdened both physically and psychologically due to his chemotherapy. Kang built empathy by sharing her past experiences, offering a sense of "I have gone through similar times" instead of one-sided consolation. Their conversation went beyond romantic emotions to show the essential aspects of a relationship: empathy and psychological support.

The studio cast also reacted positively to Kang's attitude. Choi Ye-na marveled, "It would be so reassuring to have a friend like Kang Min-young," while Jung Yong-hwa evaluated, "It feels like a good date that boosts self-esteem, rather than just a simple date."

'Love Against Time' is a dating reality show that captures the process of participants, who have gone through various life experiences, finding new connections. Rather than the spontaneity and competitiveness of youthful romance, the accumulated experiences, scars, and realistic attitudes toward relationships serve as important narrative elements.

This date between Kim and Kang clearly demonstrated those characteristics. Rather than claiming to fully understand someone's pain, she brought up her own experience to ease his anxiety and encouraged him not to judge himself based only on his current state.

It remains to be seen how much Kim's body and daily life will change after completing his chemotherapy. However, the words Kang offered during the broadcast were less a guarantee of the treatment's outcome and more an encouragement to ensure that the person going through a hard time does not lose their sense of self-worth. It was a moment where unexpected sincerity emerged in a dating program.