Noona, You're My Woman 2 ends with sub-1% viewership ratings

KBS2's dating variety show 'Noona, You're My Woman 2', featuring Han Hye-jin as the main MC, has come to an end after bringing three real-life couples together. However, in terms of buzz and viewership ratings, it failed to meet expectations. Although the show displayed sincere encounters until the very end, it concluded the season by accepting the cold reality of viewership ratings in the 0% range.

In the final episode broadcast on the 29th, the 'real reunion' process was revealed, where the older women and younger men met again one week after their final choices. It was a method to confirm whether they had the will to continue their actual meetings rather than just ending with a simple choice.

The first couple to catch attention was 25-year-old soccer coach Lee Si-won and 12-years older Choi Yu-jin. Lee conveyed his sincerity to Choi, saying, "My feelings have built up step by step," and the two announced the birth of a 'twelve-year age gap couple' by choosing each other in the final selection.

However, the wall of reality was different from the broadcast. Choi, who was supposed to appear at the meeting place one week later, ultimately did not show up. Choi explained, "The choice felt heavier than I thought," adding, "I thought it was a process of getting to know each other lightly, but I felt sorry to Si-won because it meant being formalized as a couple."

This scene showed the gap between the fantasy held by dating variety shows and reality. While excitement and possibilities are created within the broadcast, the moment they transition into actual relationships, realistic problems such as age difference, social perception, and concerns about the future emerge.

On the other hand, three couples announced new beginnings.

Kim Jeong-won and Park Ji-hye continued their relationship by honestly sharing their anxieties and concerns about each other. Kim promised to show more of himself in the future, saying, "I haven't shown 100% yet," and Park also accepted his sincerity.

Lee Yun-so and Yoo Ho-rin overcame an 11-year age difference. Lee expressed his active feelings, saying, "I thought about you so much that I couldn't focus on my work," and Yoo also responded to his sincerity. Watching this, Han Hye-jin added laughter with a realistic reaction, saying, "They look so good together. I'm jealous."

Lee Yoo-jin and Lee Jin-young provided another moment of emotion. At the moment of reunion, Lee shed tears of relief and confessed, "I only thought about you for a week," and Lee Jin-young responded, "It was comfortable being with you, and I was thankful for how you took care of me."

Ultimately, three couples were formed. However, the program's report card was cold.

'Noona, You're My Woman 2' started with a 1.0% viewership rating in its first broadcast and showed a downward trend, dropping to 0.4% in July. The final episode also remained at 0.7%. Although it featured a stable host like Han Hye-jin and the interesting subject of older women and younger men, it is evaluated that it lacked the buzz to win the viewers' choice amidst the recent flood of competing dating reality shows.

In particular, the dating variety market has entered an era where the participants' characters, relationship narratives, and unpredictable conflicts and twists are more important than the simple 'birth of a couple.' While 'Noona, You're My Woman 2' focused on the sincere emotions and warm atmosphere of the participants, it had limits in leaving a strong impression on viewers who have become accustomed to stimulation and fast pacing.

Nevertheless, the program left a meaningful impact. This is because it highlighted love that transcends age, realistic concerns, and the process of choosing a relationship, showing the essence that 'romance is ultimately a matter between people.'

Although it left regrets in viewership ratings, the sincere moments shown by the three couples reaffirmed that dating variety shows are not made solely through competition and stimulation.