“I wanted to become a star”: ‘I Am SOLO’ Season 24 star Ok-sun reveals true motive

Ok-sun, a participant from Season 24 of the ENA and SBS Plus dating reality show 'I Am SOLO', has revealed her reason for appearing on a program predicated on marriage despite being a non-marriage believer. Her answer was unexpected. She stated that her goal was not dating or marriage, but that she appeared "because I wanted to become a star." As recent controversies involving unpaid appearance fees, production team clarifications, and lawsuits against malicious commenters continue to unfold, Ok-sun's bold statements are once again drawing significant attention.

Ok-sun recently appeared on the YouTube channel 'Channel Juin Bujaejung' to share her views on dating and her background for appearing on 'I Am SOLO'.

Revealing that she had dated a man for about two to three years in the past, she stated, "That boyfriend asked me to marry him, but I was a non-marriage believer." Since she held a negative stance toward marriage itself, questions naturally followed regarding her reason for appearing on 'I Am SOLO'.

'I Am SOLO' is structured such that men and women considering marriage live together for a certain period to find a spouse. When asked why a non-marriage believer like herself appeared on a program aimed at marriage, Ok-sun answered without hesitation, "Because I wanted to become a star."

This is a remarkably blunt response compared to typical dating show participants who explain that they "wanted to find true love" or "wanted to meet someone to marry." However, considering the reality that dating shows function as media platforms that expand the individual recognition and public influence of participants beyond being mere meeting grounds, Ok-sun's remarks can be seen as vividly exposing another dimension of the program.

In particular, Ok-sun has actually secured significant public recognition since the broadcast. Participants of 'I Am SOLO' often expand their fields of activity through SNS, YouTube, and various entertainment content even after the show ends. In this sense, the program serves as a platform for finding romantic partners while simultaneously acting as a kind of media gateway for ordinary people to transition into public figures.

Along with Ok-sun's remarks, the recent controversy regarding unpaid appearance fees is also regaining interest.

On the 5th, Ok-sun claimed via her SNS, "There is an appearance fee I haven't received for over a year," asserting that she appeared on a certain program twice but has yet to be paid. While she did not disclose the specific name of the program at the time, programs she has appeared in, including 'I Am SOLO', 'I Am SOLO, Love Continues', and 'Jijigo Bokneun Yeohaeng', were mentioned.

As the controversy grew, Chonjang Entertainment, the production company of 'I Am SOLO', released an official statement saying, "Ok-sun of Season 24 has received the full amount of her appearance fees for Chonjang Entertainment programs." With this clarification, they drew a line regarding the appearance fee issues specifically for programs produced by Chonjang Entertainment.

Since the broadcast, Ok-sun has also been actively responding to malicious comments directed at her. Recently, she revealed that she had filed lawsuits against malicious commenters, stating, "The environment has been purified a lot since the lawsuits, and I have received many apologies." She even made remarks to the effect of "malicious comments are better than no comments," appearing to accept the controversy itself as a form of public interest.

Such moves align with the recent trend where 'I Am SOLO' participants expand their activities as influencers and broadcasters after the show. Especially in the case of participants with strong personalities, the characters formed during the dating process continue to be consumed after the broadcast, developing into a "celebrity brand."

Ok-sun, having made her name through Season 24 of ENA and SBS Plus's 'I Am SOLO', is now appearing in various broadcasts and YouTube content.

Ultimately, Ok-sun's confession that she "wanted to become a star" cannot be viewed merely as a sudden outburst. This is because entertainment programs that put marriage and dating at the forefront actually function as venues that provide participants with new social capital and recognition. Ok-sun's honest remarks are once again drawing attention to the post-broadcast activities of 'I Am SOLO' participants and the industrial nature of dating reality shows.