'I Am SOLO' Season 33 Yeong-sik Gains Realizations Only After Failing to Form a Couple

Yeong-sik from Season 33 of 'I Am SOLO' left meaningful reflections after the broadcast ended. Having expressed his feelings to Yeong-suk during the final selection but failing to form a couple, he looked back on the five months of filming and broadcasting, stating, "I learned and realized many things." He also drew attention by cautiously asking viewers not to assume that the image shown on the broadcast is his entire self.

Recently, Yeong-sik posted a long message on his SNS, saying, "Five months have passed from the filming of 'I Am SOLO' to the live broadcast, and it has already become autumn," while expressing his gratitude to the production team and the participants. He expressed his thanks to the directors, PDs, and staff who were with him from the pre-interviews to the live broadcast, saying, "I am grateful to PD Nam for giving me an opportunity that may only happen once in a lifetime."

Recalling the filming at the time, Yeong-sik said, "Thanks to everyone who worked hard in the heat during the day and the cold at night, our Season 33 could shine." In particular, he also honestly revealed the reason why he appeared on the program. It was not only his desire to find a partner to be with but also the suggestion of his parents.

He explained, "I decided to appear after empathizing with my parents' suggestion to find out what kind of person I am—the person I see, the person the participants see, the person the MCs see, and the person the viewers see." Ultimately, this means he accepted his appearance on 'I Am SOLO' not as a simple search for a dating partner, but as an opportunity to reflect on himself.

However, as his image was fully revealed through the broadcast, there was also regret. Yeong-sik confessed, "I approached it with the mindset of doing my best with all my heart, but there were many lacking aspects," and "I learned and realized many things through this experience." He continued, "I will continue to make steady efforts to become a more mature person who fixes what needs to be fixed while not losing my true self."

In particular, the part where he said, "I would be grateful if you could generously understand that the image shown through the broadcast is only a part of us and not our everything," is read as a message mindful of the viewers' gaze. Given the nature of dating reality shows, where a person's image is delivered through limited time and editing, it is a request not to equate the character on screen with the actual person.

Yeong-sik also showed affection for the Season 33 participants he spent six days and five nights with. He said, "All the Season 33 members I have come to know since then are precious friends and warm-hearted, good people," and "I cheer for all Season 33 members to meet good connections." He explained that although joy and sorrow diverged as they chose or were not chosen by each other on the show, they remained colleagues who shared joys and sorrows after filming ended.

The photos he released together also captured a much changed appearance of Yeong-sik after the broadcast. Wearing a black short-sleeved T-shirt and holding a mobile phone in front of a mirror, he drew attention with a hairstyle that was much shorter and neater than during the broadcast. In the following photos, the appearance of the Season 33 male participants gathering in one place, holding glasses and smiling brightly, along with outdoor group photos, was revealed, suggesting that their friendship continued even after the broadcast.

The reactions from fans were also warm. Comments such as "I can feel the sincerity in every single word," "I am always rooting for you," "You speak so beautifully," and "You cut your hair nicely" followed. There were many reactions showing favor toward his attitude of calmly organizing his experiences, regardless of his actions on the show.

The reason Yeong-sik's 'post-broadcast steps' are drawing even more attention is that there was also a mention of a new connection after the final selection. In the Season 33 Singlehood Special, Yeong-sik chose Yeong-suk as his final selection, but since Yeong-suk did not make a final selection, the two did not become a real-life couple. In Season 33, two couples, Yeong-ho-Sun-ja and Yeong-cheol-Jeong-suk, were finally formed.

However, in the wrap-up live broadcast, when asked about his current dating status, Yeong-sik revealed, "There is a woman I am currently getting to know," leaving further curiosity. It drew interest as it meant that although he could not form a connection in Solo Nation, he is continuing new encounters after the broadcast ended. On the other hand, Yeong-suk revealed she is still single and expressed her thought that she wants to be a bit more proactive in dating after appearing on 'I Am SOLO.'

In the end, for Season 33 Yeong-sik, 'I Am SOLO' was closer to an experience of reflecting on himself rather than a romantic conclusion where he obtained the desired result. Although he did not obtain the title of a final couple, Yeong-sik left a message of admitting his shortcomings while simultaneously intending to protect his 'true self.' After the broadcast ended, interest is instead focusing on where his real dating and changes will head.