'I Am SOLO' Participant Yeong-cheol Faces Backlash for Comparing Romance to 'Power Dynamics' and Commenting on Hyeon-suk's Wealth

Yeong-cheol, a participant in the 34th season of 'I Am SOLO' who had been aggressively pursuing Hyeon-suk, has encountered an unexpected backlash. After expressing jealousy and anxiety over seeing her washing dishes with another man, he drew criticism from viewers by comparing his romantic situation to a "power dynamic" between a superior and a subordinate and making remarks regarding Hyeon-suk's economic background. While he initially gained favor through his active courtship, his attitude of seemingly calculating the control within the relationship has led to sharp online reactions, with some calling him a "prime example of a low-quality man."

In the episode of ENA and SBS Plus's 'I Am SOLO' broadcast on the 28th, Yeong-cheol, who has set his heart on Hyeon-suk, appeared shaken as he became conscious of Yeong-ho, who has emerged as another competitor. Although Yeong-cheol had previously gained interest from two women, Yeong-ja and Hyeon-suk, he ultimately decided to focus on Hyeon-suk. However, contrary to his decision, Hyeon-suk still maintained interest in Yeong-ho. In a situation where the emotional pace of the two differs, Yeong-cheol's certainty began to turn into anxiety.

The moment Yeong-cheol's true feelings were most clearly revealed was when he witnessed Hyeon-suk and Yeong-ho washing dishes together in the kitchen. He confessed to Gwang-su, "Seeing them washing dishes together, I thought she was trying to get to know Yeong-ho to some extent," adding, "That is where the anxiety started." He further noted, "I felt jealous and the anxiety was great." Having decided on Hyeon-suk, he seemingly wanted her to respond in kind, but he appeared preoccupied with every action of Hyeon-suk, who had not yet made her final choice.

The issue arose when Yeong-cheol described his emotions using a framework of "superior and subordinate" (gap and eul). He stated, "It feels like I've fallen into the pit of being the subordinate?" He suggested that while he had the power of choice when he was receiving interest from both women, after narrowing his focus to Hyeon-suk, he was left in a position of waiting for her choice. While his words could be seen as an honest expression of his feelings, his remarks, which seemed to categorize romance based on who holds the upper hand or control, drew uncomfortable stares from viewers.

His comments regarding Hyeon-suk's economic background also became a point of contention. Yeong-cheol mentioned that Hyeon-suk drives a foreign car and has interests in cello playing and French, speculating, "It is certain that her home is a comfortable one, living in Seoul." He explained that he received the impression that she grew up in a different living environment than his own. However, this was a personal speculation voiced by Yeong-cheol on the broadcast, and Hyeon-suk's actual economic status has not been confirmed. Upon hearing Yeong-cheol's story, Gwang-su questioned him, saying, "Why is that important?" suggesting that if one likes someone, many aspects of that person can appear attractive.

Yeong-cheol expressed strong conviction, stating he has almost no intention of getting to know other participants. He declared, "If it's not Hyeon-suk here, is there any reason to meet someone else here?" and "I'm just going all-in." He added that his desire to protect her grew after seeing her looking unwell during a date. Hearing this, Defconn reacted, "It's an all-in declaration," while Lee Yi-kyung expressed surprise at the speed of his emotional expression, describing him as a "runaway locomotive."

However, Yeong-cheol's direct approach was also perceived as moving too far ahead without sufficiently considering the other person's feelings. Not only did he tell Hyeon-suk that his desire to get to know other women had vanished, but he also brought up private conversations held between the two in the common living room where multiple participants were gathered. Watching this, Song Hae-na expressed concern, saying, "Those kinds of comments are not good," and Jeong-suk also pointed out his behavior of discussing Hyeon-suk's inner thoughts in a public setting. Jeong-suk remarked, "To be honest, what Yeong-cheol said in the common living room earlier was not great," adding, "I like Hyeon-suk, but I don't know if Yeong-cheol is a suitable person for her." She also advised that it would be better to focus on private conversations so as not to make the other person feel pressured.

In fact, when Hyeon-suk and Yeong-ho were talking in the kitchen, Yeong-cheol lingered nearby and suggested they go back to the accommodation together, but after being rejected, he eventually left the spot. He could not be certain of the other person's choice simply because he had decided on his own feelings for Hyeon-suk. Regarding Yeong-cheol's emotional immersion, Gwang-su pointed out, "He's the one who entered it. He's become a moth to a flame." He further advised, "Only make an effort when you are alone with her. That will be much more natural and less burdensome." This was interpreted as a suggestion that the problem lies in a method of courtship that fails to consider the other person's reaction and pace, rather than the active expression itself.

In the preview at the end of the broadcast, another variable surrounding Yeong-cheol's feelings appeared. A scene was revealed where Yeong-cheol says to Ok-sun, "You have been my second choice all along." As he, who declared he would go all-in for Hyeon-suk, mentioned his ranking of interest regarding Ok-sun, attention is also focused on how his feelings are actually organized. However, it is difficult to conclude the full context of the remarks or changes in subsequent relationships based solely on the short scene in the preview.

Following the broadcast, critical reactions regarding Yeong-cheol's attitude continued online. Netizens left comments such as "The prime example of a low-quality man," "He's just enjoying it like a hunting bar," "It was funny how he kept triggering," and "The prime example of a woman-obsessed man." In particular, criticisms were raised that his attitude appeared contradictory, as he reacted sensitively to Hyeon-suk talking to other men while simultaneously appearing conscious of his own choice and dominance in the romantic situation. Criticisms also noted that giving one's heart to a person and respecting that person's choice are two different matters.

Yeong-cheol, born in 1990, is a 7th-grade administrative civil servant who initially gained favor during his self-introduction by stating that he respects his spouse's career and is willing to use parental leave himself. However, after full-scale dating began, he is receiving conflicting evaluations due to his rapid emotional expressions, public courtship, and "superior and subordinate" remarks. Attention is now focused on whether his aggressive pursuit of Hyeon-suk will be accepted as sincere interest or remain as a hasty attitude that failed to fully consider the other person's heart.

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