‘Real Love Lab: Poison Apple’ Season 2 Premieres with High-Octane Romance Experiment and Viral ‘Apple Girl’

SBS Plus and Kstar's co-produced variety show, ‘Real Love Lab: Poison Apple’ (hereinafter ‘Poison Apple’), has successfully reignited viewer dopamine with its intensified 'Poison Apple Operation' and a 'next-level Apple Girl' right from its Season 2 premiere.

The first episode, which aired on Saturday, May 1st, featured a client in a four-year younger relationship who requested a custom love experiment, stating her relationship with her ‘sweet and kind’ boyfriend had become boring. In response, a participant embodying the ‘120% Easy Girl’ persona, dubbed ‘Apple Girl,’ was deployed. Her meticulously planned tactics and active participation deeply immersed viewers in the experiment.

The broadcast garnered a peak viewership rating of 0.5% (Nielsen, Target, Seoul Metropolitan Area, SBS Plus, paid broadcasts) and a remarkable 1.4% for the target demographic (women in their 30s) during its highest-rated minute. It also secured the second spot in target viewership ratings (2049 demographic) among variety programs in its time slot on paid broadcasting channels.

With the five MCs Jeon Hyun-moo, Yang Se-chan, Lee Eun-ji, Yoon Tae-jin, and Heo Young-ji on set, the first client couple was introduced. The client, a four-year older woman who runs a gym, explained, “My boyfriend also runs a gym, but he’s the opposite of me – a ‘Sweet Guy.’ He’s too gentle and kind, making our relationship boring. I appeared on ‘Poison Apple’ out of curiosity about how my boyfriend would react if someone of the opposite sex, with a completely different personality, approached him.”

Subsequently, an ‘Apple Girl’ with the perfect ‘120% Easy Girl’ profile for the client's request was introduced. Armed with ‘cutie-sexy’ charm, she confidently declared, “If I set my mind to it, I can make anyone fall for me within five seconds of first sight.” The show then revealed the unprecedented pre-meeting between the ‘Apple Girl’ and the client's boyfriend. The ‘Apple Girl’ subtly provoked him, asking, “Is it okay for me to wear tight clothes?” and “I hope you won’t be uncomfortable if we have some skinship.” The boyfriend, while trying to appear unfazed, couldn't hide his wavering expression. Jeon Hyun-moo remarked, “I fear that kind of smile from women,” admitting his apprehension.

The main operation commenced. Inspired by the client’s mention of enjoying fortune-telling together, the production team hired a shaman to deliver a 'fateful prophecy.' The shaman hinted to the boyfriend, “A woman who will adore you is about to appear,” and right on cue, the ‘Apple Girl’ materialized. Unaware of the meticulous setup, the boyfriend engaged in a couple's photoshoot with her. During this, the ‘Apple Girl’ subtly initiated skinship, like offering him snacks, which Jeon Hyun-moo noted men remember well, humorously adding he remembered when his hair got blown away. Lee Eun-ji also expressed her admiration, stating she was learning a lot. Meanwhile, the client, observing from nearby, grew increasingly tense.

After the photoshoot, the boyfriend headed to an after-party with the ‘Apple Girl’ and her accomplices. Here, the ‘Apple Girl’ continued her high-level flirting, even calling him ‘Oppa’ and touching his cheek, exuding a ‘real’ couple vibe. Although the boyfriend stated, “I have a girlfriend,” he readily agreed to the ‘Apple Girl’s’ request to be her ‘knight in shining armor.’ Jeon Hyun-moo analyzed this as a critical flaw: “He can’t refuse,” leading the MCs to exclaim, “This is harsh, so harsh!”

Finally, the ‘Apple Girl’ suggested a private meeting, claiming she left her sneakers at the studio. There, she offered him champagne and asked direct questions like, “What percentage of my charm matches your ideal type?” and “If you didn’t have a girlfriend, would you consider dating me?” He responded, “I like that my girlfriend is independent,” but admitted the ‘Apple Girl’ matched his ideal type about “50%.” The ‘Apple Girl’ then tested him further by asking to follow him on social media, culminating in a surprise kiss on the cheek. This shocking move stunned the MCs and the client, who immediately rushed to the scene.

The boyfriend was taken aback by his girlfriend's sudden appearance. They then had a private talk, where the client expressed her hurt feelings during the experiment. The boyfriend apologized, “I thought I deflected all the flirting, but if you were hurt, I’m sorry. I love you.” The client embraced him warmly, saying, “Hearing my name mentioned throughout the ‘love experiment’ made me realize you love me a lot.” The five MCs applauded the couple’s ‘happy ending’ after overcoming their rut and reaffirming their strengthened love.

‘Poison Apple’ Season 2 airs every Saturday at 8 PM KST on SBS Plus and Kstar.

Netizens have been buzzing about the ‘Apple Girl’s’ bold moves, with comments like, “I was so immersed I thought it was a real dating experiment,” and “I’m really curious about the boyfriend’s reaction.” Some viewers questioned the intensity of the flirting, while others chimed in, “Honestly, I might have fallen for her too.”