'I Am Solo' Season 28 Kicks Off with High Drama and Skyrocketing Ratings

The latest season of the hit dating reality show 'I Am Solo' has launched with its 'Divorced Singles' special, immediately captivating audiences with intense emotional moments and dramatic developments right from the first day.

The broadcast on Wednesday, the 10th, featuring the 28th season's participants entering 'Solo Nation,' garnered significant attention, achieving an average viewership rating of 4.6% nationwide, with a peak of 5.2%. It also secured the top spot in its timeslot for the key demographic of men and women aged 20-49, hitting 2.04%. The show's popularity was further evidenced by its second-place ranking on the Findex Chart for non-drama TV-OTT content.

Initial impressions led to a 'first impression selection' round where male contestants experienced a mix of attention and being overlooked. Young-soo emerged as the clear favorite, receiving multiple 'first impression' votes from the female contestants. Conversely, some male participants, like Young-ho and Kwang-soo, received no votes, expressing their surprise and disappointment.

A grocery shopping excursion highlighted early dynamics, with Young-soo's generous spending contrasting with Young-sook's concerns about his impulsiveness, hinting at potential compatibility issues despite his expressed interest.

Later, during a barbecue party, Young-soo's energetic hosting style impressed Jung-sook. She confessed her initial consideration of him for her top pick and initiated a private conversation, leading to physical intimacy like holding hands and linking arms.

Jung-sook later broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the pressure of appearing strong and the feeling of being misunderstood as the only divorced individual among her roommates. She expressed her deep sorrow and feelings of failure.

The second day began with a 'lucky bag date' for Kwang-soo and Young-sook. Kwang-soo openly conveyed his interest, and Young-sook admitted that while he wasn't initially on her radar, the date sparked a newfound attraction.

The 'self-introduction time' revealed the contestants' diverse backgrounds and aspirations. Young-soo, a CEO, touched hearts by expressing his willingness to raise children from a future marriage, deeply resonating with Hyun-sook. Other male contestants shared their stories, including Young-ho, a businessman; Young-sik, an engineer and single father; Young-chul, a researcher who finalized a decade-long divorce; Kwang-soo, a former music producer; Sang-chul, a professor; and Kyung-soo, a former professional footballer. The preview teased further emotional moments, including Ok-soon's tears and shifts in romantic interests, promising more excitement in the upcoming episodes.

The self-introductions of the female contestants and their first date selections will be revealed in the next episode.

The 28th season of 'I Am Solo' focuses on divorced individuals, known as 'dol-sing' in Korean. These participants have entered 'Solo Nation' with the hope of finding new love after previous marriages. The show aims to explore the complexities of dating after divorce, offering a unique perspective on second chances in romance. Viewers are tuning in to witness their journeys and see if they can find lasting connections.