‘I Am Solo’ Season 28 Kicks Off with Intense First Day, Stirring Up Romance and Tears!

The latest season of the hit dating show ‘I Am Solo,’ dubbed ‘Season 28: The Divorced Edition,’ has officially begun, and the premiere episode delivered a whirlwind of emotions and budding romances right from the start.

The reality dating program, aired on ENA and SBS Plus, saw its 14 contestants settle into ‘Solo Nation 28’ for what promises to be a dramatic journey. The initial ‘first impression’ choices set the stage, with participant Young-soo emerging as the crowd favorite, receiving picks from three women: Young-sook, Young-ja, and Soon-ja. Meanwhile, Young-cheol confirmed mutual interest with Jung-hee, while Jung-sook, Ok-soon, and Hyun-sook all favored Sang-cheol. A surprising twist came as Young-ho, Young-sik, Kwang-soo, and Kyung-soo received zero votes, expressing their candid disappointment to the cameras.

As the contestants moved into their shared accommodation, the dynamics began to shift. A grocery run led by Young-soo resulted in a staggering bill of over one million won, making a flustered Young-sook question his impulsiveness despite her own impatient nature. Young-soo, however, found Young-sook's calmness appealing, seeing her as a complement to his own personality.

The evening continued with a lively barbecue where Young-soo’s high energy and a heartfelt toast sparked further interest, particularly from Jung-sook. She confessed to having considered him as a top choice during the first impression selection, even initiating a private conversation. During their chat, Jung-sook boldly held Young-soo's hand and linked arms, signaling a strong physical attraction.

However, the night took a poignant turn for Jung-sook, who was later seen weeping uncontrollably in her room. Her roommates rushed to comfort her as she explained her distress, stemming from a fear of appearing weak despite her professional demeanor. She shared her feelings of isolation and self-doubt, particularly as the only divorced individual among her peers, questioning if her life was a failure.

The second day brought a ‘lucky bag date’ for Kwang-soo and Young-sook. During breakfast, Kwang-soo revealed his specific desire to talk with Young-sook the previous day. While surprised, Young-sook admitted that while he wasn't initially on her radar, the date sparked a newfound interest.

The subsequent ‘self-introduction’ segment unveiled the contestants' backgrounds. Young-soo, a 35-year-old CEO of a food startup, moved many with his declaration that he would gladly raise a partner’s children, deeply touching Hyun-sook, a mother of three. Young-ho, 34, a supplier of diving and rescue equipment, shared his desire for a young fatherhood after a past common-law marriage. Young-sik, 43, a city planning engineer, revealed he’s a father to an 18-year-old daughter, whom he is raising alone and who encouraged him to join the show. Young-cheol, 40, a researcher, became emotional discussing the decade-long divorce and his child. Kwang-soo, 41, revealed his past role as an executive producer for idol groups and that he’s a single father to a high school senior. Sang-cheol, 35, a university hospital staff member, highlighted his job security. Kyung-soo, 39, a former professional football goalkeeper who played in Europe, now runs a sports startup and a soccer academy.

A preview for the next episode hints at more emotional moments, including Ok-soon crying over her child and the male contestants admitting their preferences have shifted dramatically after the self-introductions, leaving viewers eager for the next installment.

‘I Am Solo’ is a reality dating show where single men and women live together in a shared space to find love. The current 28th season features divorced individuals, adding a layer of maturity and complex emotional histories to the dating dynamics. The show airs every Wednesday at 10:30 PM KST on ENA and SBS Plus.