"A wound-stained face covered in tears"... Re-examining the poet's resume of 31st cycle Sunja amidst gossip wounds [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I Am Solo" (I Am SOLO), an SBS Plus and ENA dating variety program, has drawn attention after it was revealed that Sunja (pseudonym), who appeared as a cast member in the 31st cycle, published a poetry collection during her high school years.

"On the 1st, posts circulated on online community boards and other platforms, centering on the fact that '31st cycle Sunja debuted as a poet at age 19.' It was revealed that Sunja, who was introduced as a book designer working at a publishing company during her appearance on 'I Am Solo,' had in fact already published a poetry collection as a 'literary girl' during her third year of high school.

"In particular, an interview with Sunja published in a local newspaper in April 2010 is also being re-examined. According to an interview article published by Peace News at the time, Sunja met poet Bae Chang-hwan, who taught Korean at Gimcheon Girls' High School in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and published her poetry collection titled 'When I Think, My Eyes Water.'

"In the interview, Sunja explained the motivation for publishing her collection: 'The teacher asked me to bring the poems I had written, and when I gathered them, there were about 70.' When asked about her future aspirations, she replied, 'I want to become a brand maker who names products or images.'

"Sunja was also mentioned in a column by poet Kim Seung-hae, which was published in the Maeil Business Newspaper in February of the same year.

"Poet Kim introduced Sunja as 'Just turned 20. This child, standing on a new spring path of life, is a full-fledged poet who recently published 'When I Think, My Eyes Water' with poems written during her third year of high school while preparing for the CSAT.'

"Additionally, recalling the moment he first met Sunja at a youth literature camp, Poet Kim said, 'Her smiling face was so clear and bright that at first glance she seemed like a lotus flower. That child asked me, 'Are you a poet?' At that moment, thanks to her shining eyes, I became the most precious poet in the world. It seems poets are precious people who reflect the world clearly. Her eyes were saying just that.'

"Poet Kim further stated, 'The inner world of that lotus-like child, who seemed to have not even a single wound on her soul, was a mess of wounds stained with tears. The pains hidden behind that child's bright eyes were discovered throughout the poetry collection, and my own eyes reddened as I read it. However, she possessed the power of maternal love that warmly embraces the world.'

"Poet Kim concluded with a message of encouragement to Sunja: 'How many times must she have cried alone over wounds no one knew about, holding back her tears with a bright smile? Just as she wished to 'put the world that enters her eyes into poetry,' I pray that her days, like a new spring, shine brightly, and that her life shines alongside her poetry.'

"Meanwhile, Sunja received significant attention for appearing in the 31st cycle of 'I Am Solo,' which concluded on the 27th of last month. On the broadcast, she became the final couple with Gyeong-su, and they are still in a romantic relationship.

"However, following the broadcast, controversy erupted over gossip about some cast members, leading to a backlash. Scenes were aired where roommates Ok-soon, Young-sook, and Jung-hee discussed Sunja, and the controversy grew when Sunja happened to overhear them. Some viewers pointed out that the three roommates essentially badmouthed Sunja.

"On the 28th of last month, during a live broadcast by the production company of 'I Am Solo,' Chonjang Entertainment, Sunja opened up about her feelings following the gossip controversy: 'I felt like I had become an uncomfortable presence within that group. After that, I decided not to attend any gatherings where female cast members were present, and a 'Girls Talk' group chat was also created.'

"She also stated that although she ended her relationship with Jung-hee, she did not accept apologies from the other members, judging them to lack sincerity. In response, Young-sook and Ok-soon publicly apologized to Sunja, expressing their regret.

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*This content was translated by AI.