Love and controversy, both star-level.. 'Ordinary people' on dating shows are hotter than celebrities [First-half review ④]

*This content was translated by AI.

• [2026 ★ First-half review]

The first half of 2026 saw dating reality shows featuring non-celebrities dominate the broadcasting landscape. The narratives of ordinary participants, more provocative and vivid than celebrity scandals, drew daily attention. Alongside the intense buzz, controversies and disputes surrounding the participants never ceased. Rumors, suspicions, conflicts among participants, and the subsequent formula of explanations repeated, subjecting them to the public's sharp gaze more than ever before.

The tvN program 'Switched Love 4', which concluded in January, gained attention for its unprecedented format in which one participant participated simultaneously with two ex-partners (X).

Park Hyun-ji's ex, Sung Baek-hyun, and Shin Seung-yong appeared together, drawing attention to their tangled love LINE. Although Park Hyun-ji ended up in a couple with Jo Yu-sik instead of an X in the final selection, their relationship did not develop into a real-life couple.

The story of 'Switched Love 4' did not end after the program concluded. Jo Yu-sik's ex-girlfriend Kwak Min-kyung and Park Hyun-ji's ex-boyfriend Shin Seung-yong revealed that they were actually dating. In particular, Kwak Min-kyung had shown lingering feelings for Jo Yu-sik during her appearance on 'Switched Love 4', so the news of their romance surprised many.

Later, Jo Yu-sik mentioned the couple's romance through his YouTube channel and live broadcasts. Jo Yu-sik said, "She didn't tell me directly; I had noticed it on my own for a very long time," and added, "I had noticed it, and I actually have a lot to say about this issue, but now I just hope she is happy. If it's something that makes her happy, I am in a position to support her." However, this remark also drew criticism for lacking courtesy toward the other party.

It was a dramatic multi-sided relationship more intense than most dramas, with a plot twist. Their journey, with each person's X and new faces intertwined, continued to create new TIME LINEs even after the program ended, delivering immersion beyond the broadcast itself.

Netflix's 'Solo Leveling 5', which concluded in February, is a dating show set on a remote island called 'Hell Island,' where participants can only leave if they form a couple. In Season 5, a total of five couples were formed: Im Soobin and Park Hee-seon, Song Seung-il and Kim Min-ji, Lee Seong-hoon and Choi Mi-na-su, Kim Jae-jin and Lee Ju-young, and Woo Seong-min and Kim Go-eun.

In this season, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Choi Mi-na-su carried the show. Choi Mi-na-su stood at the center of controversy and buzz with her direct speech and attitude that did not hide her emotions. In her dynamics with several male participants, she made bold choices, receiving criticism from some viewers as a 'villain character,' but also earning praise for increasing the program's immersion. Her lines and attitude each episode drew significant attention, and the MCs also poured out sharp reactions toward her.

Even after the program concluded, Choi Mi-na-su received proper spotlight. Through her personal account, she shared her thoughts upon the conclusion: "I had many realizations while filming 'Solo Leveling,'" and "Seeing my clumsy sides, I think I reflected a lot, learned, realized, and grew." She continued, "It was a time when I deeply felt and reflected that my actions and words could cause discomfort," and added, "I had many worries: 'Can I be loved as I am?' 'If I show my complete self, will I be disliked?' Nevertheless, I do not regret the choice I made with courage."

Choi Mi-na-su's 'hard work' continues. She is currently playing the role of a dark horse in the tvN variety program 'Kill It: Style Creator Daejeon Jang'.

Lee Seong-hoon, who became the final couple with Choi Mi-na-su in 'Solo Leveling 5', was swept up in rumors of being the 'grandson of President Lee Myung-bak' because his appearance and voice were said to resemble Lee Myung-bak Jeon (President) during the broadcast.

Regarding this, 'Solo Leveling 5' PDs Kim Jae-won, Kim Jeong-hyun, and Park Soo-ji explained in a post-conclusion interview: "His appearance was too similar, and his voice was alike, so we suspected, 'Is it true?'" They added, "We asked Lee Seong-hoon directly, and he said no. Lee Seong-hoon was also flustered. Anyway, the grandson rumor is completely false, and he is not even a distant relative." Lee Seong-hoon also officially denied the suspicion by appearing on his YouTube channel and the MBC variety program 'Omniscient Interfering Point'.

'Solo Leveling 5' showed how much buzz ordinary participants who reveal raw desires and emotions can generate by breaking away from the standardized romance formula. In particular, Choi Mi-na-su stood at the center of the program amidst clear likes and dislikes, establishing herself as the biggest topic of this season. It is a case that demonstrated the impact of character play in dating programs.

The ENA and SBS Plus program 'I Am Solo' 31st, which concluded in May, saw conflicts among participants surface, causing disturbances. During the broadcast, scenes were aired where Ok-soon, Young-sook, and Jung-hee, who were roommates in the dormitory, were talking about another participant, Soon-ja. When Soon-ja heard this directly, it escalated into a 'gossip controversy.' Ok-soon was seen encouraging Young-sook, and Young-sook appeared to be checking Soon-ja, drawing the public's indignation. In the final episode, Soon-ja and Kyung-soo became a couple, and the two developed into a real-life couple after the program concluded.

Ok-soon, Young-sook, and Jung-hee bowed their heads in a row during a YouTube live broadcast by Village Chief Entertainment held after the program concluded. However, it was reported that Soon-ja accepted only Jung-hee's apology.

Even after the apology, excessive speculation and rumors targeting the participants continued. In particular, Ok-soon was plagued by marriage and pregnancy rumors with her final couple, Yeong-ho. Regarding this, Ok-soon captured and shared rumor posts on her personal account, drawing a line by saying "Stop," and expressed displeasure by asking, "Tell me how to get out of the GPT marriage + pregnancy rumors."

Additionally, Ok-soon posted a photo of a dinner with the 31st cohort participants, saying, "One day where I was living normally and became a perpetrator nationwide without even having time to explain," and appealed, "Please stop the malicious speculation." Furthermore, he warned, "Speculating, sharing, and spreading someone's residential information online can cause significant anxiety and damage to the individual. Currently, all related posts and comments are being collected and stored. If additional spread or repeated posting is confirmed, we will proceed with all responses, including civil and criminal measures after legal review. Please delete related posts and comments immediately."

Ok-soon's SNS account is currently inactive. Young-sook has shared her recent updates since the apology, but it seems she is aware of the torrent of criticism from viewers, so she has closed the comment section and continues one-way communication.

'I Am Solo' 31st showed the risks inherent in ordinary people variety shows. The immature responses of some participants further worsened public opinion, and viewers, going beyond criticism, poured out speculation about private lives and rumors, fueling the controversy. Ultimately, the conflicts inside and outside the broadcast could not be easily resolved, and it ended leaving only wounds.

MBC Every1's 'Divorced N Single', which concluded in June, started with the unprecedented concept of a meeting between a divorced woman and a lifelong single man. In the final episode, a total of three couples were formed: 'Doo-jun-ku and Su-geum-ji-hwa', 'Bul-na-bang and Ruki', and 'Sun-mu and Jo-ji'. Due to the unique concept, the program received great love, and interest in the participants also grew. In particular, the remarks of female participant Doo-jun-ku, who gained great popularity for her appearance resembling actress Ko Yun-jeong, received significant attention.

In particular, Doo-jun-ku also clarified a part where she mentioned her relationship with her ex-husband during the broadcast. She said, "There was a part where I mentioned my ex-husband on the broadcast," and explained, "At that time, my intention was to convey that I went on the program out of courtesy to my ex-husband, but it seems to viewers that we still seem to be in a relationship where we keep in touch consistently." She then clearly drew a line by stating, "Currently, I absolutely do not contact my ex-husband, and we have never met separately."

Additionally, Doo-jun-ku also conveyed the fact of her breakup with her final couple, Su-geum-ji-hwa. Doo-jun-ku said, "There were a few meetings after the broadcast ended, but it was difficult in terms of long-distance dating," and explained the reason for the breakup: "Su-geum-ji-hwa was able to, but I found it difficult. There were religious aspects, and there were also differences in values while talking." Su-geum-ji-hwa also said, "I am in the process of preparing to start a business, and Doo-jun-ku is running two stores, so there was no time." Doo-jun-ku stated, "Through many conversations, we thought we could be good friends, and we became friends who support each other."

'Divorced N Single' continued to draw attention to the participants' recent updates even after the broadcast ended. While the program attracted attention with its unique narrative, after the conclusion, it created another story by honestly revealing realistic constraints and misunderstandings.

As such, in the first half of 2026, the honest charm of participants became the main force driving the success of ordinary people variety shows. However, after the broadcast, they found themselves at the center of buzz regarding private lives and various controversies, showing the reality that ordinary participants must also bear interest and risks comparable to celebrities.

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*This content was translated by AI.