In 'Searching for Old Encounters,' Lee Young-ja and Hwang Dong-joo stirred up a 'real couple' romance.

On the 23rd, KBS 2TV's entertainment program 'Searching for Old Encounters' (abbreviated as 'Omancu') unveiled the final selection time. Focus turned to the love line's final choice of comedian Lee Young-ja (born Lee Yoo-mi) and actor Hwang Dong-joo, who had garnered attention throughout the broadcast.

'Searching for Old Encounters' is an entertainment program that shows the story of singles in the entertainment world gathering, believing they could be deserted on a deserted island without any issues. Hwang Dong-joo revealed that he has been a longtime fan of Lee Young-ja before his debut and has expressed his admiration by calling her 'Sister Yoo-mi.'

With only Hwang Dong-joo's choice remaining, his choice was the steadfast Lee Yoo-mi. Hwang Dong-joo sincerely confessed in a trembling voice using a famous line from a drama, "Because the weather is nice, whether the weather is not nice, or because the weather is just right, Yoo-mi, let's go on a date." Lee Young-ja expressed her excitement in a private interview, saying, "I felt happy, but I was also a bit nervous," contrasting with her reaction where she said to Hwang Dong-joo, "I'm sorry for always treating you like my spouse."

The date Hwang Dong-joo prepared was a one-on-one date at Nami Island. In response to the reactions of foreign tourists who seemed to recognize them, Lee Young-ja joked, "My boyfriend," which evoked excitement. Hwang Dong-joo laughed heartily at Lee Young-ja's whimsical response, "Let's go to play and relax."

However, Lee Young-ja was worried about the age difference. Although Hwang Dong-joo, born in 1974, appears to be 50 years old, that makes him 7 years younger than Lee Young-ja, who was born in 1967. He confessed, "If I don't care too much like a teenager or in my twenties or thirties, I could meet him. But while others say age is just a number, I feel too sorry if I consider it."

The couple mission for the two was to take couple photos. The production team even requested a pose facing each other with the woman in a back hug. Initially surprised by the pose conveyed through the picture, the two actively engaged in the mission. Hwang Dong-joo especially trembled with nervousness. Lee Young-ja laughed, saying, "I've never seen someone tremble like this. I've never seen anyone tremble even down to their stomach." When the moment for the photo shoot came, Hwang Dong-joo turned back to give a kiss-like gesture to Lee Young-ja, who was giving him a back hug, adding to the surprise.

After the one-on-one date, in the after-date that followed, Lee Young-ja and Hwang Dong-joo chose each other once again. Lee Young-ja first stated, "Actually, there was a misunderstanding that all men are like that," and confessed a past of being hurt by men, saying, "It's all gone." However, she shared that "since everything is gone, this person seems to fill me up," and selected Hwang Dong-joo.

Still, Lee Young-ja inwardly worried, "In a way, meeting Dong-joo is like meeting a fan. However, since Dong-joo says he likes me, I find myself wanting to see him again. My feelings definitely grow fonder. But while others say age is just a number, from my perspective, I feel like I'm the oldest one here, and I feel too sorry for that. I am really concerned about it. If I go ahead without considering anything..."

Hwang Dong-joo noted, "Thanks to this person, I feel so happy about being an actor and a broadcaster. I have never felt such great happiness since my debut. I will light a candle for the person who gave me such happiness," as he requested an after-date with Lee Young-ja.

Moreover, he mentioned, "The time we've spent together so far has been too short, so if possible, I'd like to see her again and talk more." The ongoing romantic tension between Lee Young-ja and Hwang Dong-joo heated up 'Omancu.'

[Photo] Provided by KBS.