Waks and Lee Gi-chan, close friends for 25 years, are attracting attention as they herald a thrilling emotional shift beyond their long-standing friendship.
In a teaser video recently released by the production team of the KBS Joy and KBS2 co-produced entertainment program 'Pursuing Old Encounters' (hereafter 'POE'), which will premiere on June 16, an unexpected atmosphere was captured in the relationship between Waks and Lee Gi-chan, who are known as long-time friends.
The two have been connected since 25 years ago as senior and junior in the music industry, living as colleagues and friends. As they meet again on this program after so many years without any special feelings, a subtle tension has arisen. In the first meeting seen in the video, Waks and Lee Gi-chan appeared awkward, failing to make direct eye contact, which heightened viewers' anticipation.
Waks described Lee Gi-chan as 'a family-level friend rather than just a close friend.' In particular, as time has passed, the emotional lines of the two have gradually started to change. Lee Gi-chan reacted to Waks, who appeared beautifully dressed, saying, 'You look so pretty today.' Waks cautiously shared, 'It seems like my mindset is changing a bit,' illustrating how emotional threads that would normally be passed over have gradually begun to seep into each other.
Waks and Lee Gi-chan held hands and engaged in physical contact, with Lee Gi-chan encouraging Waks by saying, 'Just do whatever you want, Hye-ri. Don't think too much.' Waks also asked, 'How should we be emotionally supportive of each other?'
The subtitles in the teaser video stating, 'Old relationship, newly felt emotions,' and 'From old encounters to lasting connections' hinted at their relationship moving beyond mere friendship, adding to the thrill.
The production team is also paying attention to the change in their relationship. The POE team noted, 'This season will also focus on the process of new emotions blooming from long-standing connections,' adding that 'moments when they come to see someone they've only regarded as a friend in a new light will unfold interestingly.'
POE is a reality dating show where single stars from the entertainment industry revisit each other and seek genuine connections through the program. Season 1, which aired last year, featured Lee Young-ja and Hwang Dong-joo, who garnered viewers' support with their honest conversations and considerate behavior, leading to interest in whether they were actually dating. Following the broadcast, news emerged that Lee Young-ja and Hwang Dong-joo continued to keep in touch, fostering expectations for the 'POE couple.'
This season will also feature a diverse array of single stars from the entertainment industry, including Park Gwang-jae, Lee Sang-jun, Park Eun-hye, Shin Bong-seon, Kang Se-jeong, and Lee Hyeong-cheol, capturing the journey of encountering unexpected emotions in past connections.
There is growing attention on whether the long-standing friendship between Waks and Lee Gi-chan can indeed evolve into love. POE Season 2 will premiere on June 16 at 9:50 p.m. on KBS Joy and KBS2.
[Photo] OSEN DB, captured from the POE Season 2 teaser.
[OSEN]