There was nothing to eat at the much-anticipated party. Although 'Pursuing Old Encounters' presented its second season riding on its popularity, it concluded without any couples being formed from the first season featuring Lee Young-ja, Hwang Dong-joo, Koo Bon-seung, and Kim Sook.
The episode of KBS2's 'Pursuing Old Encounters' (hereinafter referred to as 'Omanchu') broadcast on the 21st depicted the final after choices of the cast.
On this day's broadcast, a 1:1 dinner date took place just before the final selections, where the cast expressed their honest feelings towards each other. Kang Se-jung, after dating Lee Gi-chan, said, "There were parts I held back because we had similar traits, but was it too late for our meeting? I think we had the most date-like date. I was surprised that our codes matched well," expressing her regret. Park Kwang-jae couldn't hide his one-sided love for Kang Se-jung, saying, "Is my heart not good? My heart was racing so much that I asked it to stop. At that moment, I didn't want to let go of her hand," even shedding tears. Lee Sang-jun, after his date with Wax, also shared, "You can like someone even if you don't fall in love at first sight, and I have learned and felt that I had an ideal type," reflecting on himself.
However, despite their earnest feelings, the second season of 'Omanchu' faced an unexpected outcome of 'zero final couples'. All cast members either failed to light the candle of connection for their own reasons or had to swallow the disappointment of unrequited love.
Shin Bong-sun lit the candle of connection for Lee Hyung-cheol, but he said, "While a romantic partner can develop a deeper relationship, if the final outcome is not reached, it becomes just a connection. I want to maintain a good relationship for a longer period," and did not light the candle.
Kang Se-jung stated, "I believe there is timing for connections" and chose Lee Gi-chan, explaining, "It was comforting and natural without having to force something. That was really nice and moved my heart." Park Kwang-jae, who had formed a romantic atmosphere with Kang Se-jung, expressed, "I felt so many emotions that I couldn't even feel what I was thinking. Thank you for giving me unforgettable memories; it was a precious and grateful time. I didn't think I would feel excited again, but it seems like my dating cells have awoken, so I'm also very grateful and hope to see her again," while shedding tears.
However, Lee Gi-chan surprised everyone by choosing Park Eun-hye. Lee Gi-chan explained, "The reason I chose Eun-hye is that I think the biggest reason is that we had two meetings, and the day we went camping was great with a gentle breeze, sounds, and nature. During the sports day, she worked hard, and she made me work hard, and I think the time we spent during the sports day was the most fun," he said. Park Eun-hye responded, "I felt that it was too early to say I'd keep a connection with someone after I picked her by chance," and no one chose her.
Wax (Jo Hye-ri), who had a romantic line with Lee Sang-jun, said, "I don't know if it's that I won't light the candle of connection or that I can't, but I won't light the candle of connection." Earlier, as Lee Sang-jun had shown barriers regarding the age difference while having a romantic line with Wax, she sadly noted, "This person is someone I can't consider older. Understanding that, everything just arranged itself. But it's quite sad. I felt that way."
Lastly, Lee Sang-jun said, "Through 'Omanchu,' I learned about myself, and I realized that I didn't have an ideal type. I used to think that if I didn't fall in love at first sight, I didn't want to get to know that person. I had the thought that I could never like them, but I learned and felt that you can like someone without falling in love at first sight, and I had an ideal type," while also shedding tears, he stated, "But I also thought about it. Did I live poorly?"
'Omanchu' season 2 wrapped up without any couples being formed, but it announced a third season. The third season members include Lee Kyu-han, Hwang Bo, Solbi, Lee Kyeon, Jang So-yeon, and Song Byeong-cheol, while the season 2 members also received a text message asking, 'Would you like to go on another journey of connection?' leaving the possibility of their return.
The second season of 'Pursuing Old Encounters' concluded with a viewership rating of 1.9% (based on nationwide data from Nielsen Korea). Compared to the final episode rating of the first season (2.7%), there is a difference of 0.8 percentage points. Despite the anticipation built upon the buzz of the first season featuring Song Eun-i, Kim Sook, and Lee Young-ja, once the curtain was lifted, the consensus was that there was nothing to eat at the much-anticipated party. In contrast, the season 1 cast continues to maintain their popularity and engage with each other's content.
With zero final couples and declining viewership, 'Pursuing Old Encounters' season 2 raised expectations for a third season. What will 'Omanchu' season 3 reveal when it premieres on the 28th, just a week later?
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