'Pursuing Old Encounters' season 2 concluded with the tearful cast ending with a final '0 couples.'
The final after-selection scene was depicted in the episode that aired on the 21st on KBS Joy, KBS2, and GTV 'Pursuing Old Encounters' (hereinafter 'Pursuing Old Encounters').
On this day, the cast members had their final 1:1 dinner date ahead of the final selection. With the consideration of other cast members, Kang Se-jeong, who chose Lee Gi-chan directly, expressed, "Before we talk, there's something I want to request. I hope we can have a time just for the two of us."
She revealed, "I made this date," and "I wanted to talk to Gi-chan, even though the others were nice. Honestly, I sang last night. There was something that moved my heart, and I thought it was really cool. And while barbecuing, I thought it was very nice to see someone working hard, feeling that he is a warm person, so I wanted to have a talk with him."
Meanwhile, Park Kwang-jae had his last date with Park Eun-hye. When asked about his current feelings, he said, "Actually, I have tried to date and held hands, but it didn't feel like that. I was like, 'What is this?' So my heart was racing so much that I asked to show it. Is my heart not good? That moment, I didn't want to let go of that hand. Do you remember what I said during the self-introduction on the first day? 'I've lost my innocence, but I'm a man who lives with purity.' So I felt a lot of pure expectations this time. I realized that I am still someone who lives with such excitement."
He continued, "One of my weaknesses is my timidness. Even if I like someone, I can't be proactive. What if they don't like me? I like them so much, but I wonder if I can handle the responsibility and regret of my choice," and Park Eun-hye replied, "You need to be braver than I am. You're feeling excited for the first time since you turned 40. Then challenge yourself, and if not, that's happiness too. Taking this challenge in your 40s. Just go straight ahead," and she encouraged him, saying, "I hope it goes well. I support your love."
However, after finishing the date with Lee Gi-chan, Kang Se-jeong shared, "The atmosphere was really nice, romantic, and I felt comfortable." She expressed her direct disappointment to Lee Gi-chan, saying, "After the date today, I thought it would have been nice if we had shared some information about one another a bit earlier." Lee Gi-chan replied, "I don't think of this as the last time. Isn't the after-selection still remaining? There will be drama and twists in the after-selection too," and Kang Se-jeong also said, "I'm not sure. The choice seems a bit difficult. The people who went on a date today might change, right? Because I have such thoughts too."
After the date, he returned to his accommodation and reflected on Lee Gi-chan, saying, "I thought there were similar parts, and I had some reservations, but was it too late? I think it was the most date-like date. Surprisingly, I found that my vibe matched well with Gi-chan," and he added, "There seems to be a timing for these things. Just spending more time together doesn't necessarily deepen feelings, and conversely, it's strange that even if you meet someone for a short time, you can develop an interest. But rather than solidifying it, I am leaving a little potential open, but who knows what will happen. Huh?"
Park Kwang-jae stated, "Since it's the last time, I'm trying to stay true to the feelings I felt. First of all, I want to see what it's like outside. If the same feelings remain outside," expressing his unwavering feelings and even writing a letter in advance. However, upon learning that Kang Se-jeong had chosen Lee Gi-chan as her date, he felt anxious and said, "I didn't pay much attention when the others were talking. Wasn't it just that? There was no certainty that it was me from the beginning. I thought I was just feeling good alone, thinking he would feel the same way, realizing it was just a delusion suddenly."
The long-awaited after-selection time arrived, and first to go was Shin Bong-sun (Shin Mi-na), who stated, "If I have even a little interest and I don't see someone, I want to send them again. I have someone I want to express my feelings to," revealing her connection candle to Lee Hyung-cheol. Conversely, Lee Hyung-cheol remarked, "While a romantic relationship can develop deeper ties, if the final result isn't achieved, it becomes a stranger. I prefer to build a long-lasting good connection. So I will ensure the good connection lasts as long as possible," without lighting his connection candle.
Next came Kang Se-jeong, who said, "I believe that connections also have timing," ultimately choosing Lee Gi-chan. He stated, "I enjoyed the naturalness that comes from comfort, not having to keep doing something. That aspect was really nice and moved my heart," while Park Kwang-jae expressed, "I felt so many feelings that I couldn't even grasp what I was feeling. I'm so grateful for the truly unforgettable memories you gave me. I thought I wouldn't feel excitement again, but it seems my dating cells have awakened, so I'm very thankful for that and hope to see each other again."
Park Kwang-jae remarked, "Seeing you today doesn't mean I won't see you again. I will move forward with hope that we can meet again," while adding, "I did write a letter to her. I won't deliver it. I haven't written a hand-written letter in decades, but I will keep it to myself. I will not turn on my connection candle," and continued, "I just accepted it. The small hope I had has completely disappeared. I thought it would be better to step back from this situation."
However, in a surprising turn of events, Lee Gi-chan chose Park Eun-hye. He explained, "The reason I chose Eun-hye is that having met her twice is a big factor. The day we went camping was peaceful; I enjoyed the wind, the sounds, and nature. She worked hard during the sports day and helped me keep motivated, and I think the time I had with her during the sports day was the most fun," to which Park Eun-hye replied, "It felt premature for me to pick someone and decide to pursue a relationship with them," as no one was chosen.
Wax (Jo Hye-ri), who had a love line with Lee Sang-joon, stated, "I don't know if it's that I'm not lighting the connection candle or if I cannot, but I won't light a connection candle," reflecting on Lee Sang-joon's earlier reservations about the age difference, adding, "This person isn't someone I can be with since I understand that all makes sense and now it all has been sorted out. But it's still a bit sad. I had that thought."
Lastly, Lee Sang-joon stated, "While doing 'Pursuing Old Encounters', I learned what kind of person I am and that I haven't had a type. Unless I fall in love at first sight, I didn't want to get to know someone. I lived with the belief that I could never like someone, but I have learned and felt that it is possible to like someone without falling in love at first sight, indicating that I do have a type," while also reflecting, "But I also thought, did I live poorly?" Tears welled up, and Shin Bong-sun and Wax also became emotional, and Lee Sang-joon, unable to continue due to his tears, said, "If there is a chance later, I will write it down separately," stating that he wouldn't light a connection candle. Eventually, 'Pursuing Old Encounters' season 2 ended without a single couple formed.
Meanwhile, towards the end of the broadcast, members from season 3 appeared, raising expectations. Actors Lee Gyu-han and singer Hwang Bo, along with Lee Kyeon, Solbi, and Song Byeong-cheol, made appearances, and lastly, 'pursuer' Song Eun-yi made a surprise appearance, astonishing everyone. The cast inquired, "It seems like you came to participate?", "Was there a woman among you?" and Song Eun-yi responded, "I came out with sincerity," adding to the curiosity.
[Photo] KBS2
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