'Real Dating Lab Poisoned Apple' season 2 stimulated viewers' dopamine from the first episode with a strengthened 'poisoned apple operation' and an unprecedented onslaught by the 'apple woman'.
On the 1st (Sat), the first broadcast of the SBS Plus and Kstar co-produced variety show 'Real Dating Lab Poisoned Apple' (hereafter 'Poisoned Apple') season 2 revealed a client identified as a 'Teto woman' dating a man four years younger who requested a tailored dating experiment saying, "Dating a boyfriend who is too gentle and kind is boring." In response, an 'apple woman' with a '120% Egen woman' persona was dispatched, and viewers became overly absorbed as more meticulous planning and operations unfolded along with the 'apple woman's' powerful performance. That broadcast recorded a household peak rating of 0.5% (Nielsen, target, Seoul metropolitan area, SBS Plus standard, pay TV, same below), a target minute peak rating of 1.4% (women in their 30s), and ranked second in target (20-49) ratings among variety programs in the same time slot on pay TV (based on the live broadcast).
With the five MCs Jun Hyun-moo, Yang Se-chan, Lee Eun-ji, Yoon Tae-jin and Heo Yeong seated in the studio, the highly anticipated first client couple was introduced. The client, who is four years older and runs a gym, explained the reason for appearing on the show: "My boyfriend also runs a gym, but he is an Egen man, the exact opposite of me, a Teto woman. He is so gentle and kind that it's not fun. I wanted to see how my boyfriend would react when approached by someone with the opposite personality, so I came on 'Poisoned Apple.'"
Immediately after, an 'apple woman' with a '120% Egen woman' tendency matching the client's request was dispatched. Armed with a 'cutie-sexy' charm, the 'apple woman' confidently said, "If I decide to, I can get someone to fall for me within five seconds just from a first impression." Next, the show's first-ever pre-meeting between the 'apple woman' and the client was revealed. The 'apple woman' subtly provoked the client with remarks such as "Can I wear clothes that cling to the body?" and "I hope you won't feel uncomfortable if I engage in physical contact." The client tried to appear calm but couldn't hide a shaken expression. Watching the tense power struggle between the two, Jun Hyun-moo clicked his tongue and said, "Those kinds of laughs from women are scary." Jun Hyun-moo has had two public dating experiences.
Finally, the main operation began. The producers, noting the client's comment that she and her boyfriend usually liked to have their fortunes told together, hired a shaman to deliver a 'fateful prophecy.' The shaman hinted to the protagonist that "a woman who will worship you will soon appear," and an 'apple woman' who fit that prophecy appeared before the protagonist. Unaware that this was the producers' meticulous design, the protagonist took part in a couple photoshoot with the 'apple woman.' During the process, the 'apple woman' tended to the protagonist's snacks and even engaged in daring physical contact, prompting Jun Hyun-moo to quip, "(Men) remember things for a long time even if it's something small you take care of," adding "my hair got blown away(?) so…" in a sudden self-revelation that drew laughter. Lee Eun-ji also expressed admiration, saying, "I learned that too." Meanwhile, the client's expression watching the protagonist from near the photoshoot site grew increasingly stern.
After the photoshoot, the protagonist headed to an after-party spot with the 'apple woman' and accomplices. There, the 'apple woman' continued high-level 'apple acts.' She even called the protagonist 'oppa' and touched his cheek, creating a genuinely couple-like vibe. The protagonist, while saying "I have a girlfriend," coolly responded to the 'apple woman's' request to be a 'black knight.' Jun Hyun-moo analyzed, "The protagonist has a fatal flaw. He can't say no," and the five MCs reacted with tension, saying, "It's cruel, it's cruel."
Finally, the 'apple woman' suggested a private moment, saying, "I left a pair of sneakers at the studio where we took the photos," proposing they be alone. The two went to the studio, where the 'apple woman' offered champagne and asked, "What percentage of my ideal type am I to you?" and "If you didn't have a girlfriend, would you be willing to date me?" The protagonist replied, "I like that my girlfriend is independent," but answered "about 50%" when asked how close the 'apple woman' was to his ideal type. The 'apple woman' probed further, asking, "Can we follow each other on social media?" and even attempted a surprise cheek kiss. Startled, not only the five MCs but also the client were shocked, and the client immediately rushed to the scene.
Taken aback by his girlfriend's sudden appearance, the protagonist was flustered. The two then entered a private 'room talk,' and the client mentioned the grievances she felt during the experiment. The protagonist said, "I thought I had rebuffed (the flirting) as best I could, but if it still made you feel bad, I'm sorry. I love you," and reassured the client. The client said, "Still, since you talked about me throughout the 'dating experiment,' I felt you love me a lot," and held the protagonist tenderly. The five MCs applauded the first client couple's 'happy ending,' who confirmed a love strengthened and hardened after overcoming a slump.
The SBS Plus and Kstar co-produced variety show 'Real Dating Lab Poisoned Apple' season 2 airs every Saturday at 8 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SBS Plus, Kstar
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