'Poisoned Apple 2' engrossed viewers with a 'poisoned apple experiment' that thoroughly probed the perennial debate 'kindness vs. flirting.'
Episode 6 of the cable channels SBS Plus and Kstar co-produced variety show 'Real Love Laboratory Poisoned Apple season 2' (hereafter 'Poisoned Apple 2'), which aired on the 13th, featured studio MCs Jun Hyun-moo, Yang Se-chan, Lee Eun-ji, Yoon Tae-jin and Heo Yeong, and introduced a client who said, "I wonder whether my boyfriend is naturally kind or if he is leaving openings," sparking a heated 'dating debate.' In an experiment that also featured the 'golden hips' apple woman, the protagonist (the client's boyfriend) declined the 'final poisoned apple'—"Would you want one more beer at my place?"—resolving the client's misunderstanding and reaffirming their love in a heartwarming conclusion.
That broadcast recorded a peak minute rating of 0.7% (Nielsen, metropolitan area, paid channels, SBS Plus standard, same below), a peak minute target rating of 0.4%, and among women in their 30s a peak minute rating that rose to 0.6%, showing an explosive reaction among female viewers. In addition, it proved its topicality by appearing among popular news on major portals. Especially given the theme 'kindness vs. flirting,' heated discussions opened on social media after the broadcast.
The episode 6 reels titled "If I hit on him, will he accept? If he were single, he would have met" recorded an astonishing 1,386,000 views and was shared 11,000 times, showing tremendous reach. In around 270 comments, various opinions about relationships between men and women were exchanged. Viewers reacted, "From the protagonist's position with a girlfriend, it was the best answer," and, "I wish the protagonist had clearly shown that such a question made him uncomfortable," engaging in debate, and also commented, "Through 'Poisoned Apple 2' I came to understand male and female ways of speaking," and, "It was interesting because it made me think about whether it's consideration or leaving an opening."
The client on this episode of 'Poisoned Apple 2' said, "I met my boyfriend as a coach and a member at a gym and we've been dating for more than 400 days," and explained the reason for appearing: "My boyfriend is so kind that I want to check whether his behavior in front of other women when I'm not around is naturally kind or flirting that leaves openings." Anticipation for a hot 'dating debate' grew as the protagonist's ideal type, the 'golden hips' apple woman, appeared. At the apple woman's dazzling figure, Yang Se-chan said, "Ah, spicy~" and couldn't take his eyes off her, and Lee Eun-ji joked, "She's not the protagonist's ideal type, she's Yang Se-chan's ideal type~," drawing laughter.
Immediately after, the scene of the apple woman and the client 'meeting' was revealed. The apple woman asked the client, "May I touch your thigh?" The client was flustered but ultimately permitted the contact. When the tense 'meeting' ended, Jun Hyun-moo said, "Actually, the thigh line is a bit strong. Men just go crazy," predicting an unprecedented level. Lee Eun-ji then asked, "The protagonist's ideal type is so specific as a 'hip beauty'—what is Jun Hyun-moo's ideal type?" Jun Hyun-moo hesitated, saying, "I like hips a bit too..." then, "But I'm worried an article will come out saying I only look at hips," switching to shy mode and making everyone burst out laughing.
Amid the chaotic atmosphere, the production team ran an experimental camera to analyze the protagonist's level of kindness before the formal operation. As a result, the protagonist was generally kind to the experiment women but maintained his own boundaries. The main operation then began. An accomplice (a friend of the protagonist hired by the production team) was set to be drinking with the protagonist when he met an acquaintance, leading naturally to the apple woman joining them. In that setting, the protagonist called the client and asked, "Is it okay if I join them?" and obtained prior permission, and when the apple woman asked whether he had a girlfriend he replied, "It's been over 400 days," eliciting admiration from the MCs.
But the apple woman built rapport with the protagonist through exercise and shook him with 'compliment apple moves.' She tossed a 'poisoned apple,' saying, "If a cool oppa like this were around me, I would have hit on him," and the protagonist responded, "If I were single, I would have met him too." The female MCs were furious, and Jun Hyun-moo explained, "It's a polite answer to someone you've just met." Lee Eun-ji snapped, "Don't you think about hurting your girlfriend's feelings?" and infuriated the room. Afterwards, the apple woman succeeded in following each other on SNS with the protagonist, touched his forearm and thigh during the 'whisper game,' continuing the thrilling physical contact. She even wrapped him with 'teto apple moves' by gifting a rose, and the protagonist posed affectionately with her making a cheek-heart gesture, leaving a selfie just for the two of them.
Before the 'final poisoned apple,' the apple woman said they were heading the same way and suggested they share a taxi. Contrary to everyone's expectation that they "would not ride together," the two sat side by side in the back seat of the taxi. Watching the situation, the client showed disappointment, saying, "Until he received the rose it seemed like kindness, but after that it feels like flirting." The 'final poisoned apple' posed to the protagonist as he stepped out of the taxi was the line, "Would you want one more beer at my place?" Walking along the night road, the apple woman naturally threw the 'final poisoned apple,' and after a brief hesitation the protagonist refused, saying, "I have to go to work tomorrow, so I can't." The MCs cried out, "Saved~" and sighed in relief.
In the subsequent 'closed-room talk' facing the client, the protagonist said, "I was not shaken by her for even a single moment." He also left the memorable line, "If my girlfriend says my kind behavior makes her feel bad, I'll change it." The client and the protagonist embraced in reconciliation, and seeing the two confirm a stronger love, the MCs cheered enthusiastically, saying, "Refreshing," and, "Be happy~."
Real Love Laboratory Poisoned Apple season 2 airs every Saturday at 9 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by SBS Plus, Kstar.
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