I'm SOLO, which had been dogged by controversy, wrapped up the series' first bullying controversy amid intense interest as the 31st season's final live broadcast drew up to 390,000 live viewers.
In the early hours of the 28th, Chonjang Entertainment, the producer of ENA and SBS Plus variety show I'm SOLO (abbreviated as I'm SOLO), held a live broadcast with the 31st season contestants on its official YouTube channel. In particular, although this event took place late at night after the 31st season of I'm SOLO aired on the night of the 27th, the real-time peak viewership soared to 390,000, drawing attention.
At the center of explosive interest in the 31st season of I'm SOLO was a controversy over female contestants' exclusion. This season showed in stark detail how Sunja was ostracized by Yeongsuk, Oksun and Jeonghui throughout the broadcast, sparking an uproar. During the broadcast, Yeongsuk, Oksun and Jeonghui continued a tone of criticism and exclusion toward Sunja in gatherings where they were together. As a result, Sunja not only was seen crying during filming but also showed symptoms of health problems such as stomach cramps from stress, drawing sympathy.
Throughout the broadcast, viewers' attention toward the 31st season of I'm SOLO focused not on whether couples formed but on the conflict structure around Sunja and Yeongsuk, Oksun and Jeonghui. Fortunately, in the live broadcast Sunja revealed she is in a real relationship with Kyeongsu, one of the male contestants of the 31st season, receiving support, but she also took time to directly express her feelings about the exclusion she suffered.
Sunja said she was aware of the controversy surrounding her and Yeongsuk, Oksun and Jeonghui, and read a written statement she had prepared to clarify the situation. According to that statement, the 31st season of I'm SOLO was filmed in January and aired in April, and in the meantime a group messenger chatroom for contestants of the same season was created and they continued to meet. Regarding this, Sunja said, "Until the show began airing, that place was a special environment for filming, so I thought everyone was immersed and tried hard to get along as if nothing had happened with others, at first. So I tried to act cheerful in the group chat as if nothing had happened, and I attended season gatherings and did those things," she began.
However, she said, "When I was invited to the women's contestants' group chat, I was a bit put off even by the chatroom's name, 'girlstalk.' In that space, there were too many moments when, under the guise of girlstalk, I was made to feel uncomfortable. And even now, it felt unpleasant when they tossed me light, slightly rude questions about whether Kyeongsu and I are still seeing each other," she said, adding that the unpleasant atmosphere persisted after the broadcast, intensifying the shock.
There was even a face-to-face conflict after some contestants gathered at Seongcheol's house to watch part of the first episode together. Sunja explained, "After the viewing ended, some went home and some stayed drinking; because Jeonghui, the person involved, was still there, I for the first time voiced the resentment I had felt in that solo world. Because Jeonghui, the person involved, was there, I mustered a lot of courage to speak about it, but the reaction at the time was quite cold. Even contestants not related to the matter said, 'Aren't you being too sensitive? And why bring this up here and ruin the mood?' and I was scolded," she said, shocking viewers.
Because of this, Sunja thought, "Do I have to pretend I don't know about what I went through within this group until the show finishes airing?" and felt, "I became an uncomfortable presence in this circle." She left the 31st season women's group chat called "girlstalk" and drew a line with gatherings of the 31st season contestants except for her relationship with Kyeongsu, her real-life partner. Fortunately, Jeonghui contacted her separately and apologized. Sunja said, "The timing was regrettable, but Jeonghui sincerely apologized to me. It felt more like simple agreement than that she had talked about me much, and because I knew she bore no great malice toward me, I worked things out with Jeonghui then," she explained.
Additionally, after episode 5 of I'm SOLO aired, Yeongsuk and Oksun also contacted Sunja separately. It seemed they had heard that Sunja had mentioned the exclusion that occurred in the solo world after the first viewing gathering. But Yeongsuk left a short message more like 'Are you okay these days?' rather than an apology, and Oksun said, 'What is happening? I think you misunderstood something. I'm sorry I hurt you by listening to just one person's story.'
As subsequent episodes aired, messages of apology from contestants continued to come to Sunja, but they did not resonate with her. Sunja said, "After leaving the solo world, I aired that grievance in episode 1, and I thought there was enough time to apologize until episode 6 was released, but I felt they never thought to reflect on themselves. So their belated apologies did not feel sincere, and I just checked the notifications and did not read them," she said.
Nevertheless, Sunja cautioned against overheated criticism directed at the 31st season contestants and at Yeongsuk, Oksun and Jeonghui. She said, "The situation online and offline is unfortunately too heated right now. I too was labeled a villain, misery, or obsessive woman and received malicious comments and criticism up to episode 5, so I cannot gauge how they must feel now that they are receiving more outrage. However, I think personal apologies or reconciliations between them and me should be handled privately. I believe it's better to make a separate occasion for an apology than to apologize here," she said, explaining the situation once more.
Above all, she said, "I want to say that I was greatly comforted and truly grateful that viewers showed so much empathy, consolation, support and concern for me. But I ask that people refrain from excessive speculation or criticism, and support us so we can grow into more mature and better people, living as people rather than victims or perpetrators," she added.
Sunja's carefully prepared writing resonated with nearly 400,000 viewers who watched the 31st season's live broadcast. Sympathy for Sunja that had run throughout the broadcast shifted after her statement to recognition and praise for her calm feelings. As a result, while Jeonghui was said to have smoothed things over, there were calls for restraint toward Yeongsuk and Oksun, who were still criticized for belated and insincere apologies, given they are 'non-celebrity contestants.' Nevertheless, some viewers noted that photos from a dinner after the live broadcast again showed only Sunja and Kyeongsu absent, suggesting continuing tensions. Although the show has ended, explosive interest in the 31st season of I'm SOLO is expected to continue.
[photo] Source: YouTube and ENA broadcast screen.
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