A promotional image for "I Am Solo." [ENA]
A promotional image for "I Am Solo." [ENA]

Although Season 32 of the SBS Plus and ENA dating show "I Am Solo" has already begun, viewers remain fixated on the fallout from Season 31 — particularly the ongoing debate over whether Oksun, who led the behind-the-back gossip targeting fellow cast member Sunja, ever offered a sincere apology.

Amid the controversy, it was confirmed Thursday that Season 31 cast member Yeongsuk had unfollowed Oksun — with whom she had exchanged gossip about Sunja — on social media, and had also deleted from her own account photos from a Season 31 after-party that Sunja and Gyeongsu had not attended. Yeongsuk is currently following only Yeongsik among the Season 31 cast.

Jeonghui, for her part, is also not following either Oksun or Yeongsuk.

The moves have been interpreted as a fracture within the trio — Oksun, Yeongsuk and Jeonghui — who were at the center of the gossip controversy. Being seen together offers them little benefit and has only drawn further criticism.

The backlash intensified after a reaction video was posted June 2 on the YouTube channel "촌장엔터테인먼트TV," in which Season 31 cast members — excluding Sunja, Gyeongsu and Yeongho — watched the season finale together and shared behind-the-scenes stories. Public sentiment turned sharply negative when footage showed Sangcheol and Oksun appearing to blame Sunja, the victim of the gossip. Sangcheol called out Sunja's behavior, asking, "Why are you just sitting there listening?" Oksun reacted with disbelief, saying, "She could have just walked in — it's not like we were talking behind her back." In the episode they were watching, Oksun could be heard saying, "There's already a rift between us — I feel awkward around her."

The sight of the Season 31 cast laughing and chatting as though nothing had happened, without Sunja and Gyeongsu, drew harsh criticism, with some calling them the worst cast in the show's history.

Earlier, Yeongsuk posted a lengthy statement May 31 apologizing to viewers who "felt uncomfortable watching my inadequate words and actions on the show," and expressing sincere regret to Sunja, whom she called "the person most hurt by all of this." She added, "I know full well that nothing I say can undo what was shown on air," and said she was "deeply reflecting on my wrongful behavior." She said she had been apologizing to Sunja since early May and would "continue to do so consistently until my sincerity reaches her." She also acknowledged that while she tends to be emotionally candid and open with those around her, she had "failed to consider that my words and actions in that process could hurt someone."

Oksun, by contrast, stirred further controversy the previous day by posting on social media the chat history from a group KakaoTalk room called "Girls Talk," along with screenshots of multiple apology messages she said she had sent to Sunja.

Oksun said the "Girls Talk" chat room had been created for the female cast members to coordinate schedules and meetups, and that the actual conversations were "mostly about arranging gatherings or confirming attendance," adding that the atmosphere was "not one of excluding or being rude to any particular person." She posted screenshots of the chat to support her account.

However, one exchange drew a sharp reaction: when Sunja politely declined to attend a gathering, Oksun responded with a laughing sound and wrote "That's a shame" before asking, "Are you dating Gyeongsu, sis? What's going on between you two?" — pressing again about Sunja's relationship with Gyeongsu in a manner many viewers found disrespectful.

Season 31 of "I Am Solo," which wrapped May 27, drew controversy after Oksun, Jeonghui and Yeongsuk were shown gossiping about and ostracizing Sunja. Sunja and Gyeongsu, who chose each other in the finale, have said they are continuing to see each other outside the show.


jshan@heraldcorp.com