[ 'Couple Palace 2' has revealed a Q&A with the production team to mark its conclusion.

Mnet 'Couple Palace 2' (directed by Lee Sun-young CP and Jung Min-seok PD) is a large-scale couple matching survival program for single men and women looking for the perfect marriage partner. It has incorporated a highly realistic matching system comparable to marriage information companies, capturing the process of finding a partner to spend a lifetime with.

The 'Couple Palace', which captivated viewers with its unprecedented concept of 'the entertainment version of a marriage consulting service', attracted attention from the launch of Season 1 in 2024 and continued its successful run with the release of Season 2 the following year. Especially, the total views of program-related videos showcased in Season 2 surpassed 250 million views, with the video recording the highest number of views alone achieving a remarkable 8.327 million views, proving its popularity. (As of 10 a.m. April 10)

The matching records were also broken. In the final episode of 'Couple Palace 2' broadcast on the 9th, a total of nine couples were ultimately matched. Out of 60 single men and women, 18 succeeded in the final proposal, achieving a 30% matching rate. The program captured the dramatic emotional lines of the cast, who are serious about marriage, while updating matching records and firmly establishing its position as the definitive leader in the 'matching' reality show.

What would be the secret behind Couple Palace's ability to gain love for two consecutive seasons by breaking away from the framework of existing dating programs? From behind-the-scenes production stories to reflections on the conclusion, we present an interview with Lee Sun-young CP and Jung Min-seok PD, encompassing everything about 'Couple Palace 2'.

▲ The following is the full Q&A with Lee Sun-young CP (hereafter referred to as Lee) and Jung Min-seok PD (hereafter referred to as Jung)

Q. Did you encounter any difficulties preparing for the new season in such a short time?

Lee: 'Couple Palace' is thankfully a program that confirmed the production of Season 2 before concluding. The actual preparation time between the two seasons was about six months, excluding holidays. It would be a lie to say it wasn't burdensome. However, I believe Season 2 had more completeness because we used the know-how from last year. It was much easier to cast participants thanks to the many more people who applied compared to Season 1, which showcased a completely new program.

Q. Looking back on the changes in Season 2.

Lee: I think the concentration definitely increased as we reduced the number of participants from 100 to 60.

Jung: In this season, we enhanced the configuration of the Palace Week set. Unlike Season 1, we provided many independent spaces. I believe it made communication easier. Thanks to that, the narratives developed more deeply, and there were many memorable scenes.

Q. There were many popular characters. It seems you put a lot of effort into casting; how did you do it?

Lee: Since the program centers on couple matching with the cast, we cast through various channels, including open recruitment and invitations to participate. We also accepted participation applications from members of marriage information companies.

Jung: We also attempted on-site casting. The production team visited crowded areas like Yeouido, Jongno, and Gangnam twice a week for two months. Although the on-site casting ultimately didn't go well, it showed how serious we were in the casting process.

Q. Is there a participant who stands out in your memory?

Jung: Oh Sinda. They were a participant who was honest in their expressions according to the situation at the time. I thought they were a likable character.

Lee: I also intended to mention Oh Sinda. As the episodes went on, fans began to appear. In terms of commitment to marriage, Bae Joo-hee and Seo Jin-joo were the best. I think that led to more raw emotions being expressed.

Q. What responses from viewers stand out in your memory?

Jung: There seemed to be many suspicions about whether there was a script. I take that positively, meaning it was that dramatic.

Lee: There is really no script. 'Couple Palace 2' was genuinely edited with great care across multiple rounds.

Q. What do you think is the charm unique to 'Couple Palace'?

Lee: Couple Palace is 'a microcosm of reality.' Although shooting and casting are challenging due to its unusually large number of participants, I think that led to many differentiating points. As a joke, we even discussed what it would be like to create a 'Couple Palace Camp', as it seems closely related to reality.

Jung: Despite the short number of episodes, the narratives are depicted deeply. Matching occurs through the early rounds, but it enters a second chapter where participants seek other partners through staying together. It seems that more dramas emerge there.

Q. Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to the viewers who loved 'Couple Palace 2'?

Lee: I was surprised and grateful that more people than I expected immersed themselves in 'Couple Palace 2'. Thank you sincerely to the viewers who shared the journey of 'Couple Palace 2' for 10 weeks, laughing, crying, and sometimes getting angry together.

[Photo] 'Couple Palace 2'

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