ENA·SBS Plus jointly produced entertainment program 'I am SOLO' has reached a monumental 200th episode. 'I am SOLO' premiered on July 14, 2021, and has left countless viewer rating records and created buzz, marking a brilliant new history with its 200 episodes.
'I am SOLO' depicts the struggles of single men and women who desperately want to marry as they gather to find love, earning explosive popularity from viewers for over four years as a 'hyper-realistic dating program.' With 'I am SOLO' building its golden tower of 200 episodes, we reflected on the journey it has taken silently over the past four years.
# What records have been set with 200 episodes?
'I am SOLO' has evolved with fresh and substantial projects, including not only regular editions but also special episodes featuring divorced individuals seeking their eternal 'last love', 'golden special' episodes with 'spec + visuals' individuals who missed their chance at marriage for various reasons, and 'first love special' episodes featuring individuals who have yet to experience true love, creating a 'dating reality syndrome' in the broadcasting industry. Along with its popularity, 'I am SOLO' was selected as the winner of the non-drama grand award at the 2023 FunDex Awards (hosted by Good Data Corporation) and won an award in the TV steady institutional sector category for 2024, achieving two consecutive years of glory. The FunDex Awards are particularly meaningful as they select the best TV and OTT programs from the most objective viewpoint based on 100% data.
Viewer ratings also recorded outstanding figures among 'reality dating programs.' The 'I am SOLO' special episodes for the 16th season, aired on September 13, 2023, left a catchphrase 'Should we roll out the tape?' and achieved an impressive average of 7.4% and a peak of 8.2% in the Nielsen Korea ratings for paid broadcasting in the metropolitan area (total figure for ENA·SBS Plus calculated based on paid households in the metropolitan area). Following this, 'I am SOLO' has maintained a steady viewership rating of 4-5%, receiving support and encouragement from viewers as the raw romance created by single men and women continues to yield figures surpassing even high-profile entertainment programs.
Even in 2025, the popularity of 'I am SOLO' continues unabated. In the FunDex chart compiled by Good Data Corporation, it has already ranked first in 'TV non-drama buzz' a remarkable seven times this year. Additionally, the Thursday entertainment program 'I am SOLO, and after that, love continues' (hereafter 'NaSolSaGye') has surpassed 100 episodes with the support of viewers, while the Friday entertainment program 'Traveling with Fire' (hereafter 'JiBokHang', produced by Village Chief Entertainment) has also captured both viewer ratings and buzz, demonstrating the power of 'I am SOLO.'
# Stronger than Samshin Halme!
'I am SOLO' has produced a total of eight couples so far, boasting the best 'output' among reality dating shows. The couples who found their 'life partners' through 'I am SOLO' include 2nd season Young-Soo and Young-Sook, 4th season Jeong-Sik and Young-Sook, 6th season Young-Sik and Jeong-Sook, 6th season Young-Cheol and Young-Sook, 9th season Kwang-Soo and Young-Sook, 15th season Kwang-Soo and Ok-Soon, 17th season Sang-Cheol and Hyun-Sook, and 22nd season Kwang-Soo and Young-Ja. Notably, the 6th season couples Young-Sik and Jeong-Sook as well as Young-Cheol and Young-Sook gained attention for their marriages, while 22nd season couple Kwang-Soo and Young-Ja announced their wedding news even before the 22nd season aired its conclusion.
The first 'NaSol baby' brought to light by 'I am SOLO' is Laura, the first daughter of the 6th season couple Young-Cheol and Young-Sook. Recently, they announced the pregnancy of their second child, receiving congratulations from viewers. Following them, the 4th season couple Jeong-Sik and Young-Sook, the 15th season couple Kwang-Soo and Ok-Soon, and the 2nd season couple Young-Soo and Young-Sook also announced the birth of 'NaSol babies.' The 15th season couple Kwang-Soo and Ok-Soon showcased their 'lovebird couple' side by sharing stories of their pregnancy and childbirth through 'NaSolSaGye.'
Although they did not appear together on the show, 14th season Sang-Cheol and 'NaSolSaGye' Baek-Hap transcended the 'NaSol universe' to tie the knot, showcasing a true 'unification of the universe.' Furthermore, although 20th season couple Kwang-Soo and Young-Ja did not become a couple in the final selection, they have developed into a romantic relationship and are set to marry this October. 10th season Sang-Cheol and 22nd season Jeong-Sook are also planning to marry this October after an extraordinary meeting that transcended the special episode for divorced individuals.
# The three MCs who drove the popularity of the 200th episode, "Starting with a pilot, reaching a monumental 200 episodes!"
The three MCs Defconn, Lee Yi-kyung, and Song Hae-na have played a vital role in maintaining popularity as 'I am SOLO' reached its 200th episode. Defconn and Lee Yi-kyung have been the backbone of 'I am SOLO' since episode 1, never missing a single episode, while Song Hae-na joined from the start of the 3rd season in episode 14 and has served as 'human vitamin' for 'I am SOLO' up to the 200th episode. The three have been more immersed in the singles' romance than anyone else, helping viewers join in on their 'romantic journeys' as they serve as guides with 'a perfect score of 200 out of 100.' The warm empathy and support, along with their fierce advice and corrections, make the three MCs' empathetic comments as charming as the romance of single men and women in 'I am SOLO.'
On the occasion of the 200th episode, the three MCs expressed their heartfelt thoughts. Lee Yi-kyung said, "It’s truly a great event to have reached 200 episodes already," feeling emotional, while Defconn noted, "It’s truly a remarkable accomplishment. Over the past 200 episodes, a total of 318 singles visited us to find their 'solo love.' 'I am SOLO' could become the representative dating entertainment show thanks to the interest and love from all the viewers."
The bright faces of the three MCs and the self-introduction time of the 26th season 'golden special' can be confirmed on ENA·SBS Plus 'I am SOLO' airing at 10:30 p.m. on the 8th (Wednesday).
[Photo] ENA·SBS Plus
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