‘Solo’ journey yields ensemble forged dynamics in standard hyperrealistic relationship present

 
Ladies clashing over the identical man at a boozy dinner. A person falling in love in a single day, tearfully confessing his emotions in a handwritten letter. A forged member’s being pregnant introduced earlier than information of a marriage. These are just some of the unfiltered moments captured on “I Am Solo” (2021-), a hyperrealistic Korean relationship program that has captivated viewers with its no-holds-barred portrayal of affection and heartbreak.
 
The present options round 10 women and men dwelling collectively for per week in a fictional village referred to as “Solo Land,” the place they seek for a romantic accomplice. In contrast to many different relationship reveals that wrap romance in shiny packaging, “I Am Solo” thrives on its messiness — and viewers can’t get sufficient.
 
Now in its fifth yr, this system continues to high cable selection present rankings, averaging a 4.4 p.c viewership score nationwide as of its Oct. 29 episode, in line with Nielsen Korea. Buoyed by its enduring recognition, the franchise has launched a number of spinoffs: “Simmering Romance Journey” (translated), the place {couples} from the present journey overseas; “Village Chief’s Bar” (translated), the place three previous members collect for drinks and unscripted conversations; and “I Am Solo: Love Continues” (2022-), which revisits former contestants’ journeys postshow. Altogether, 4 totally different packages inside the “I Am Solo” universe are at the moment airing.
 

A scene from ″I Am Solo″ (2021-) asserting {that a} Twenty eighth-generation couple is anticipating a child [SCREEN CAPTURE]

 
On the heart of all of it is producer Nam Kyu-hong. In an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo on Oct. 28 on the headquarters of Chonjang Leisure in Yangcheon District, western Seoul, Nam credited the present’s success to “the appeal and authenticity of the forged.”
 
Nam insists the drama unfolds naturally, with minimal intervention from the manufacturing workforce.
 
“We don’t give the forged a script, and we don’t intrude of their choices,” he mentioned.
 
An indicator of the present’s immersive expertise additionally comes from the usage of pseudonyms. Every season’s forged is grouped right into a “era,” and members are given widespread Korean names like Okay-sun, Jeong-suk, Younger-su and Younger-cheol. These nicknames are maintained throughout all spinoffs.
 
“I didn’t suppose names mattered once you’re falling in love,” Nam defined. “So we stripped that away.”
 

Producer Nam Kyu-hong of the hit SBS relationship program ″I Am Solo″ (2021-) speaks throughout an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo on the Chonjang Leisure workplace in Yangcheon District, western Seoul, on Oct. 28. [KIM KYOUNG-ROK]

 
The present’s success continues to construct via its spinoffs. The Oct. 30 episode of “I Am Solo: Love Continues” recorded a powerful 2.7 p.c common viewership score, peaking in some segments. Nam mentioned extra spinoffs with new ideas are in growth, including, “There’s no restrict to how far this will develop.”
 
Nam beforehand created SBS’s hit relationship present “Jjak” (2011-14), a predecessor of kinds to “I Am Solo.” Each featured nameless women and men in search of love, however Nam mentioned a lot has modified since then.
 
“Members on ‘I Am Solo’ are typically older and extra equal of their relationships,” he mentioned. “Extra ladies are financially impartial and confidently search for companions who share their values.”
 
Requested whether or not he would ever advocate the present to his personal kids, Nam mentioned sure.
 
“For many who are critical about marriage, this can be a nice alternative,” he mentioned. “Even when they don’t find yourself with a accomplice on the present, many viewers attain out afterward. It’s additionally instructional. Watching themselves on display screen helps members replicate and develop — a sort of mirror remedy. Many who return for ‘I Am Solo: Love Continues’ present seen change, whether or not it’s persona development or bodily transformation. Life goes on, even after leaving Solo Land.”
 
The next interview has been edited for size and readability.
 

Producer Nam Kyu-hong of the hit SBS relationship program ″I Am Solo″ (2021-) engaged on website [JOONGANG ILBO]

 
Q. Do you forged members primarily based on how probably they’re to fire up consideration?
 
A. We display screen about 5 instances the variety of individuals we’d like per season, which implies I’ve personally met round 1,500 to 2,000 candidates. If somebody looks as if they’d be an honest matchmaker-style advice, we forged them. However they do must be interesting. Confidence is the largest asset. Even medical doctors — usually seen as fascinating companions — typically depart Solo Land empty-handed.
 
 
Contestants typically cry or argue — hardly delicate habits for adults of their 30s. Can you are expecting when issues will escalate?
 
When individuals are positioned in a hyper-focused surroundings the place the one objective is discovering love, it’s unimaginable to remain in a single emotional state. That’s why, throughout enhancing, we attempt to reduce out inconsistent or randomly exaggerated moments. Generally, a participant’s traits are amplified due to their dynamic with others. For instance, the Twenty fourth-generation Okay-sun turned a standout for her flirty feedback to all of the male contestants. However with out Younger-sik’s intense courtship, her function wouldn’t have made such waves.
 
 
What’s the key to sustaining authenticity?
 
Every part has to align. From the start, we solely forged people who find themselves genuinely critical about relationship and marriage. And the members must belief that the manufacturing workforce received’t distort their picture in enhancing. That mutual belief brings out one of the best moments.
 

A display screen seize of the ″Solo Land Information″ web site, which posts data on the hit relationship present ″I Am Solo″ (2021-) and spin-offs [SCREEN CAPTURE]

 
Do producers resolve when and the way members select dates?
 
We make choices on-site primarily based on the pure movement of interactions. Again after we filmed the very first episode of ‘Jjak,’ we didn’t plan any occasions — we simply put the women and men collectively. However they acted too passively, pondering they may simply meet up after the present. So we launched the ‘lunch field choice,’ the place every particular person chooses a accomplice to share lunch with. That sparked extra initiative.
 
 
How did you give you the pseudonyms?
 
The names used on the present — like Okay-sun and Jeong-suk — have been among the many hottest in Korea through the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties. We launched the title Okay-sun within the sixth era, often giving it to ladies who’re particularly stunning or clever. Paradoxically, members named Jeong-suk typically find yourself being probably the most energetic and least jeongsuk [a Korean word meaning being pure and virtuous], of all.
 
 
How did the spinoffs come about?
 
The unique objective of ‘I Am Solo’ was to doc the start of affection — a journey a baby may sooner or later watch to see how their mother and father fell in love. As soon as love begins, the subsequent step is development. Whether or not the couple stays collectively, breaks up or begins a household, we wished to comply with the entire arc. That’s how ‘Love Continues’ took place. It additionally presents a second probability for contestants who didn’t discover a match. These evolving storylines deepen the universe of ‘I Am Solo.’

BY CHOI MIN-JI [[email protected]]