"If this is just for the show again..."
How real is the 'something' between actors Kim Seung-soo and Yang Jeong-ah (both 52), who are the same age?
At the end of the SBS entertainment program 'My Ugly Duckling' (hereafter 'MiuSae') aired on the 8th, a preview for the next episode featuring Kim Seung-soo and Yang Jeong-ah was revealed. In the preview, Kim Seung-soo seems to be preparing to confess.
Kim Seung-soo starts by saying, "Jeong-ah, I've never said this out loud before," and continues, "Honestly, I've hidden my feelings a lot. This time, I felt that if I hide them, I would regret it a lot." He then announces, "I need to talk today," hinting at a bombshell declaration.
Upon seeing this, Yang Jeong-ah appears both excited and nervous.
The two are shown in a close-up on screen. As seasoned actors, it's hard to tell whether their expressions are genuine or just acting.
Kim Seung-soo's confession will be revealed in the 'MiuSae' episode airing on the 15th, leaving viewers confused about whether to watch it with skepticism or to boldly ignore it while reflecting on what has happened so far.
It's been a while since 'MiuSae' became the celebrity version of 'I Am Solo'. For parents, the most frustrating part of their 'ugly duckling' children's lives might be their single living situation (or returning after marriage), but the situation is getting more serious. Cast members like Lee Sang-min and Heo Kyung-hwan have been introduced to blind dates, and even Kim Seung-soo has had a blind date on 'MiuSae'.
Whether it's because their hearts didn't connect or because the meetings had a purpose, not a single couple has been formed, yet the show continues to push blind dates, leading to a preconceived notion that it's all for the show, which diminishes excitement and fun.
The main characters of the love game on 'MiuSae' are Kim Seung-soo and Yang Jeong-ah, who have been friends for 20 years. As the love line between comedian Kim Jun-ho and Kim Ji-min quiets down, all attention is focused on them.
Kim Seung-soo is a likable middle-aged actor known as the 'middle-aged Park Bo-gum'. His acting and personal life are both clean, making him quite popular.
After joining 'MiuSae', Kim Seung-soo has shown a clean home, good cooking skills, and involvement in acting and business, increasing his likability, but he has veered off course by starting a 'something' with Yang Jeong-ah.
At first, viewers were all excited. With two good-looking people of the same age, there was a growing voice of support hoping their feelings would blossom.
However, excitement can only last so long. As the show repeatedly presents a situation that seems like 'something' but isn't quite, and a friendship that feels like a romance, viewers began to tire. They went on sweet amusement park dates, whispered birthday wishes to each other, and went on couple outings with celebrity friends, but each time it ended there.
Moreover, last week on 'MiuSae', when Kim Seung-soo confessed his stress during a psychological counseling session, saying he has about 2,000 contacts on his phone but "the number of people I can talk to about my true feelings is embarrassingly 0," the excitement level plummeted.
Like everything, there are two sides to it; an actor's appearance on a variety show can be beneficial or detrimental. While it can raise public recognition and popularity, the image built as an actor can be shattered by what is shown on the show.
The likability that actor Kim Seung-soo has built up until now is a blend of his external gentleness and the seemingly genuine image he has built through dramas. He has also neatly handled a middle-aged romance that transcends age differences in the KBS2 weekend drama 'Three Siblings Brave' aired in 2022-2023.
I hope the 'something' between Yang Jeong-ah and Kim Seung-soo is real. If in youth one dreams of a passionate love, in middle age, a partner who feels like a friend can bring warmth, which would be wonderful if it works out.
However, if this is another 'something' for the show, it will be a 'MiuSae' appearance that brings more harm than good. The image built up until now will crumble, and Yang Jeong-ah will linger in any future romance.
As one ages, friends are just as precious as lovers. If the 'something' between the two long-time friends is just perfect acting, they might end up losing a friend. It's sad to worry about celebrities, knowing it's utterly pointless. If this is all calculated because they are entertainers to the core, then I hope it's truly unnecessary worry. If that's the case, it would be a bit chilling, but since this isn't the first time, I'll just let it be.
If not, and they are merely acting out a scripted 'something' on a variety show, they should know when to stop. Viewers are not fools, and fan loyalty can turn cold in an instant.
