Youngsik controversy sparks resignation talk

Jan 21, 2026, 07:49 am

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Youngsik from season 29 of I Am Solo. / ENA

Youngsik, a cast member from season 29 of the dating reality show I Am Solo, is reportedly facing rumors that he has resigned from his job following controversy surrounding his on-air behavior.

According to recent posts on online communities, Youngsik is said to have left his workplace after briefly showing up to say goodbye. The exact date of his resignation has not been confirmed. The posts claim he did not report to work on Thursday or Friday after the episode aired on Wednesday, before appearing one last time on Monday.

The controversy centers on a conflict between Youngsik and fellow cast member Youngsook that aired on Jan. 14. In the episode, Youngsik expressed renewed interest in Oksun after a date and later approached Youngsook—who had been resting at the lodge—to pursue her as well. Youngsook strongly criticized him, saying, “Are you trying to be a villain? Get a grip. Stop stirring things up everywhere,” and added that he was acting “extremely selfishly” and needed to “learn how to behave properly in society.”

After reports of Youngsik’s possible resignation surfaced, public reaction was sharply divided. Some viewers said Youngsook’s remarks were justified, arguing that Youngsik’s repeated behavior made others uncomfortable and would be considered problematic even in everyday professional settings.

Others, however, criticized the exchange as excessive, saying it crossed a line to publicly scold someone on a dating show by invoking their age and social competence. They warned that comments linking on-screen behavior to real-world careers could have serious consequences.

Questions have also been raised about the responsibility of the production team. Some netizens argued that the show aired conflicts unrelated to romance purely for screen time, portraying the cast member as socially maladjusted and potentially harming his livelihood. Citing past cases involving reality show participants, critics warned that such exposure could put individuals at serious risk.

I Am Solo airs on ENA and has drawn both strong viewership and recurring debate over the ethics of editing and participant protection.

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