If you’re remotely interested in Korean reality TV, then Better Late Than Single should be at the top of your list right now. Personally, I’m not a big fan of this kind of TV, especially because of the judges and how they essentially want people to basically transform themselves in order to find the partner they like. If it worked that way, then nobody would have a personality, right? This show is about people who’ve never dated before, and like a 2000s rom-com, they get a makeover before they show up. While some changes seem relevant and okay, like changing somebody’s hair color or style because it doesn’t work too well for them, telling someone to take off their massive glasses and then calling them undatable in them is a bit overkill in my opinion. In the 3rd episode, we were introduced to a new contestant. Well, not exactly introduced, but she said hello in Japanese, making us all believe that she’s a Japanese person. Spoiler alert: she’s not. I did think it would be odd, but also that’s what they did on Love Like A K-drama. I do already have my favorites, but I have a feeling they’re going to end up alone even after this show, mainly because they’re self-aware and certain of what they want in a partner. But let’s get into episodes 4, 5 and 6.
Does she change her mind?
The new contestant is called Kim Mi-Ji, and Sang-Ho is lucky enough to have a one-on-one date with her, because none of the other girls chose him. Sang-Ho still likes Ji-Su, but he hasn’t expressed himself very well so far. He finds Mi-Ji interesting and appreciates her joke about starting the conversation in Japanese as an icebreaker. The first pair we see in this episode is Jeong-Mok and Min-Hong. Honestly, I’m not even going to hide my bias here, because Min-Hong just seems like the perfect candidate for this show. She’s here for love, but she’s also super straightforward yet cute when she likes somebody. It’s quite adorable to see her do stuff specifically for Jeong-Mok because it’s entirely the opposite of her personality. Their date is at a haunted house, and they end up holding hands in there, and while this whole thing makes Min-Hong very happy, Jeong-Mok has his eyes set on Do. But Min-Hong isn’t the only one who likes Jeong-Mok. Min-Hong even carries her own glasses to their date after telling Jeong-Mok to wear his so they could have a “couple” item. Girl, your cuteness is showing. It’s funny we got introduced to Mi-Ji in this episode, but like Seung-Chan, soon after the intros, she’s kind of forgotten. Not very game-changer-like if you ask me.
Ji-Yeon chooses to go out with Jae-Yun, her first choice, and the date seems to go okay. There’s nothing very exciting about it, and Jae-Yun also has his eyes set on someone else (this is a common pattern in these 3 episodes). Jae-Yun and Jeong-Mok’s relationship is also quite sweet to watch. They’re friends and roommates, so they help each other out with advice. In this episode, the girls reveal their ages and jobs; the most surprising ones are Min-Hong, who is a stylist and fashion marketer, and Ji-Su, a ballet dancer. Now, Jae-Yun likes Yeo-Myung, but Yeo-Myung likes Jeong-Mok, and since the boys are friends, Jeong-Mok keeps pushing Jae-Yun toward Yeo-Myung, which is not exactly fair to her.
Later, Mi-Ji is sent to the suite to choose a person to get to know, whereas the rest of them have their 15-minute random talking sessions. Mi-Ji chooses her fellow game changer, but honestly, I forgot about both of them 5 minutes later. Min-Hong and Jae-Yun put their friendship on display here. It’s quite funny, like watching an elder sister-younger brother duo. Meanwhile, Jeong-Mok finally gets to talk to the person he’s been eyeing since day one. It’s day 3, and he gets to talk to Do. She’s surprised by his confidence in saying he likes her and had no idea he had been thinking about her this whole time. Interestingly, the random picking happens twice, and Do ends up with Jeong-Mok both times. Do decides that instead of focusing on the person she liked and being hurt by it, she’ll go with someone who likes her and give him a chance. I suppose Jeong-Mok can make her happy, and they’re actually quite a sweet pairing. I just feel bad for Min-Hong, ahh, but Do deserves everything. On the other hand, Ji-Su gets to talk to Seung-Li, and he’s delighted by it. This is another one of those pairings that hasn’t had any time together yet. I personally like Ji-Su more with Hyun-Kyu. But he writes her a letter, so she appreciates his directness.
Why Does Jae-Yeon Break Down?
Later, Do accidentally breaks it to Yeo-Myung that Jeong-Mok told her that she was his first choice. She just assumed he’d told more people, but she’s also chosen the wrong person to tell. She immediately regrets it and tells Jeong-Mok about it, and he gives her a letter as if it didn’t bother him at all (which is the right reaction!). Jae-Yun does get to talk to Yeo-Myung, but it’s not enough time for them to really get into it. The boys compete to pick their date, and Seung-Li and Hyun-Kyu are on top, with Jeong-Mok following. Now Seung-Li picks Ji-Su, of course, leaving Hyun-Kyu to go with someone else. But Jae-Yun, who is the second last, ends up not getting to go with Yeo-Myung. Ji-Yeon is hurt by him, because even though Jae-Yun knew she was into him, when he was meant to choose the date, he made it obvious that she was his last choice. The man was flustered, but he didn’t have to ask who the two people were who were left. This time it’s double dates, and it doesn’t go very well for Seung-Li and Sang-Ho.
Seung-Li makes it a drinking competition, which just leaves Ji-Su and Mi-Ji bored. But more importantly, Ji-Su tells Seung-Li that she doesn’t want him to compete, but he continues to do it. Instead of focusing on her, he focuses on Sang-Ho. Pfft, male ego, am I right? On the other hand, Yeo-Myung chooses to go bowling because she thinks she’ll get some time with Jeong-Mok, because he wants to go bowling too, but she’s disheartened to see how happy Do and he seem. It’s like a love triangle, and Hyun-Kyu is just there. Jeong-Mok really likes Do, and it seems like her feelings are changing, too, because he’s very considerate of her. The third set gets to enjoy ATV rides, and after letting her hair down, Ji-Yeon tells Jae-Yun that she felt bad earlier. He’s disappointed with himself about not apologizing to her first, which makes him very upset and flustered while they’re still out. But as soon as he’s back, he spends the whole night crying by himself because he’s embarrassed and realizes he’s insensitive. Moreover, he’s always been the kind of guy who has more shame than confidence.
Who Does Ji-Su Choose?
In the 6th episode, Yeo-Myung asks Min-Hong for advice despite both of them pining for the same guy. Min-Hong isn’t giving up just yet, but she’s also not super eager to find her match immediately. She’s very nice to Yeo-Myung and gives her fantastic advice, which the judges can’t seem to fathom. Yeo-Myung finally gets to talk to Jeong-Mok, and she tells him that she’s chosen him and there’s no one else. This makes him feel bad, and he ends up tearing up, seeing her sincerity, but it’s very clear he’s not going to choose her. But, I wonder if he’s still got some feelings for Min-Hong. Also, there’s a random tarot card reading session in this episode, and I don’t even know why. But it makes Ji-Yeon cry because I guess it makes it clear to her that she needs to change tactics. But Jae-Yun makes a proper apology to her, and she tells him that he shouldn’t try to run away from his feelings but tell people how he truly feels, because the former is what hurt her more. The judges joke that this has become a self-reflection show. Just to add some drama to the mix, Hyun-Kyu ends up spending an hour with Ji-Su, which annoys the other two boys interested in her. So, Seung-Chan (who has no other screen time) tells him that people are judging him negatively. He thinks it’s fair to tell him as his roommate. The next morning, Ji-Su essentially lets Sang-Ho go, telling him not to come see her, but nicely; however, he doesn’t get how serious she is.
The dates begin, and unfortunately, Mi-Ji, Min-Hong, and Ji-Yeon don’t get any dates. Hyun-Kyu is the first to visit Ji-Su, and she tells him that she’s been through therapy and had a stalker situation before, so she’s kind of finicky. He empathizes with her, but it doesn’t seem like that’s what she wants to hear. Earlier, she also had a word with Min-Hong and asked her if she was being selfish, but Min-Hong tells her that finding a partner is a choice, unlike putting up with your parents and kids, so it’s only fair she’s so clear about what she wants. She then meets Seung-Li, who gives her a better reaction, kind of letting the subject pass rather than focusing on it, which is what she likes (I somehow don’t like this pairing at all, but what about you?). Oh, I almost forgot, Sang-Ho still likes Ji-Su, even though she told him not to come. Apparently his feelings have intensified since this date, which doesn’t really make sense, but okay.
Jae-Yun finally meets Yeo-Myung, which means she’s trying to move on and give him a chance as well. He’s awkward but also lets her know that he really likes her. Jae-Yun tells her that he’s certain of his feelings and doesn’t want any regrets, so even if she likes someone else, he’ll try to hang onto her. Also, a cat gets involved with their date, which is very cute.
Better Late Than Single episode 6 ends with Do and Jeong-Mok having what seems to be the perfect date. At least in the judges’ eyes. To me, it just looked kind of like an interrogation, but I suppose that’s what these kinds of things are meant to be. But they believe they’re probably dating now. However, after all of this, at the end, the cliffhanger is that Do is weeping the next night, saying something like, “You took everything and left. Who do you think you are?” Yikes, I wonder if this is about Jeong-Mok or somebody else. I don’t understand this vibe shift at all.
