"Matchmaking Camp 2" heated up Thursday night with the bold and honest advances of its participants.
In the third episode of SBS's "Children's Release Project - Matchmaking Camp 2" (hereinafter "Matchmaking Camp 2"), which aired on July 9, the love lines began to shift as the "Mom-picked dates" were followed by dates chosen by the male participants, revealing their true feelings. The episode reached a peak viewership rating of 2.2% (based on Nielsen Korea's metropolitan area household data), proving its intense popularity.
The scene-stealer who provided the biggest laughs and plot twists in this episode was none other than the mother of participant Lee Kang-hyun. Lee Kang-hyun suffered the pain of being a "three-time zero-vote woman," having failed to receive a single vote for three consecutive episodes. While enjoying a "chicken and beer" date with her mother in the lonely dormitory after all the other participants had left for their dates, Lee could not hold back her sadness and teared up, saying, "I'm sad because I'm afraid you'll look at me with pity."
At that moment, instead of being swayed by her daughter's tears, Lee's mother surprised the studio by delivering a powerful, blunt "T-type" (logical/rational) remark: "Pull yourself together." She kept her daughter's mental state in check with cold, realistic insight, saying, "I do feel for you, but it doesn't break my heart. So don't get hung up and cry just because you weren't chosen." Watching this on screen, MC Seo Jang-hoon burst into laughter, giving a "double thumbs up" and saying, "I really like her mother. She said exactly what I wanted to say," showing his strong agreement.
Meanwhile, a romance bloomed as one participant completely melted another's heart with sincere comfort. Kim Dong-young had his first one-on-one date with Yang Ha-yoon, an oriental medicine doctor who had left him with the humiliation of zero votes during the first impression selection. Kim looked through Yang's inner thoughts—who often neglects herself while taking care of others—and offered warm sincerity, saying, "Are you taking good care of your own happiness? Let's find a way for us to be happy together."
Touched by Kim Dong-young's consideration, which fully understood her, Yang Ha-yoon burst into tears and opened her closed heart, saying, "I am curious about you, Dong-young." At the dramatic synchronization of the two's emotions, MC Kim Yo-han cheered, saying, "I told you those two would end up together."
In other developments, the straightforward approach of Kang Shin-woo, who has no religion, toward "Pilates studio owner" Kim Da-hye easily overcame the barrier of faith. For the sake of Kim Da-hye, who values her religious life, Kang promised to attend dawn services, saying, "I can go to church just for the sake of being with you," bringing laughter to the viewers. In particular, he surprised Seo Jang-hoon once again with his confident remark: "I feel like I'm holding onto you too much. Please talk to other people and find out what a great person I am."
Amidst the unpredictable whirlwind of emotions, "Matchmaking Camp 2," which airs every Thursday at 9 p.m., is raising expectations for what kind of turmoil will unfold next week with the announced reveal of the male participants' actual backgrounds.
Reported by Kang Sun-ae
(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Sun-ae)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.