'Match to Marry: With Parents' Unmasks the Men: Lawyer, Seoul Homeowner, and an Elite S University Grad

The bachelors on “Match to Marry: With Parents” are finally putting their resumes on the table.

SBS’ reality series “Match to Marry: With Parents” brings together 10 singles ready to marry and 10 moms who are just as eager to see it happen. For six days and five nights, everyone lives under one roof while the moms watch their kids date in real time. Hosts Seo Jang-hoon, Lee Yo-won, and Kim Yo-han amp up the drama with hilarious, hyper-invested commentary. After premiering on Jan. 1 to a solid 2.7% average and a 4.0% peak (Nielsen Korea, Seoul metro households), the show also cracked No. 6 on Korea’s Netflix Top 10 Series, quickly emerging as a dark horse in the reality dating space.

Episode 2, airing Jan. 8, spotlights the all-important self-introductions that both the contestants and their moms have been waiting for. As the moms hype up their sons, credentials fly: a practicing lawyer, a Seoul homeowner, and even an alum from a coveted “S” university ― enough to make the women (and their mothers) sit up straight. When the lawyer (byeonho'sa') enters, the moms’ eyes light up and the questions come rapid-fire ― everything from dating history to ideal age gap to the financial independence he expects from a partner. With the barrage clearly heavier than for the other guys, Lee Yo-won cracks, “Told you ― moms love jobs that end in ‘-sa,’” sending the hosts into fits of laughter.

Then comes a twist you don’t see in most dating shows: it’s time for the “Date Request.” In an unprecedented “Mom Pick” round, the mothers alone choose who their daughters will go out with ― no consulting the actual daters. The hosts can only gasp “Oh my god” as several moms flip their first choices after the intros, and the daughters look stunned by the surprise matchups. When one contestant becomes the unexpected unanimous favorite, Seo Jang-hoon blurts, “Jackpot!” while Kim Yo-han clutches his head and groans, “Moms, why are you doing this?” to big laughs.

Elsewhere in the episode, the singles dive into surprisingly frank conversations. When Jo Eun-na-rae tells Seo Han-gyeol, “I definitely want kids,” Seo Jang-hoon can’t help but quip, “Are these two really talking like this not even a day after meeting?” as the pair speeds straight into marriage talk.

With moms and contestants backing different favorites, sparks are guaranteed. Episode 2 of “Match to Marry: With Parents” airs Thursday, Jan. 8, at 9 p.m.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)