No.1 in Buzz After 23 Weeks—The Show Everyone in Korea Is Talking About!

ENA and SBS Plus’ dating reality show 'I Am Solo' has reclaimed the No.1 spot in the TV-OTT non-drama buzz rankings for the first time in 23 weeks.

According to Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex analysis for the first week of February, released on February 12, the show experienced a surge in online engagement, with viewers showing a heightened interest in both the cast and the unfolding storyline. The diverse personalities of the 24th season cast, particularly the discussions surrounding contestant Ok-soon, played a major role in driving its popularity.

In addition to ranking first overall, 'I Am Solo' also topped the Voice of Netizen (VON) category, which measures the level of online discussions about a program. This result confirms that it was the most actively talked-about show across digital platforms. The continued dominance of the dating reality genre, combined with the increasing buzz surrounding each new season, has solidified 'I Am Solo' as one of the most talked-about programs.

Season 24: Strong Personalities and Unpredictable Developments

From the start, 'I Am Solo' Season 24 gained attention for its bold cast members and unpredictable developments. However, Ok-soon became the center of online discussions after facing controversy over what some viewers labeled a "fishing romance" approach, where she appeared to lead multiple contestants on simultaneously. During the show, Ok-soon went on dates with five different men—Young-soo, Young-ho, Young-sik, Young-chul, and Sang-chul—using similar flirtatious remarks in her one-on-one conversations. This created confusion among the contestants and fueled debates among viewers.

Her comments, such as "I feel like I could learn a lot from talking to you," "I think you'd be a great boyfriend," and "You seem like someone I could see myself marrying," raised concerns among viewers. MC Song Hae-na pointed out that her remarks sounded too similar across different conversations, while Defconn cautioned that "even flirting has an expiration date," urging her to make a clear decision.

Online reactions were divided, with some defending her as naturally exploring romantic possibilities, while others criticized her for expressing interest in too many contestants at once. Despite the controversy, the ongoing discussions only fueled the program’s popularity, ultimately helping 'I Am Solo' reclaim the top spot in the non-drama buzz rankings.

Top 10 Non-Drama Buzz Rankings

Following 'I Am Solo', Netflix’s 'Single’s Inferno 4' ranked second. The popularity of the dating reality genre was evident, as the anticipation for 'Single’s Inferno 4' and discussions surrounding its contestants kept it among the most talked-about programs. In third place was MBN’s 'The King of Singers 2', which saw a 61.8 percent increase in buzz from the previous week, largely due to singer Hwanhee’s performances.

Other notable rankings included 'You Quiz on the Block' (tvN) at No.4, boosted by the appearance of Pinocchio member Hwang Garam, leading to a 31.7 percent increase in buzz. 'I Live Alone' (MBC) at No.5, with Park Na-rae and Park Ji-hyun securing the No.1 and No.3 spots in individual buzz rankings.

'Knowing Bros' (JTBC) at No.6. 'Chef & My Fridge since 2014' (JTBC) at No.7. 'Kick a Goal' (SBS) at No.8. 'Divorce Camp' (TV Chosun) at No.9. 'Couple Palace 2' (Coupang Play) at No.10, which topped the news category and recorded a 278.6 percent increase in buzz compared to its first season.

In the individual non-drama buzz rankings, Park Na-rae took the No.1 spot, followed by Park Ji-hyun at No.3. 'Single’s Inferno 4' contestant Lee Si-an ranked No.5, while Kim Ga-young from 'Kick a Goal' and Joo Byung-jin from 'Can We Love Again?' ranked fourth and second, respectively.

Strong Pre-Broadcast Buzz for ‘Good Day’

Even before its broadcast, MBC’s upcoming variety show 'Good Day' made an impact in the rankings. G-Dragon, who is set to appear on the program, ranked No.6 in the individual buzz rankings, while the show itself placed 19th, reflecting significant anticipation from viewers.

How the Rankings Were Measured

The analysis was conducted between February 3 and February 9, 2025, covering both currently airing and upcoming TV non-drama and OTT original non-drama programs. The rankings were determined by aggregating data from news articles, netizen reactions (VON), video clips, short-form content, and social media engagement. Any irrelevant or manipulated data was filtered out to maintain an accuracy rate of over 97 percent.

With 'I Am Solo' reclaiming the top spot, it is clear that dating reality shows continue to dominate entertainment trends. As public interest and discussions about the contestants persist, attention is now on how the upcoming episodes will unfold.

Whether 'I Am Solo' can maintain its lead or if another dating reality program will take over remains to be seen.