‘Original trendsetter’ Seo In Young and ‘MZ trend analyst’ Mimiminuu unleashed candid remarks about the changing dating culture.
On the E Channel variety program Seo In Young’s trend old-timer (directed by Lee Ji-seon), which aired on the 1st, Seo In Young and Mimiminuu examined generational differences in meeting methods and relationship culture under the keyword ‘recent dating trends.’
That day, Seo In Young, who appeared in the studio in a flashy style, said “It’s been a while since I’ve been an MC, so I dressed like a princess,” adding “From today I’m going to chew up trends,” showing unusual enthusiasm. Then creator Mimiminuu appeared as the partner to explore current trends together.
Upon Mimiminuu’s introduction, who has mastered not only studying but also K-pop and AI, Seo In Young expressed satisfaction, saying “I like a man who is well educated,” and the two showed perfect chemistry from the start, promising an enjoyable talk.
The theme of the trend chart prepared by Mimiminuu that day was ‘recent dating trends.’ From rotation blind dates where one meets several people in a short time to so-called ‘aparting,’ where residents of the same apartment complex meet, new ways of meeting that were rare in the past were introduced.
Confronted with a young generation’s dating culture that efficiently weighs time and conditions, Seo In Young retorted, “I want to meet someone who matches well from the start, but is that as easy as it sounds?” Regarding ‘aparting,’ meeting residents of the same apartment complex, she reacted realistically, saying, “If a blind date didn’t go well, wouldn’t it be awkward to run into them?” which drew laughter.
Generational differences were also evident regarding changed dating variety shows. Seo In Young recalled the program she appeared on, ‘We Got Married,’ saying, “There was affection and there was romance” about past dating programs.
Seo In Young, who said she went to the set without knowing who her partner would be and met Crown J, recalled, “There were times when I was confused whether it was a virtual marriage or a real marriage.” She continued, “It felt like comradeship. If something happened to oppa, I felt I had to stand up for him,” revealing how deeply she immersed herself in the program.
She even said she was asked by production to refrain from talking because she kept talking with Crown J off camera, drawing attention. Unlike the past, when dating shows were treated as a single relationship, the two’s perspectives diverged on the point that recently it has become natural to start and end relationships in more varied ways.
Mimiminuu explained that recently, rather than randomly asking for contact information on the street, people have started going directly to places where they are more likely to meet their ideal type. If you want to meet a practical and frugal person, you might go to a household goods store; if you want to meet a cultured person, you might go to a bookstore.
In the process, Seo In Young’s real dating behind-the-scenes was also revealed. Seo In Young said that in the past, stylists sometimes played the role of ‘messenger of love’ in celebrities’ meetings, and that she herself had received notes through a stylist. She attracted interest by revealing, “I dated that person for three and a half years,” adding that the other person was also a celebrity.
When the topic of the so-called ‘eommi-sae,’ where emotional intimacy with a mother replaces dating, came up, Seo In Young took a firm stance. When Mimiminuu described a young generation that fills the empathy and bonds obtained from dating through family relationships by traveling with mom, shopping, visiting restaurants and even consulting about worries together, Seo In Young drew a line, saying, “A mother is just a mother and you must become independent,” and “I can’t understand this.”
To Mimiminuu, who said she meets her mother once a week and even gets feedback on content, Seo In Young added, joking, “You should do that with your girlfriend,” encouraging dating and eliciting more laughter.
What shocked Seo In Young the most was ‘AI dating.’ Mimiminuu introduced overseas cases where people not only formed bonds with AI that converses and responds in the way they want but even held actual weddings.
Seo In Young, who could not easily accept the explanation that one could share romantic feelings with a virtual AI being, heard that it was a virtual existence rather than a humanoid and said, “I’m shocked today. Shocked,” showing her dismay.
Thus, Seo In Young and Mimiminuu used the single keyword ‘dating’ to examine the rapidly changing landscape of relationships, from ways of meeting and dating variety shows to emotional ties with family and connections with AI.
When Mimiminuu asked for a word to people who “want to date but fear wasting time and getting hurt,” Seo In Young replied without hesitation, “Get through it, let’s get through it.” The clash between today’s dating culture that values efficiency and rationality and Seo In Young’s perspective formed from meeting people in person and building relationships face to face was resolved into good-humored laughter despite the generational gap.
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast capture
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