Yeawon & Junsik’s first day on the island (look at their smiles^^) Photo Credit: Netflix
Okay so I just finished watching the Netflix series, Singles’ Inferno, in 2 days and I still cannot get over my favourite couple (Yeawon & Junsik) so I decided to revive this blog to squeal about them. I originally wanted to give this show a miss because I am usually not a fan of dating reality shows but since I was stuck in quarantine with pretty much nothing to do I eventually decided to watch it. I was totally not expecting to end up being so invested in Yeawon and Junsik. Now I understand the appeal of trashy entertainment shows with pretty people showing a lot of skin every chance they got. Sadly, my favourite couple did not get a lot of screentime (Netflix I’m looking at you):( Nonetheless, the moments the audience got of the two were super cute and sweet.
Also, since Netflix gave everybody crumbs I just had to watch the series again and I was sure glad I did because I found more interactions between the couple that I missed the first time. I had to exercise some detective skills but the extra bits I could find of them in the background helped me piece together a little more of their story.
The First Meeting: I’ve Fallen For You
Yeawon looking gorgeous as she made her entrance. Photo Credit: NetflixYeawon’s entrance brought forth multiple gasps of ‘Wow’ from her fellow castmates but guess who was also looking at her the whole time? At least the producers were on point with their song choice Photo Credit: NetflixBy some coincidence (or fate?), Yeawon sat next to Junsik and he talked to her for the first time. I felt like this was the start of something special between them because we could often see these two sitting side-by-side in group settings in later episodes. Photo Credit: NetflixYeawon probably made a great first impression because Junsik names her as one of the girls who were his ideal type. Photo Credit: NetflixAww he loves her satoori too Photo Credit: Netflix
So many things were going on in this introduction scene that I absolutely missed all these hints of Junsik’s attraction towards Yeawon on my first watch.
The One-Man Woman
After the introductions were done, the group went to the kitchen to make dinner. Yeawon was being her usual charming self while she and Junsik were preparing the ingredients together. Photo Credit: Netflix
However, we find out later that Yeawon was actually flirting with Junsik because she picked him as her match on the first night and wrote him a postcard. Photo Credit: Netflix
*Bonus* I squealed when I saw this on my second watch. Yeawon looks like she was helping Junsik to put on an apron? So girl was making more moves during that cooking session on the first day? Photo Credit: Netflix
LOL Junsik was so happy reading that postcard from Yeawon (Too cute!). Photo Credit: NetflixUnfortunately, Junsik (like almost every other male participant in the series) was showing interest to Ji-A at this point so he didn’t write her a postcard. The way her eyes looked when she realised her postbox was empty and how she still smiled when she went back to the other girls broke my heart:( I started rooting for her and hoped she could have her happy ending. Photo Credit: NetflixThe next day rolled around and the girls had to vote for the guy they wanted to go to Paradise with. Only the couple who picked each other could go to Paradise. Once again, Yeawon picked Junsik. Photo Credit: NetflixHalf a day is too short a time for anything significant to change and Junsik continued to show interest in Ji-A. Photo Credit: Netflix
This meant that Yeawon became the only girl left on Inferno while the other girls went to Paradise with their matches. My heart broke for her again T.T Photo Credit: Netflix
Yeawon’s unrequited interest was so relatable. She was bubbly, friendly, kind and had the amazing talent of making people around her feel comfortable but the guy she likes was looking at someone else.
Interestingly, Junsik’s failure to pair-up with Ji-A got him to think about other options (Yes look harder Junsik there is one pretty gem waiting for you). I think he realised that Ji-A wasn’t the one who wrote him that postcard. Now, he has to consider whether to continue pursuing a girl who isn’t even looking his way or a girl who likes him but he doesn’t know if he likes (he doesnt know Yeawon was the mystery girl). Could he have been hoping that the mystery girl was Yeawon? Photo Credit: Netflix
The Opportunity: Stuck in Inferno…or Paradise?
The Good News for Yeawon is that while Junsik didn’t choose her, the girl he chose didn’t choose him either. They are now stuck in Inferno together, with Sehoon which turned out to be a good thing too because his mopey self (after a failed pairing with Jiyeon) prompted Yeawon and Junsik who were both caring souls to band together to cheer him up. Yeawon was also coincidentally stuck with the two best cooks in the series so not going to Paradise didn’t seem so bad after all. Photo Credit: NetflixWhile the three were preparing dinner, Sehoon cheekily started taking pictures and we got many nice polaroids of Yeawon and Junsik from this cooking session. The two of them were even dressed for the occasion in their matching blue outfits. Photo Credit: Netflix Korea YouTube ChannelSehoon then got Yeawon to sit beside Junsik to take ‘Honeymoon’ photos. Thanks Sehoon for being an awesome photographer and the best wingman! Photo Credit: Netflix Korea YouTube ChannelThat night, it seemed like Yeawon and Junsik got closer because they came back to the dormitories together from somewhere (to see a still mopey Sehoon of course) Photo Credit: NetflixLo and behold turns out Yeawon and Junsik were out for a walk together (just the two of them without Sehoon). Photo Credit: NetflixAfter Sehoon invited Yeawon to move to the guys’ dorm for the night, Yeawon could be seen sitting on Junsik’s bed while he scooted over to Hyunjoong’s (so Junsik already felt comfortable enough with Yeawon to give up his bed to her?) Photo Credit: NetflixYeawon and Junsik then began their counselling session for the still sad Sehoon. I found it quite cute that their advice was basically from their own experiences. Junsik had someone else he was interested in besides Ji-A i.e. Yeawon hence he asked Sehoon this question. Photo Credit: NetflixMeanwhile Yeawon’s eyes were only for Junsik which was Sehoon’s case with Jiyeon. It was not surprising then that Yeawon gave this advice to Sehoon. It felt like she was giving the advice to herself too because she was looking at Junsik while she said it. (Once again I’m praying hard that things go well for Yeawon and Junsik). Photo Credit: NetflixThe next morning came and Yeawon went to look for Junsik who just finished his morning workout. The sky was foggy but it was becoming clearer that the hearts of these two were slowly making their way closer to each other. Photo Credit: NetflixYeawon trying her best to find more commonalities with Junsik. (It’s okay girl he looks smitten with you already.) Photo Credit: Netflix
I really felt for Yeawon here because she must have thought this was her last chance to appeal to Junsik. Being stuck (almost) alone with him on Inferno was as good a chance to get him to notice her as she could get. By this point, everyone just could not wait to see them both go to Paradise together already.
The Couple who found Their Match…finally
As usual, Yeawon was unwavering in her choice of guy she wanted to go to Paradise with. Photo Credit: NetflixMeanwhile, the said guy was so worried. Photo Credit: NetflixThey finally chose each other! (*cries*) Photo Credit: NetflixJunsik was just soooo happy hahaha Photo Credit: NetflixThen again how could he not be? He really got the real deal. Yeawon has charming looks and a great personality too.Yeawon is so happy to see him. Photo Credit: NetflixThe way he was looking at her while picking up his bag (*screams*) Photo Credit: NetflixAwww the first thing he did when he came down was to apologise to Yeawon for keeping her waitingT.T Oh Junsik you don’t know just how long that girl has been waiting for you. Photo Credit: NetflixThis was too funny they were both so excited to go to Paradise that they started planning what they were going to do first even before they left Inferno. Photo Credit: NetflixIn Paradise, Yeawon could finally confess to Junsik just what he meant to her (*SO SWEET*) Photo Credit: NetflixHis happy face when he heard Yeawon’s confession. Photo Credit: NetflixThe night ends with both of them having a soak together in the bathtub and Junsik making an indirect confession (?) Photo Credit: Netflix
I would have liked to see more of their time together in Paradise seeing that it took them longer than the others (minus Sehoon) to get there but I am still very happy they both ended up in Paradise together.
Unfortunately, their screentime as a couple just went downhill from here but if we looked hard enough we could find clues of why this couple was endgame. Here are just some of my thoughts based on the crumbs I could find:
She wants to do their hobbies together.
Photo Credit: Netflix
From the disjointed conversation between Yeawon, Junsik, Sehoon and Jiyeon (because things were chaotic with the guys all fighting to catch the girls for a chat), it seemed like Yeawon brought her workout shoes to Paradise to go workout with Junsik in the morning but was disappointed that Junsik did not wake her up so both of them ended up working out alone(?). Wanting to do hobbies together is such a Yeawon thing because she did mention many times before that she liked how Junsik and her share a love for working out.
Bonus: She even offered to help Junsik put on tanning oil (*gasps*). Perhaps she was suggesting that they go out to the beach for a tanning session again together?
2. He takes care of her.
Junsik ‘scolding’ Yeawon for not wearing thicker clothes. This couple is seriously giving me old married couple vibes. Photo Credit: NetflixJunsik passing Yeawon a goguma (sweet potato). Photo Credit: NetflixJunsik shielding Yeawon’s face from the sun. (The sweetest~~) Photo Credit: Netflix
Junsik may not be the most expressive with words when it comes to romance but I think his actions show how he really likes Yeawon.
3. They’re both perfect for each other.
They’re both easily the most supportive of their friends among the cast members i.e. always hearing other people’s worries out and giving them advice. Photo Credit: NetflixA couple who waves together stays together. Photo Credit: Netflix
In a blink and you’ll miss it moment, you can see someone else’s hand waving together with Yeawon. I’m guessing it was Junsik as he was the one who told everyone that the helicopter was leaving. Yeawon is like the brightest ball of sunshine and Junsik is like the perfect person who matches well with her. Photo Credit: Netflix
He’s a cutie too:) Photo Credit: Netflix
So it made me absolutely devastated when the person Junsik had to wave goodbye to was YeawonT.T But it showed just how respectful and understanding of her he was (Too too sweet ahhh). Photo Credit: Netflix
4. They only have eyes for each other.
Guess who was cheering the loudest when Yeawon was running right behind Soyeon Photo Credit: NetflixAnd the person at the end of Junsik (blue cap)’s gaze was… Photo Credit: NetflixYup Yeawon:) Photo Credit: NetflixWhen the new guy (Hyunseung) told the other guys that he found Yeawon very charming and couldnt stop laughing when he was talking to her, this was Junsik’s expression. Photo Credit: NetflixThat evening, Yeawon was asking Hyunjoong if he was feeling alright after Ji-A went on a walk with Sihun and the camera pans to Junsik looking over at them. Photo credit: NetflixYeawon looks to Junsik for support when she realises things were getting awkward between Sehoon and Jiyeon.And again when Hyunjoong was complaining that he couldn’t sleep thinking about Ji-A and Hyunseung spending the night together in Paradise. Photo Credit: NetflixJunsik was worried about Yeawon having to go up against Soyeon and kept looking over even though he was standing right beside Ji-A (his partner for the game and the girl he had also been interested in).Yeawon went to back to stand behind Junsik after the game. Photo Credit: Netflix
5. He listens to her.
Junsik was already planning to make omelettes but changed his mind. Photo Credit: NetflixBecause a certain someone asked about fried eggs Photo Credit: Netflix
The most underrated and unproblematic couple
What started with a walk……ended with a happily ever after.
It has been a joy watching them on Single’s Inferno. While the other couples were interesting as well, no one else got me so hooked like they did. Hope these two could find their happily ever after together IRL too:)
Hi Netflix producers, if you’re reading this please release more unaired cuts of these two. Thank you!
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