Why Did Kwangsoo from "I Am SOLO" (28th Gen) Launch a Matchmaking Agency?

Hey diptok Fam! It's Ah-Young here! 👋

Lately, I’ve been seeing Kwangsoo from the 28th generation of I Am SOLO in the news again. This time, it’s not about his screen time on the show, but rather the news that he is launching his own matchmaking agency (Gyeol-jeong-sa).

If you watched the show, you know Kwangsoo. Throughout the season, he valued the person over their "conditions" (specs) and displayed a very cautious, deliberate attitude when making a choice.

Perhaps that’s why his decision to enter the business of connecting people—and through the most traditional form, a matchmaking agency—felt like more than just a regular update on a former contestant. To me, it felt like a signal of how far the Korean dating market has come, especially coming from someone who thinks so deeply about romance.

Before we dive in, let me share some related posts!

👉 The Moment Relationship Standards Clash Over a Chanel Bag
👉 Why Were People So Obsessed with 28th Gen Young-soo?

Why a Matchmaking Agency, of All Things?

Kwangsoo’s reasoning was relatively clear. He started with the problem that existing agencies are too focused on conditions, grading people like products, and failing to see the rhythm of conversation or daily lifestyle. It seems that while searching for true love on I Am SOLO, he realized something was missing in the system.

This sentiment isn't unfamiliar. Most people who have used these agencies or heard stories from friends say similar things:

"The specs on paper are great, but the conversation doesn't flow in person." * "I don't get a convincing explanation of why this person was introduced to me." * "Even if it fails, the experience isn't reflected in the next match." When you hear these complaints, Kwangsoo’s choice to say, "I see the problem, so I'll fix it myself," feels like a natural progression.

The Moment You "Design" a Match, the Connection Falters

However, this brings up an important question: Can we really match people "better" compared to traditional methods? Matchmaking agencies have always tried to answer this with more data, finer conditions, and more sophisticated categorization. But in that process, something vital gets left out.

It’s the sense of how a conversation actually flows between two people. The "spark" in a relationship often starts from things much smaller than salary or education. It's the way someone ends their sentences, the look in their eyes, or how they handle silence together.

AI can't master this, and it can't be organized into an Excel sheet. Making the "design" more sophisticated doesn't necessarily make the encounter more natural. The answer, then? We can't know if someone is right for us until we actually sit down and talk.

Why People Are Moving Toward Casual Connections

Interestingly, while matchmaking agencies are becoming more high-tech, structures like random chat, anonymous talk, and instant 1:1 matching are growing on the other side of the internet.

Why? Probably because there’s less pressure if it fails, you don't have to explain your whole life story, and you can end it quickly if it’s not a fit. People today prefer multiple low-pressure interactions over one "perfect" but heavy encounter. It’s not about avoiding responsibility; it’s about managing our precious time and emotional energy.

diptok Chose a Connection That Isn't "Designed"

From the start, diptok took a different path than matchmaking agencies.

There are no logins, no profiles, no photos, and no conversation logs. You start a conversation without knowing any "conditions" (specs). It’s a structure where you don't pile up data or explain yourself; you simply focus on the conversation at this very moment.

In diptok, while you're learning who the other person is, you also become more aware of your own state during the talk. Without other distractions, you can focus purely on the dialogue.

Of course, I’m not saying matchmaking agencies are wrong. Finding someone to date or marry through random chat is incredibly difficult, and many people don't start a chat with that specific goal. But the question remains:

Is the best way to connect people through more conditions, or through more conversation?

diptok bet on the latter. And we still believe that choice is right.

What Kind of Connection Are You Looking For?

Some days, a "designed" encounter feels more comfortable. Other days, a conversation that started with zero expectations becomes the most honest one. But 28th Kwangsoo’s matchmaking story ultimately asks us all the same thing:

"In what kind of structure can I speak most like myself?"

I hope today's story brought a bit of comfort to your night. If you need a place to share these thoughts comfortably, why not start an honest conversation on diptok?