A Korean couple, together for four years, recently appeared on JTBC's dating reality show “Dating Battle” (연애 전쟁). The woman not only claimed to resemble Karina (카리나) from K-pop group aespa (에스파) but also drew public criticism for her obsession with influencer-recommended spots and frequent demands for her boyfriend to run errands. Their dating schedule and expenses became major points of contention, with the woman even stating, “I’m the boss.” K-pop superstar Lee Hyori (이효리) shook her head in disbelief, exclaiming, “Even Sang-soon (상순) oppa couldn't handle that!”
The “Dating Battle” episode, which aired on the 12th, featured the relationship struggles of Lee Ju-hyang (이주향), who placed third in the Miss World Korea beauty pageant, and her boyfriend, Park Jin-sung (박진성). Park was described as a loyal servant, always accommodating his girlfriend. Lee Ju-hyang currently runs a clothing brand, actively participating in design and production, showcasing her strong entrepreneurial spirit.
When discussing her appearance, Lee Ju-hyang confidently declared herself a “Karina look-alike beauty,” adding that she was often told she resembled actresses Lee Na-young (이나영) and Han Ye-seul (한예슬) when she was younger. Hearing this, host Seo Jang-hoon (서장훈) looked uncomfortable, even stating, “I’m a bit worried today, I wonder if this is okay?” Lee Hyori, however, directly commented that while Lee Ju-hyang certainly had her own charm, she did not think she looked like Karina, reacting quite frankly.
Park Jin-sung revealed that he was captivated by Lee Ju-hyang at first sight from across a crosswalk, leading to their four-year relationship. However, Park Jin-sung, an aspiring nutritionist currently job-hunting, admitted that their relationship began to change after his girlfriend won the beauty pageant earlier this year. He described how their affection seemed to be slowly eroding, with both of them starting to build emotional walls, and their relationship gradually showing warning signs.
Lee Ju-hyang described herself as a “dopamine addict,” passionate about trends and new experiences. She enjoys attending music festivals and Waterbomb parties, even stating her desire to “party until dawn.” She also frequently visits various limited-time pop-up stores, showing great enthusiasm for trendy things.
Lee Ju-hyang insisted on personally experiencing any popular spot or food that went viral online. For a “bread pilgrimage,” she would travel an hour and 40 minutes to her destination. Upon seeing popular salt croissants on social media, she willingly waited in line for three hours just to taste them.
However, during a scorching summer with a perceived temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, their pursuit of popular spots led to conflict. Park Jin-sung not only had to carry his girlfriend's bag and hold her parasol but also carry bags of bread, accompanying her in long queues under the blazing sun. Eventually, he grew visibly exhausted and complained, “I really feel like I’m going to faint, the weather is too hot, it’s unbearable!”
Witnessing this scene, Lee Hyori was also astonished by Lee Ju-hyang's almost frantic passion for checking in at popular spots, shaking her head and remarking, “Even Sang-soon oppa couldn't handle that!” Her words expressed her concern about the couple's dynamic.
Even more shockingly, during an interview with the production team, Lee Ju-hyang openly stated, “My boyfriend must do everything I tell him to do, without resistance. I think I’m the boss.” This statement further intensified public interest in their relationship dynamic. In the show, Lee Ju-hyang not only demanded her boyfriend buy her cosmetics during dates but also made him responsible for taking photos at pool parties. Despite his evident reluctance, Park Jin-sung often complied silently, much to the surprise of the studio guests.
Beyond their daily interactions, the couple's dating expenses also became a point of contention. The show documented them visiting six popular cafes in one day, with total expenses reaching 192,800 Korean won. Faced with the astonishing cost, Park Jin-sung admitted, “Honestly, dating expenses are a burden, and visiting six dessert shops in one day is something I really can't understand. If it were me, I’d rather spend that money on pork belly and soju.”
The production team then asked Park Jin-sung if he felt like he was working for his girlfriend and should even be paid. He replied that it was fine because he was doing it for his girlfriend. Hearing this, Lee Hyori couldn't help but express her concern: “I feel uneasy; unpaid efforts in the past have never ended well.” This seemingly sweet but subtly unbalanced relationship left the show's guests worried about the couple's future.
