Shining Solo

Shining Solo is a South Korean reality television show in the format of a dating show revolved around the members of K-pop boy band Treasure and a cast of female individuals. It was broadcast on SBS on March 3, 2024, and is simultaneously aired on OTT platforms in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. It is also available for streaming on Wavve in South Korea and on Viki and YouTube in selected regions.

Overview

Shining Solo adds to the list of self-produced content created by YG Entertainment and K-pop boy band Treasure, paired with South Korean broadcasting channel SBS. It embodies the format of a dating show, wherein members of the band split into two groups of five and appeal their charms to the female participants over the course of four days amidst their stay at the "Treasure Castle". At midnight, the members are evaluated by the female cast through jewels and voice recorders to earn the title "Mr. Treasure", a term for the most popular member.

Cast

Part 1

Name	Korean age	Notes
Lee Ji-yeon	1999	College student Works as an actress and model
Hong Ju-hee	2000	Nursing major at Yonsei University Appeared from episode 3 onward
Lee So-won	2001	Canadian nationality Works as an actress
Jo Hyun-seo	2001	Clothing major at Seoul National University Appeared from episode 3 onward
Yoo Mi-ho	2003	Works as an actress
Kim Ye-won	2004	K Plus model Starred in Romance Before Debut

Part 2

Name	Korean age	Notes
Lee Ha-yul	rowspan="3"	rowspan="2"
Han Seung-ji		-	-
Lee Min-ye	Studied Chinese at Seoul National University On leave from Law school Appeared from episode 7 onward		-
Jo Min-ji	1999	Works as a ballet instructor and K Plus model Studied ballet at Hanyang University
Park Ji-soo	2001	Studies Korean dance at Korean National University of Arts

Reception

Critical response

With the rarity of idol-produced content including the opposite gender due to K-pop fans placing themselves into parasocial relationships with the idols they support, Shining Solo sparked displeasure from such fans in Korea prior to its airing, expressing: "It makes no sense for an idol to appear on a dating show" and "I don't necessarily wish to see an idol with someone of the opposite gender". Its first episode earned a rating of 0.5% due to its late time slot and the domestic fandoms' reaction; however, its virality in Korean community sites piqued favorable reviews from the public recording a viewership of 1% by the sixth episode.
Shining Solo was commended for breaking walls within the industry and setting an exemplary method to display boundaries in idol fandoms. It particularly attained positive response from the international audience. Its success in Japan allowed the series to expand on eight additional streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video.

Viewership

Shining Solo ranked first on Lemino following its premiere and received warm reception, quickly spreading by word of mouth. It recorded the highest daily viewed content amidst all K-pop variety productions in its history, and soon ranked first for four consecutive weeks, maintaining a high amount of views on the platform. In Korea, the show received attention on social media after it aired, and found success in Taiwan and Thailand competing against local content. Shining Solo ranked first on Thai OTT platform OneD's entertainment category for four consecutive weeks, and seventh in its overall category by the third week. In Taiwan, the series placed first on friDay Video's entertainment category.