Men using sponsorships to reduce dating costs, partners question "Why even meet?"

The cast of the JTBC variety program 'Love War' revealed differing perspectives regarding the attitude shown by a male participant who utilizes sponsorships to reduce dating costs.

Attempts to reduce dating costs through sponsorships and resulting conflicts

According to the video of episode 13 of JTBC's 'Love War' broadcast on September 21, 2026, the cast members discussed the behavior of a male participant who tries to reduce dating costs by utilizing sponsorships. According to the conversation in the video, the man in question has naturally continued dates using sponsorships, saying, "If we utilize things like this, we can reduce our dating costs a lot."

In the conversation among the cast in the video, the choice and subsequent psychological burden arising from the process of obtaining sponsorships were mentioned. One cast member explained a situation where, once the man obtains a sponsorship, he acts as if he holds the final decision-making power, implying that his approval is required to go to the sponsored location. In this process, dating plans were sometimes changed due to the distance to the sponsored location or issues with menu selection. Although a sponsored location was chosen thinking it was close to the Yangpyeong area, a situation occurred where they actually had to take a long detour, resulting in a situation where they had to travel for an hour to eat udon. Regarding this, opinions were exchanged about whether they could not eat in Seojong, showing the adjustment of dating plans.

Additionally, the situation where the man acts as if he is the final decision-maker in selecting sponsored locations was also mentioned. Due to the structure where the partner can only go to the location if the man's sponsorship is approved, it was reported that the partner feels a psychological pressure of always having to walk on eggshells, as they cannot go if the man says no, even though "he worked hard to get it."

"If dates are only done through sponsorships"... Questions about the essence of a relationship

Regarding the dating method centered around sponsorships, the cast raised questions about the purpose of the relationship. In the conversation captured in the video, the cast mentioned the situation where, despite the man putting effort into the process of obtaining sponsorships, the partner must follow the sponsorship conditions for the date. In particular, the topic of conversation became the man's attitude, which, instead of being grateful, seems to demand, "Look at the amount and think before you get a sponsorship."

In particular, the cast posed the question, "If you have a boyfriend but only go on dates through sponsorships, why even meet?", suggesting that if the purpose of dating focuses too much on reducing costs through sponsorships, the essence of the relationship may be blurred. The video is composed around the conversation between the man, who tries to lead dates by continuously mentioning sponsorships, and the cast members, who express doubt about this.