Singles Inferno 5 Review: The Red Flags, The Green Flags, And Lots Of Entertaining Drama
I LOVE Singles’ Inferno and have watched every season till now. And this is the first time I will be writing about this show here because this season was on 🔥 and I wanted to share my thoughts, views, and opinions about all that went through this season. Unlike my usual reviews, I will not be listing the good and bad of the show, but only what I felt about the contestants and the show in general.
Season 5 of Single’s Inferno had 15 contestants, which is more than any of the previous seasons. And what I liked best about this year’s contestants is that each contestant had a different personality and brought something unique to the island. From the quiet observers to the confident flirts, from the emotionally expressive ones to those who hid behind calm smiles, everyone added a different shade to the overall experience.
I had an absolute fun ride this season, and here is everything I felt while watching this addictive dating show unfold.
Single’s Inferno Season 5
On Singles’ Inferno 5, attractive singles live on an island together to find their match and leave the island with a romantic match. With no phones, no distractions and only basic survival conditions in “Inferno,” contestants must form genuine connections to be able to escape to “Paradise” for dreamy dates and deeper conversations.
This season raises the stakes with more contestants, stronger personalities and complicated love triangles that keep shifting with every episode. As friendships form and rivalries spark, the show explores modern dating in its rawest form, where attraction, jealousy, vulnerability and strategy all play out in real time. This post is full of spoilers, so if you have not watched the show yet and do not want me to ruin the fun, then please read no further.
My thoughts:
The show begins with the usual drill, contestants arrive on the beach and choose a partner to go to Paradise based purely on appearance and limited interaction. But this time, after the first two couples left for Paradise, a few more contestants were introduced. I absolutely loved this little twist in the very first episode. It added a sense of surprise and shook up the dynamics right from the start.
The first batch of contestants included the supposedly most loved contestant this year, Kim Min Gee. A track athlete who has appeared in several reality shows before, she is probably the only famous contestant this season. She received the maximum number of votes to go to Paradise and left with the contestant of her choice. Soon after she departed for Paradise entered the other most talked-about contestant, Choi Mina Sue. Love her or hate her, you just cannot ignore her.
Personally, I enjoyed this season largely because of the beautiful yet annoying Choi Mina Sue. She had such an overpowering personality that the makers also clearly ensured she got ample screen time, and her presence dominated most of the narrative.
So what made her so unique and memorable?
Online, I saw a lot of hate directed toward her for being indecisive and for behaving like a “pick me girl” (a slang term for a woman who seeks male attention by putting down other women). While Mina Sue definitely tried to attract multiple men on the show, I personally never saw her putting other women down. So I don’t think that label fits her entirely. That said, she was problematic in many ways because of her fickle mind and inability to stick to one partner.
When she initially interacted with Sung Hoon, I didn’t see any spark between them. She didn’t lead him on, either and friend-zoned him quickly. Yes, she used him as emotional support at times, but there was no real chemistry. Her strongest chemistry was clearly with Lim Su Been, and I felt he reciprocated her feelings, at least in the beginning. However, things went downhill when she started showing interest in Song Seung Il, Woo Sung Min and even Sung Hoon right in front of Su Been. Any self-respecting person would naturally distance themselves from someone who doesn’t value their attention.
I never fully understood why Mina Sue drifted away from Su Been when he was completely into her. Why did she pursue Seung Il despite Su Been’s clear interest? The only explanation I could think of was the age factor. Su Been is three years younger than Mina Sue, which may have made her hesitant. She probably assumed Seung Il was older and therefore explored that connection first. But when she realised he too was younger, perhaps Su Been seemed like the better choice. Unfortunately, by then, Su Been had already chosen Park Hee Sun.
Interestingly, Su Been showed no interest in Hee Sun while he was focused on Mina Sue. From what I observed, it initially seemed like he used Hee Sun to make Mina Sue jealous, and it worked. Mina Sue returned, asking him to forget their misunderstanding. However, during his Paradise date with Hee Sun, Su Been discovered that she was not only younger but also a student at Carnegie Mellon University. Her credentials and personality appeared to impress him deeply, and he decided to move forward with her instead of returning to the wavering Mina Sue. In the last episode, when Mina Sue asked Su Been what made him fall for Park Hae Sun, he answered that he liked how she fought in a task. Huh? Was that the only attractive quality about her? Even Mina Sue was not fully convinced with his answer. Mainly because she wanted to know what made him choose Hae Sun over her. hehehehe 😉
One of Mina Sue’s most attractive qualities, in my opinion, was her international exposure and fluent English. But when Hee Sun also displayed similar qualities and did so without making a show of them, she probably came across as even more appealing to Su Been. In the end, Mina Sue may have walked out of the inferno with another guy, but when she asked Su Been what he liked about Hae Sun, it clearly showed she was not fully over him. I get it. It is a TV show, and she did not want to leave alone, so she chose Sung Hoon, but I felt till the very end she liked Su Been. Too bad Su Been did not like the way she treated him, and once she fell out of favour, there was no redemption for her.
This entire love triangle (or rectangle… or hexagon!) was easily the most interesting part of the show for me. There were other couples, too, but anything connected to Mina Sue was far more engaging.
I’m not saying Mina Sue’s behaviour was ideal. It definitely was not. She would show interest in someone and then suddenly switch her focus elsewhere once that interest was reciprocated. If I were in Su Been or Sung Hoon’s place, I would feel hurt too. In real life, I might find such behaviour frustrating. But within the context of the show, I understood why she behaved that way. With limited time to interact and form connections, she probably wanted to ensure she chose the best partner. Perhaps she also feared being left alone in the end and wanted multiple options. Or maybe she wanted to be the one whom most guys select at the end of the show, her way of doing it only backfired. She could have been more subtle like Go Eun but then the show would not have been as fun, would it?
Her indecisiveness frustrated me, but also kept me hooked. I neither love nor hate Mina Sue, but I will definitely remember her for a long time. In fact, I will always remember Season 5 as Mina Sue’s season because, for as long as she was on screen, things were interesting, but in the last couple of episodes, when she decided to tone down, things got a bit boring.
Coming to the so-called alpha woman of the season, Kim Min Gee, I have mixed feelings about her. Initially, I liked her a lot. She came across as strong and confident, yet refreshingly honest about her insecurities around other pretty girls. She often gushed about how beautiful the other contestants were and seemed underconfident at times. But when she was with the boy she liked, she became lively, confident and engaging.
After a disappointing first Paradise date, she chose Song Seung Il for her next trip. When she learned he was much younger than her (which seemed to surprise many girls!), she did not let the age difference affect their connection. She decided to commit to him fully and openly claimed him as hers. And this is where I started feeling conflicted about Min Gee.
It is admirable to be honest about your feelings and want exclusivity. But constantly claiming someone as exclusively yours on a dating show can come across as insecure and even a little desperate. Whenever Mina Sue showed interest in Seung Il, Min Gee’s irritation was obvious. Mina Sue even mentioned being afraid to approach Seung Il because of Min Gee. That made me wonder, why should anyone feel afraid?
If Min Gee truly embodied the “alpha” persona that panellists and viewers attributed to her, she would have been secure enough to let her partner explore and still trust that he would choose her. Take Jae Jin, for example. He never stopped Lee Joo Young from interacting with other men because he was confident in their connection. That’s what true confidence looks like.
The most uncomfortable moment for me was when Mina Sue returned from Paradise with Seung Il, and Min Gee openly questioned her intentions and behaviour. Mina Sue did need a reality check, but the way Min Gee confronted her felt humiliating. I admired Mina Sue for holding her ground and not breaking down. It is always disheartening to see a woman bring down another woman like that. Wish she were a bit milder in her approach.
I also didn’t understand why panellists consistently supported Min Gee despite her intimidating presence. Yes, Mina Sue was chaotic, but Min Gee’s possessiveness made other contestants hesitant to approach Seung Il. On a dating show where exploration is encouraged, this felt unfair. It seemed as if she had “claimed” him and expected everyone else to back off.
And then there was the infamous “hoodie-pull” moment.
One of the best moments in SINGLE’S INFERNO history pic.twitter.com/rOtkmGhXf3
— Netflix (@netflix) January 25, 2026
Honestly, I cringe every time I watch it. I fail to understand why it is considered powerful when it actually feels quite rude. If I were in Seung Il’s place, I would have felt uncomfortable.
Amid all this drama, I felt Kim Go Eun stood out in a quieter, more graceful way. She was visibly disappointed when not chosen for the first Paradise trip, but she quickly composed herself and began making subtle efforts to get noticed.
Her concern for Hyun Woo’s injury, for instance, was clearly a gentle way of expressing interest. And it worked as Hyun Woo gradually shifted his attention toward her and stayed loyal to her till the very end. She handled everything smoothly and elegantly. In my opinion, she was the most stunning contestant this year, but the dominant personalities of Min Gee and Mina Sue overshadowed her.
Many viewers have said this season felt scripted, and I can’t entirely disagree. For instance, Min Gee and Hee Sun suddenly choosing different partners for their final Paradise trips felt surprising, especially since those interactions were not shown earlier. But honestly, I do not mind a little creative interference. If everyone had finalised their partners in the first episode itself, what would we watch for the rest of the season? The constant intermingling and shifting dynamics are what make the show entertaining.
My only real complaint with the makers is the repetition of competitions. They often reuse the same games from previous seasons. Introducing fresh challenges each season would make the show even more engaging.
Lastly, one thing I failed to understand is why no one seems interested in Youn Hyun Jae? I liked him the moment he entered the show. Yes, his pick-up lines were undeniably cringe, but still! How did no one give him a proper chance? That remains one of the season’s biggest mysteries for me.
Final Pairs Of Single’s Inferno 5
Kim Min Gee and Song Seung Il
Finally! After all the stress, tension, and emotional ups and downs, Min Gee got what she wanted. From the beginning, Seung Il was interested in both Min Gee and Mina Sue. However, he chose to pursue Min Gee first because she was clear about her interest in him, while Mina Sue was still exploring her options. The best decision he made on the show was going on a date with Mina Sue, as it helped him realise that Min Gee was ultimately the right partner for him. I’m not sure if they will continue dating after the show, but if they do, that would be wonderful to see.
Update: I watched the reunion episode of Singles’ Inferno on Netflix, and I cannot believe how Min Gee and Seung Il have drifted apart. I always knew they wouldn’t date in real life, but the way they behaved with each other after the show was unimaginable. Throughout the reunion, Min Gee did not look at Seung Il even once. She reacted to his videos but did not speak to him at all. There was an invisible, icy wall between them that made it uncomfortable to watch.
All the couples had one-on-one interactions, but Min Gee chose to have a one-on-one with Mina Sue instead of Seung Il. In his interview, Seung Il confessed that he did not keep in touch with Min Gee, but that things were cordial between them and that they are now “close friends.” However, Min Gee had something completely different to say. With pain evident in her eyes, she shared that, after the show, their interaction was one-sided, and that Seung Il ghosted her after the show. Nobody expected him to date her for real, but at least he could be nice to her.
I know similar things have happened with other couples from previous seasons as well, but this was the first time the show’s makers showed us what happened to the couples after the show ended. While other couples maintained a very cordial front, Min Gee did not even bother to fake a friendship with Seung Il for the sake of the show, and I love her for that. I get it now; she is truly an alpha.
Park Hee Sun and Lim Su Been
I felt this pairing came together largely because Su Been wanted to get back at Mina Sue. However, after going on a date with Hee Sun and getting to know her better, he likely realised that she could be a much better choice for him. She consistently hoped to win his heart, even when he showed little interest in her. They are both good-looking individuals, but even until the very end, I did not sense much chemistry between them. In fact, Su Been seemed to have stronger chemistry with Mina Sue. But since they chose each other, I hope they at least remain friends after the show.
Update: I had read online that Hee Sun and Su Been are dating in real life even after the show, but I didn’t believe the rumours. I assumed Su Been was with Hee Sun only to spite Mina Sue. However, when I watched the reunion episode of Singles’ Inferno, I wanted to cry!
Seeing them together in real life made me so happy, it felt like I was watching a romantic movie in which Hee Sun’s sincerity finally melts Su Been’s cold heart, and he falls for her. I have to admit that the love seems stronger from Hee Sun’s side, but that’s okay. She looks happy with him, and that is what matters.
At one point, she tells him how his lack of communication gives her sleepless nights, which made me want to reach out and hug her. Even when she was asked by a fellow contestant whether, given a choice, she would pick a billion dollars or marry the one she loves, she chose marriage. Awww… my girl is seriously in love with Su Been.
Hee Sun is so adorable, and I truly hope she finds the love she deserves.
Choi Mina Sue and Lee Sung Hoon
I loved them together in the first episode, but as the show progressed and Mina Sue continued exploring her options for longer than expected, Sung Hoon seemed to become more of a friend to her. Even in the end, when Mina Sue finally decided to pursue him, it felt like a last resort after both Su Been and Seung Il had lost interest in her. It almost appeared as though she had no option but to leave Inferno with the only guy left for her. Lucky Sung Hoon, though he ultimately got what he wanted.
Update: I don’t think anyone expected them to end up together even after the show, especially considering their journey. Mina Sue turned to Sung Hoon only after she had exhausted all her other options. I’m sure Sung Hoon is aware of that, too, but he seemed too relieved to leave Inferno with someone rather than be stranded without a partner.
In the reunion episode of Singles’ Inferno, Sung Hoon shared that they have been unable to meet often because Mina Sue lives in a different city, making it difficult for them to see each other regularly.
Lee Joo Young and Kim Jae Jin
My first impression of Jae Jin was that no one on the show would be interested in him and that he would likely leave Inferno alone. I felt this mainly because of his laid-back attitude, especially his walk. But much to my surprise, the girls found that cute and intriguing. I loved Joo Young as she was adorable and genuinely sweet. Once she made her choice and chose Jae Jin, nothing could change her mind. There were moments when I thought (and hoped) she might be swayed by Youn Hyun Jae, but she clearly liked Jae Jin a lot. And honestly, he was worth liking. He didn’t seem insecure and always gave Joo Young space. That space helped her realise he was a much better partner for her.
Update: In the reunion of Single’s Inferno, Jae Jin mentioned that Joo Young comes to watch his shows, and Joo Young shared that they went on an ice cream date after the show. However, nothing more was mentioned beyond that. So, I guess this couple also fizzled out after the show.
Kim Go Eun and Woo Sung Min
This final pair came as a shock to the panellists, but not to me. They believed Go Eun would probably choose I Geon because of their intense chemistry, but I always felt it would be Sung Min. While I Geon showed interest in her, he also did several things that irritated her, like talking about Lee Ha Eun during their date. What girl would enjoy hearing her date talk about another woman? Sung Min, on the other hand, never tried to make her jealous. He consistently showed interest only in her and even competed with other guys to get her attention. He seemed a bit demanding at times, but he eventually redeemed himself.
Update: Another couple that did not survive after the show. Now that I’ve rewatched some of this couple’s old moments in the reunion of Singles’ Inferno, I realised why the panellists thought Go Eun would pick I Geon over Sung Min, because they clearly had so much more chemistry. Even Sung Min confessed that he was surprised she chose him over I Geon. Hmm… what’s done is done.
Single’s Inferno 5 felt different from the other seasons, and I would credit Choi Mina Sue for that. While most contestants followed the traditional path, Mina Sue’s unconventional approach added a new layer of excitement to the show. I’m not saying everything she did was right, but her actions definitely made the season far more interesting.
I give Single’s Inferno 5 a 4 out of 5. I loved the contestants this season. Scripted or not, the show was highly entertaining and totally worth watching.
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