The reality dating show Single’s Inferno has consistently captivated audiences with its cast of stunning guests. However, after the debut of season 5, a fierce wave of controversy erupted. Viewers began to question: Is there genuinely such a thing as an ‘ordinary person’ in this show, or is it merely a facade for a ‘beauty elite’ showcase?
As soon as the first episodes of season 5 aired, the online community quickly uncovered the impressive profiles of the female leads. It turns out that the girls appearing on the island are not as unknown as the show claims.
The spotlight is on Park Hee-seon, who is none other than Miss Korea 2022. What’s more, the production team’s arrangement has been criticized as being too blatant by placing Choi Me-na-soo in the same frame. In reality, Choi Me-na-soo was the host at Park Hee-seon’s crowning ceremony that year.
To add fuel to the fire, viewers further discovered that Park Hee-seon and runner-up Kim Go-eun are actually close friends in real life. Yet when facing each other on the show, both acted surprised as if meeting for the first time. “This script reeks of more fiction than a TV drama,” commented one internet user harshly.
Doubts about the show’s ‘reality’ have been present for some time. If we look back at season 3, we see a long list of familiar faces from top beauty competitions:
Yu Si-eun: 1st Runner-up Miss Korea 2022.
Cho Min-ji: 2nd Runner-up Miss Korea 2021.
An Min-young: Miss Busan 2023.
Kim Gyu-ri: Top 30 Miss Korea 2022.
The gathering of numerous ‘powerhouses’ handpicked from national beauty contests makes the concept of ‘ordinary people’ feel extravagant. In other words, the show has almost no ‘ordinary gems’—those everyday individuals with captivating beauty. The program seems to have turned into an ‘expanded Miss Korea,’ where beauties seek opportunities for advancement in the entertainment industry rather than genuinely looking for love.
Many are questioning: Why do Netflix and the production team insist on labeling them as ‘ordinary’?
In reality, utilizing individuals with prior backgrounds ensures the show maintains two factors: a perfect appearance and camera presence. However, the fact that contestants already know each other but pretend to be strangers breaks the viewers’ trust in the authenticity of reality television. Audiences feel as if they are watching a meticulously staged play, where genuine emotions are overshadowed by the calculation of fame.
Despite receiving significant backlash for its overly dramatic script and the cast’s lack of diversity reflecting everyday life, it cannot be denied that Single’s Inferno remains one of the most visually stunning entertainment shows today. However, if the program continues to exploit ‘queen’ candidates and professional models, the name ‘Single’s Inferno’ might as well be changed to ‘the playground for beauty queens.’