The reality dating show Single’s Inferno keeps its strong appeal thanks to a lineup of guests who look just as stunning as idols. But after season 5 aired, a wave of controversy exploded. Viewers started questioning whether there really are any “ordinary people” on the show or if it’s just a disguised stage for elite beauty standards.
Right from the first episodes of season 5, netizens quickly uncovered the impressive backgrounds of the female leads. It turns out the women on the island aren’t as unknown as the show claims.
The spotlight falls on Park Hee-seon, none other than Miss Korea 2022. What’s more, the producers’ setup seems obvious when they put Choi Me-na-soo in the same frame. In fact, Choi Me-na-soo was the MC at Park Hee-seon’s coronation ceremony.
It doesn’t stop there. Viewers also found out that Park Hee-seon and runner-up Kim Go-eun are close friends in real life. Yet on the show, they act surprised as if meeting for the first time. One netizen sharply commented, “This script feels faker than a drama series.”
Doubts about the show’s authenticity aren’t new. Looking back at season 3, there’s a long list of familiar faces from top beauty pageants:
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.
Gathering so many top-tier beauty queens makes the idea of “ordinary people” feel like a luxury. In other words, the show barely features any “gorgeous everyday people”, regular folks whose looks captivate the audience. It’s almost become an expanded Miss Korea pageant, where beauties seek entertainment careers rather than genuine love.
Many wonder why Netflix and the producers insist on labeling these contestants as “ordinary.”
The truth is, casting individuals with established backgrounds guarantees two things: flawless looks and camera confidence. But having contestants who already know each other pretend to be strangers breaks viewers’ trust in the show’s reality. Fans feel like they’re watching a carefully staged play where genuine emotions are overshadowed by fame-driven strategies.
Despite receiving plenty of criticism for over-the-top scripting and a lack of diversity, Single’s Inferno remains one of the most visually stunning entertainment shows today. However, if it keeps relying on beauty queens and professional models, maybe it should be renamed “The Beauty Queen Playground” instead.
