The search for love is rarely straightforward, but on Netflix’s hit Korean dating show Single’s Inferno, contestants are put to the ultimate test. The show strands a group of attractive singles on a remote island, where they must form connections without revealing their ages or professions. The ultimate prize is a trip to “Paradise,” a luxury hotel where chosen couples can finally talk openly. In the show’s intense and accelerated environment, the concept of “love at first sight” is put under the microscope. Lim Su-been, a standout contestant in the current fifth season, has become a central figure in this discussion as his own island romance unfolds.
Who Is Lim Su-been of Single’s Inferno Season 5?
Lim Su-been joined the cast of Single’s Inferno Season 5 as one of several contestants who arrived in the second episode, immediately making an impression. Described as mature and full of positive “golden retriever energy,” Su-been is a 24-year-old former professional baseball player. He played as a pitcher for ten years before a shoulder injury led him to retire from the sport[ccitation:5]. He now works as a model, often noted for his athletic build and a demeanor that some say resembles actor Song Joong-ki. On the island, he presents himself as quietly confident, a natural athlete who enjoys swimming and baseball.
During his introduction, Su-been shared that he’s “been told” he looks sexy when he works outโa comment the show’s panelists and viewers readily agreed with.
His arrival shook up the existing dynamics among the contestants, offering new possibilities for connections.
A Growing Connection with Choi Mina Sue
Upon his entrance, Lim Su-been quickly found himself at the center of a potential romance with fellow contestant Choi Mina Sue. Mina Sue, a 26-year-old former Miss Earth winner from South Korea who studies in the United States, is known for her refreshing and down-to-earth personality. The two were paired together during a couples dodgeball game, where Mina Sue couldn’t stop talking about how fit Su-been was, specifically admiring his broad shoulders.
Their connection deepened during the second round of Paradise selections. In this round, the men voted for their preferred dates in advance. The chosen women then announced who they wanted to go with, and if it was mutual, they would spend the night in Paradise. Su-been was upfront about his feelings, confirming to Mina Sue that he had voted for her.
“Su-been is upfront about liking Mina Sue the most, confirming he voted for her, which makes her smile,” one recap noted about their Paradise date.
Despite a three-year age gap, with Mina Sue being older, their chemistry was described as natural and easy. Their date involved swimming and late-night conversations, hinting at a connection that viewers and other cast members watched with great interest.
The Mechanics of Finding Love on Inferno
The structure of Single’s Inferno is designed to accelerate relationships and test the viability of instant attraction. Contestants are stripped of typical social markers like jobs and ages, forcing them to rely on first impressions, physical chemistry, and personality. They compete in challengesโlike the couples dodgeball game or a “hottest couple” photoshootโthat are engineered to create physical closeness and tension.
Winning these games can lead to advantages, such as one-on-one lunch dates or, most crucially, the power to choose someone for a trip to Paradise. The show introduces twists each season to keep the contestants on their toes; in Season 5, a new “truth game” rule forbade players from taking a drink to avoid answering a question, demanding complete honesty. This high-pressure environment serves as a live experiment on whether deep connections can form from initial sparks, a question Su-been and his fellow participants are actively navigating.
Love at First Sight in the Spotlight
The idea of “love at first sight” is a recurring theme in dating shows, but Single’s Inferno provides a unique cultural lens. The show offers a glimpse into contemporary Korean dating attitudes, where traditional values sometimes intersect with more modern, direct approaches to romance. Contestants like Su-been operate within this space, gauging their own feelings while navigating the game’s rules.
Fan reactions to relationships on the show are always intense, with viewers quickly choosing favorite “ships” or couples. Su-been and Mina Sue’s budding romance has garnered significant attention, as their calm and seemingly genuine dynamic stands out amid other more dramatic pairings. Their story taps into a relatable fantasy: the possibility of meeting someone and feeling an immediate, unexplainable pull that has the potential to develop into something real, even under the most unusual circumstances.
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Where to Watch and Follow the Cast
The first part of Single’s Inferno Season 5, featuring the early development of Lim Su-been and Choi Mina Sue‘s relationship, is available to stream globally on Netflix. The second part of the season is scheduled for release on January 27, 2026.
For fans who want to keep up with the contestants outside the show, many are active on social media. You can follow Lim Su-been and the rest of the Season 5 cast on Instagram to see more of their lives beyond the island.
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