The producers of Netflix‘s hit dating reality show Single’s Inferno 5 are speaking out to defend cast member Choi Mina Sue, who became the center of heated online criticism during the season’s run. In a recent interview, the directing team not only praised her contribution to the show’s success but also shared personal stories about her真实性格, revealing a side of Mina Sue that viewers did not get to see on screen.
The fifth season of the popular Korean series, which concluded its 10-episode run earlier this month, recorded massive global viewership. According to data released on February 11, the show ranked second in Netflix’s Global TOP 10 for Non-English TV Shows for three consecutive weeks, amassing 45.1 million viewing hours . While the season was a hit, it was not without its share of drama, much of which centered on Mina Sue.
The Backlash Mina Sue Faced During the Season
Throughout Single’s Inferno 5, Choi Mina Sue found herself at the center of controversy. Viewers criticized her for being indecisive as she navigated feelings for multiple male contestants, including Lim Soo-bin, Song Seung-il, and Lee Sung-hoon. Her actions during the “truth game,” where she openly admitted to liking three people, sparked heated debates online and led to her being labeled by some as the season’s “villain” .
The criticism was not limited to online viewers. Studio panelist Hong Jin Kyung also appeared to throw shade at Mina Sue during the broadcast, with fans noticing her blunt reactions whenever Mina Sue appeared on screen . Additionally, a tense moment between Mina Sue and fellow cast member Kim Min-gee added fuel to the fire. During a private conversation, Kim Min-gee told Mina Sue, “I think you don’t know yourself well,” a remark that left Mina Sue in tears and further divided audience opinions .
PDs Reveal Mina Sue’s True Personality
In a recent interview held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, the production team behind Single’s Inferno 5—PD Kim Jae-won, PD Kim Jung-hyun, and PD Park Su-ji—addressed the controversy surrounding Choi Mina Sue. Rather than echoing the criticism, they offered a completely different perspective on the contestant.
PD Kim Jae-won did not hold back his appreciation for Mina Sue, crediting her for the show’s positive reception. “The response feels extremely positive. It is all thanks to Choi Mina Sue,” he stated. He even shared a humorous anecdote about his gratitude. “At a team dinner, I even offered a deep traditional bow as a gesture of thanks. I decided to treat everyone to a really expensive meal,” he revealed, expressing his exceptional gratitude towards her .
When describing her off-screen personality, the PD painted a picture that contrasts sharply with the “villain” edit some viewers perceived. “Contrary to the image seen on the surface, she also has a shy side, and perhaps because she was born abroad, she is bright and cheerful,” PD Kim Jae-won explained. “When I performed a deep bow, she shyly returned the bow. Every time we meet, I get the feeling that she is charming and fun” .
PD Park Su-ji also shared insights from the filming set, noting that the production team was often unaware of how much Mina Sue would stand out until the editing process. “On set, we didn’t know Mina Sue to this extent. We knew she talked with various people, but we didn’t know what conversations she had. She used English at times. From our standpoint, following her conversations felt intriguing and entertaining,” she said .
How Mina Sue Handled the Hate
Perhaps the most revealing part of the interview was how Choi Mina Sue dealt with the wave of online hate during the broadcast. According to the producers, she never blamed the production team for the situation.
PD Kim Jae-won shared details of their private conversations during that difficult period. “She didn’t blame the production at all. We called occasionally, but we consulted a lot. We asked, ‘When will it be okay?’ It seemed it would be fine around the third week, but there was a miscalculation. From then we told her to check the internet. It was fine from the fourth week,” he said .
He added that as positive reactions like “It was fun thanks to Mina Sue” started to emerge, her mental state seemed to recover. The PD also acknowledged her crucial role in the show’s dynamics, admitting that the season’s most carefully edited point was “who Mina Sue would go to heaven with—that was the season’s turning point” .
Mina Sue herself addressed the criticism during the show, showing a level of self-awareness that many viewers may have missed. She candidly shared her thoughts, saying, “I know I may look like a reed. However, different people draw out different sides of me, and among them I wanted to choose for myself which version of me I prefer” .
In her final closing remarks for the show, Mina Sue kept her message positive and grateful. “I will cherish every moment with Single’s Inferno 5. Thank you to the cast, MCs, production team, and viewers,” she said .
On-Screen Tensions and Off-Screen Resolutions
While the show depicted intense romantic rivalries and emotional confrontations, it appears that many of the cast members have since patched things up. A reunion special, which aired on February 14, showed Kim Min-gee and Choi Mina Sue reconciling after their on-screen conflict .
In the reunion trailer, Kim Min-gee was seen telling Mina Sue, “Thank you for reaching out,” to which Mina Sue responded with a smile. Kim Min-gee added, “I was really sincere back then,” suggesting that the two women had a private conversation to clear the air .
Furthermore, panelist Hong Jin Kyung, who had been critical of Mina Sue during the show, appeared to have turned the page as well. She posted photos on social media from a company dinner with the cast, including a friendly selfie with Mina Sue, indicating that the off-screen relationships are much warmer than what was portrayed on television .
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Mina Sue Opens Up About Having “Multiple Rooms in Her Heart”
In a separate interview with Elle Korea, Choi Mina Sue directly addressed one of the main criticisms against her—her indecisiveness. When asked about a question card reading, “Is it strange to have multiple rooms in your heart?” she gave an honest and mature response.
Initially flustered, Mina Sue later shared her perspective. “I think you can’t help but have multiple rooms in your heart at first. After getting to know them, you start realizing, ‘This person suits me,’ or ‘I have common ground with this person,’ and then only one room opens. I think that’s how it naturally goes in the beginning,” she explained .
In the end, Mina Sue made her choice during the finale, selecting Lee Sung-hoon, who had consistently approached her until the very end. She confessed her true feelings to him, saying, “When I am with you, the version of myself that I like comes out,” and “I cannot imagine leaving this place with anyone other than you” .
Single’s Inferno 5 is currently streaming on Netflix.
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