The highly anticipated reunion of Single’s Inferno Season 5 finally dropped on Netflix on February 14, 2026, but instead of the warm and fuzzy closure fans expected, the six-episode special sparked fresh controversy. Viewers took to social media to express their discomfort, with many calling the atmosphere “awkward” and “uncomfortable” as cast members navigated tense conversations, unresolved feelings, and forced interactions.
For the first time in the franchise’s history, the reunion aired as a full-scale Netflix production rather than a low-budget YouTube video . The special featured solo interviews, group games in Paradise, and emotional one-on-one conversations. But what should have been a celebration of the most-watched season of the year turned into a breeding ground for viral awkward moments that left fans questioning the editing choices and the genuine dynamics between cast members.
The Reunion That Divided Viewers
The Single’s Inferno 5 reunion consisted of six episodes released simultaneously on Valentine’s Day. The format included individual interviews where cast members reflected on their time in the inferno, followed by a group retreat where they played games and shared meals together . Production quality was significantly higher than previous reunions, with the cast returning to Paradise for the first time since filming wrapped.
But almost immediately after release, social media platforms flooded with reactions calling the special “underwhelming” and “chaotic.” One viewer on MyDramaList wrote, “MAN how UNDERWHELMING was THAT?! I was having fun in bed, eating some fruit, only to go like ‘where’s the next episode?’ because they really had to end it LIKE THAT?” .
The same fan pointed out that Park Hee-sun and Lim Su-been, the only couple who confirmed they are still together, received most of the screen time. “Not complaining, but the way they edited it was quite off and ended abruptly,” they wrote. “The MT part was just so chaotic I got a migraine. SO much potential!” .
Choi Mina-sue and Song Seung-il’s Painful Exchange
The most talked-about moments revolved around Choi Mina-sue and Song Seung-il, whose on-screen tension dominated the season. During the reunion, both were brutally honest about where they stand now, and their confessions left viewers feeling sympathetic toward Mina-sue.
In her solo interview, Kim Min-gee, who chose Seung-il in the finale, admitted their relationship never materialized. “I have no regrets about my final choice. Even if I did it again, I would still choose Seung-il,” she said, before adding, “I just feel a bit sorry. Seeing myself back then makes me feel pitiful” .
Min-gee revealed they never went on any dates after filming. “It wasn’t really contact. It was more like me knocking on the door alone,” she shared . Seung-il described their current relationship as “a slightly closer older sister and younger brother relationship,” while Min-gee called it “a bit ambiguous” and added, “The person I liked doesn’t seem to have come out of Inferno yet” .
Choi Mina-sue and Lee Sung-hun, who left the show as a couple, also admitted they never dated. Instead, they remained good friends. During the reunion, Mina-sue threw a pillow on the ground and asked if they could take a break from filming, a moment that some viewers found relatable while others labeled it awkward .
Hong Jin Kyung’s Apology to Choi Mina-sue Goes Viral
While the reunion itself sparked debate, an off-camera moment stole the spotlight. On February 11, panelist Hong Jin Kyung posted photos on her Instagram from a wrap party dinner with the cast and crew. The images showed her bowing deeply to Choi Mina-sue with her hands clasped together in a formal Korean gesture of apology .
The photos immediately went viral, reigniting discussions about Hong’s harsh comments toward Mina-sue during the season. In episode 8, Hong had looked directly at the camera and delivered a stern message: “Please stop.” She also stated, “I can’t defend you,” and described watching Mina-sue’s behavior as “painful” .
Hong later revealed that production staff actually pulled her aside during filming and asked her to tone down her criticism, confirming that even the show runners thought she was being excessive . Yet at the wrap party, it was Hong who bowed first.
The phrase “Saying sorry for being honest” began trending across X and Korean forums like TheQoo and Nate Pann immediately after the photos surfaced . Supporters of Hong argue she was simply doing her job as a panelist. Others believe the apology was necessary because Hong’s comments fueled malicious online attacks against Mina-sue, who was a private citizen before appearing on the show, not a seasoned celebrity.
Mina-sue’s friends had previously posted photos of her curled up alone watching her own episodes with the caption, “She’s currently reflecting on herselfㅠㅠ,” revealing a young woman deeply affected by the backlash .
Kim Min-gee and Choi Mina-sue Finally Reconcile
One positive takeaway from the reunion was the reconciliation between Kim Min-gee and Choi Mina-sue. The two women had shown conflict during the season when both expressed interest in Song Seung-il. In a private conversation on the show, Min-gee told Mina-sue, “I think you don’t know yourself well,” which caused Mina-sue to break down in tears .
At the reunion, Min-gee approached Mina-sue and said, “Thank you for reaching out.” Mina-sue greeted her with a smile, and Min-gee added, “I was really sincere back then,” clearing up misunderstandings between them . The moment offered a rare glimpse of genuine resolution amid the season’s tension.
YouTuber Charles Enter Apologizes for Criticizing the Reunion
The reunion controversy expanded beyond the cast when popular YouTuber Charles Enter, who has 1.03 million subscribers, posted criticism that sparked its own backlash. On February 14, after watching the first episode, he posted stories stating, “I turned it off because I was too uncomfortable watching the first episode,” and “It’s been over half a year since filming, and even though everyone came out to have a good time together, they kept showing they were in a bad mood” .
The post sparked interpretations that it was a targeted attack on specific cast members. As controversy spread, Charles Enter deleted the posts and issued an apology on February 15. “I posted the story after watching halfway through the first episode. After seeing comments suggesting I watch until the end, I did so. The awkward atmosphere eased, and it ended on a cheerful note, so I realized I had acted too hastily and deleted the post immediately,” he explained .
He added, “There was no intention to target anyone specifically. I posted it because the overall atmosphere of the program felt awkward and uncomfortable. However, if it felt like I was targeting someone, that was clearly my mistake” .
Which Couples Survived the Show?
The reunion confirmed the real-life status of all five final couples from Season 5:
Park Hee-sun and Lim Su-been are the only couple who confirmed they are still together. They went on five more dates after filming wrapped, and Su-been shared that she tried to match Hee-sun’s vibe by respecting her parents’ curfew rules . The two made their relationship Instagram-official by sharing photos of Su-been giving Hee-sun a piggyback ride and posing together .
Kim Min-gee and Song Seung-il are not dating. Min-gee accepted that their relationship seemed one-sided once they left the show, and Seung-il admitted they only contacted each other a little bit .
Choi Mina-sue and Lee Sung-hun did not date and remained good friends. They stayed in touch but couldn’t meet due to busy schedules .
Lee Joo-young and Kim Jae-jin kept in touch but chose to keep their relationship status private. During the reunion, they made it clear they want to keep details of their current relationship to themselves .
Kim Go-eun and Woo Sung-min did not date and remained friends. Go-eun was honest during her solo interview, saying she does not see herself with Sung-min in real life . Rumors suggest Go-eun might be dating Jo I-geon, though neither has confirmed .
Fan Reactions to the Awkward Moments
Social media exploded with mixed reactions to the reunion. Some fans appreciated the honesty, while others found the tension too uncomfortable to watch.
One viewer commented on the Kim Min-gee and Song Seung-il situation, saying, “Min-gee was so sincere, it hurts to watch” . Another wrote, “Some kept being cautious and apologizing… I don’t know what they’re doing,” reflecting the confusion many felt watching cast members navigate unresolved feelings on camera .
The bowling alley and dinner scenes from the original season also resurfaced in discussions. In episode 8, when Choi Mina-sue repeatedly rushed to check the pool at their Paradise hotel, Hong Jin Kyung burst out laughing and said, “Tone it down” . During dinner, Mina-sue mentioned wanting to go to Paradise with another contestant named Samuel while sitting with Seung-il, leading Seung-il to confess, “I enjoyed spending time with you, but I want to go back to Inferno as soon as possible. This place is too stressful” .
Viewers called Seung-il’s response “refreshing” and “satisfying,” with one fan writing, “hat guy is so satisfying” .
The Bigger Picture: Why This Season’s Reunion Mattered
Single’s Inferno Season 5 ranked number 2 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows for three consecutive weeks, making it one of the most-watched seasons in the franchise’s history . The decision to produce a full-scale reunion special reflected the season’s massive popularity.
But the reunion also highlighted the challenges of bringing reality TV contestants back together months after filming. Unlike celebrities who are accustomed to cameras, many Single’s Inferno contestants are private citizens who must navigate the aftermath of public scrutiny while processing their own feelings about what transpired on the island.
The awkward moments that went viral—from Mina-sue throwing a pillow and asking for a break to Min-gee’s heartbreaking confession about knocking on Seung-il’s door alone—resonated with viewers because they felt genuine. They weren’t scripted reality TV moments. They were real people dealing with real emotions in front of millions of strangers.
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Where to Watch Single’s Inferno Season 5 Reunion
All six episodes of the Single’s Inferno Season 5 reunion are now streaming exclusively on Netflix. Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India can watch the special with a Netflix subscription .
For those who haven’t seen the original season, all episodes of Single’s Inferno Season 5 are also available on Netflix. The season introduced the largest cast in franchise history and delivered record-breaking viewership numbers .
Whether you found the reunion heartwarming, awkward, or somewhere in between, one thing is certain: the conversations it sparked will continue dominating K-dating show discourse for weeks to come.
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