Why ‘Single’s Inferno’ is Redefining Reality Dating on Netflix

by

The creator of Single’s Inferno, Kim Jae-won, is elated by the recent extension of his popular Netflix dating series. However, he’s currently grappling with an issue.

Kim tells The Hollywood Reporter that the show has been gaining increasing popularity, with contestants amassing a significant number of followers on their social media accounts. This, she notes, has ignited some speculation.”

This version maintains the original’s meaning and tone while using more common and less technical language.

As a dedicated gamer and avid viewer of reality shows, I can’t help but be captivated by the global phenomenon that is “Single’s Inferno.” This Korean series, fresh off its fourth season on the streaming platform, has struck a chord not just with viewers in its home country, but also with me and countless others worldwide. The first season made history as the inaugural unscripted Korean show to crack the global top 10 on Netflix, while the second season garnered an impressive 65 million viewing hours.

The scenario is unusual: a band of young adults find themselves marooned on an “inferno” (a picturesque but desolate island located off the Korean mainland). They make do with improvised shelters, and are compelled to bond swiftly through communal activities such as meal preparation, social interaction, and mini-games. The twist? Romantically inclined individuals are prohibited from revealing their ages or professions to the group – factors that play a significant role in determining compatibility in Korean dating culture.

Every day on the show, participants get the chance to select someone special to join them for an overnight stay at a luxurious hotel located just a helicopter ride from the island, which we call “paradise.” If two individuals choose each other, they spend one romantic night together in the same hotel room. During these exchanges, contestants may disclose their ages and professions. The next morning, they return to the main competition with this new information about each other. The grand finale of the show presents a genuine test of the bonds formed as men express which women they’d like to accompany to safety, leaving the “inferno” behind.

The show is strengthened by a group of five hosts who provide humorous commentary and analysis. Among them is a previous contestant, who took on the role of host in season three. This individual is already recognized figures within the Korean entertainment industry. The panel consists of rapper-singer Hanhae, YouTuber Dex, comedian Hong Jin-kyung, model and actress Lee Da-hee, and singer Kyuhyun.

The format of “Single’s Inferno” is remarkably engaging, yet straightforward. Unlike shows like “Love Island” or “Too Hot to Handle”, this series relies on smiles, eye contact, and occasional hand-holding for communication. Actions like sharing a bed generate quite the conversation, and openly discussing attraction is shockingly candid. It reduces chemistry to its basic form, going against the scandalous and explicit content often seen in western reality TV.

Kim, the primary producer, expresses concern that people might be joining the show, similar to what happens with producers on shows like ‘Love Island’ and ‘Too Hot to Handle’, for the sole purpose of gaining fame. He explains to THR that determining whether a contestant is truly sincere or just seeking fame has become the main hurdle they face in their selection process. In other words, the show’s ability to make stars has complicated their process of finding genuine participants.

Kim Jae-won, aided by a translator, talks about the inspiration behind his hit series, the qualities producers seek in contestants, and why it has become one of Netflix’s most globally acclaimed reality shows: “Single’s Inferno presents something fresh. It’s truly unique in its essence.

I’m really curious to know what some of the inspirations were for the premise of Single’s Inferno.

The initial idea for this reality show likely stemmed from my previous project, which took place on a remote island. Instead of dating, we were concentrating on survival and coexisting with the wildlife. Despite the survival aspect, the island’s beauty was captivating, almost like a dream or fantasy. This sparked in me a desire to create a dating show set in that same enchanting location.

During that period, many Korean dating shows primarily focused on the subtle or pure emotional journeys of the participants, giving off a youthful and uncomplicated atmosphere. However, for this particular show, I decided to place it on an island, which naturally meant it had to be during summertime. In addition, I chose to make the show more about passionate, tangible chemistry rather than just emotional connections. To some extent, I was inspired by other popular Netflix shows like “Too Hot to Handle” or “Love Island”, although the Korean adaptation, “Single’s Inferno”, maintains a much more innocent tone compared to its counterparts.

However, it’s these little moments that make “Single’s Inferno” exceptional – they amplify the intensity of the larger scenes. Is this provocative program widely perceived as scandalous within South Korea where it originates?

Initially, many Korean viewers perceived the show as a Korean adaptation of “Too Hot to Handle“. However, it failed to live up to that level of boldness. In the latest season, characters Yuk Jun-seo and Lee Si-an shared a bed overnight, causing quite a stir. Yet, I suspect the controversy stemmed from the suddenness rather than the act itself. Instead, Korean viewers seem to appreciate and delve deeper into the storyline, focusing on events leading up to significant incidents. If there had been sufficient emotional exchanges and heartfelt conversations that justified such an action, I believe the audience would have accepted it more gracefully.

As a gamer, let me emphasize that this isn’t some intense drama unfolding. It’s a realistic show, you know? In the game of life, feelings don’t always progress neatly like they do in a script. Life’s emotional journey is often complex and unpredictable. So, when [incident] happened, it felt entirely plausible to me.

Is it as widely beloved in South Korea as “Squid Game” seems to be globally? This might be a pleasant surprise for its creators.

To be honest, it feels a bit awkward for me to admit this myself. (Smiles.) But, you should know that “Single’s Inferno” is also quite popular in Korea. If I were to explain it differently, I would say that the typical dating shows in Korea, which often focus on complex emotional stories and pure, innocent love, are mainstream in my opinion. However, compared to those shows, “Single’s Inferno” seems to offer something fresh and unique – almost like a different breed. It’s not your everyday show. I believe there could be several reasons why it’s gaining so much attention from overseas viewers and receiving lots of love there. While I don’t want to jump to conclusions, my guess is that the growing interest in Korea and Korean culture might be a factor. People seem to be intrigued by how young Koreans navigate relationships, and “Single’s Inferno” provides a glimpse into that world.

Could you share some backstage stories or reveal any interesting facts from the making of the show that our audience might find surprising, perhaps discussing the casting process or filming techniques?

To begin with, we aim to spend around ten days for the shoot. The toughest aspect of this project is locating the ideal island, as it often turns out that the seemingly perfect one is a protected area or its natural environment remains untouched and filming isn’t allowed there. If you happened to watch Squid Game‘s second season, you might recall Jun-ho searching for the island where his brother is stranded. His persistence mirrors our own team’s experiences whenever we try to film. (Laughs.)

Regarding the traits we seek in our contestants, I’d emphasize that visual appeal and chemistry are crucial for our show, making their physical appearance a top priority. Additionally, we consider their occupation and age, as these elements significantly impact relationships. To create a diverse group, we aim to bring together various individuals. We then conduct extensive interviews with multiple contestants in the same setting to ensure they exude charm and attractiveness when interacting with potential love interests.

Is it intriguing because participating in a reality dating series, like in the U.S. or U.K., could expose you to criticism and negativity online. Have the participants of Single’s Inferno experienced such backlash on social media platforms?

It appears that in Korea too, viewers may express criticism or disdain towards contestants. Before signing on participants for our project, we collaborate with Netflix to ensure they can handle high-stress environments. We consult mental health professionals to assess their ability to cope with stress effectively. After the show’s airing, if a participant is dealing with excessive stress or negativity, we connect them with a therapist for counseling support.

It’s crucial that the panel’s functions significantly contribute to our program. Initially, during seasons one and two, the panel aimed to avoid any critical remarks. Their goal was to safeguard and support the contestants as much as feasible. However, we noticed this approach had an adverse effect, leading to strong backlash from viewers. Consequently, we adjusted things so that the panel could call out mistakes when necessary, but in a constructive manner rather than overly negative or aggressive. This change seemed beneficial and reduced the influx of excessive hateful comments online.

The hosts truly elevate the show to another level. For many viewers, they might even be the most captivating aspect of it. I suspect that the addition of Kim Jin-young, or Dex as he’s also known, who was a contestant in season two, significantly strengthened the team. Was his popularity the reason for this boost?

We didn’t ask him to be on our panel solely because he was already on the show or due to his popularity. As I mentioned earlier, there were concerns about the panels being too lenient towards contestants in the first two seasons. Therefore, we sought a change and aimed to bring some fresh energy by introducing a bit of controversy. Coincidentally, after season two, Dex started hosting another YouTube show where he excelled. This sparked my attention as I saw his potential for emceeing. Consequently, I offered him the position on our panel. It turned out that he became even more popular and achieved stardom afterwards.

Could you tell me about the major difficulties you encounter while producing? Can you explain how the show has changed over time, and what additional strategies do you use to maintain its appeal?

Over time, we’ve consistently revived this show, and it has grown increasingly popular. Following its broadcast, the participants gain a significant number of followers on their social media platforms. This success brings great joy, but it also stirs doubts among viewers about whether these contestants are joining the show primarily for attention or popularity. There is a concern that they may not be entirely sincere in their search for true love. While it’s important that they should genuinely seek love to some extent, this raises questions about their authenticity. Ultimately, our biggest hurdle lies in determining whether a contestant is truly sincere and seeking a genuine romantic interest.

It’s important to understand that people’s motivations for joining a show can be complex and multifaceted, rather than strictly seeking a partner or fame. Their emotions are likely intricate and hard to categorize. As we film, our goal is to encourage them to be authentic and truthful. We achieve this by designing various scenarios and keeping things unpredictable. When they genuinely express their deepest feelings, we strive to document those moments honestly and authentically, ensuring that the viewers can truly connect with the emotions portrayed on screen.

Read More

2025-03-01 01:55