Single’s Inferno Season 5 Sparks Debate Over Dating Flags

Netflix’s Single’s Inferno has become a mainstay in the world of reality dating television, captivating global audiences with its unique blend of romance, competition, and social experimentation. As Season 5 unfolds, viewers are not only glued to the evolving relationships and shifting alliances on the island but also reflecting on the show’s broader legacy—especially the fate of couples from past seasons. With new episodes currently streaming and more to come in February, the conversation around Single’s Inferno is more vibrant than ever.

On January 28, 2026, Her World Singapore published a deep dive into the biggest “green,” “beige,” and “red” dating flags raised by the current cast of Season 5. The analysis, which reads like a play-by-play of emotional intelligence and dating strategy, highlights the show’s appeal as more than just a reality competition—it's a mirror onto modern dating behavior, with every flirtatious glance and awkward confession scrutinized by fans and commentators alike.

Among this season’s standout contestants, Kim Min-gee emerges as a paragon of loyalty and focus. She “falls fast, sure, but when she genuinely likes someone, she puts all her attention into that one person,” wrote Shazrina Shamsudin for Her World Singapore. Min-gee’s unwavering interest in Lee Seung-il sets her apart in a cast known for its shifting allegiances. Seung-il, for his part, reciprocates this loyalty—even after briefly considering Choi Mina Sue, he “continues pursuing [Min-gee] because she has been the one showing him the most attention and interest.”

Lim Su-bin, another contestant, is praised for his emotional maturity. When his initial interest, Choi Mina Sue, appeared more interested in other guys, Su-bin “did a full 180 and started focusing on people who were clearly more serious about him, like Park Hee-sun, who has been into him since day one.” Park Hee-sun herself is described as refreshingly consistent, though she did admit that Su-bin caught her attention because he resembled her ex—a confession that, while slightly awkward, didn’t diminish her overall green flag status.

But not every contestant’s behavior is so easy to categorize. The so-called “beige flags” this season include Kim Jae-jin, whose quirky humor and calm composure make him hard to read, and Youn Hyun-jae, whose laser focus on Lee Joo-young borders on tunnel vision. Lee Sung-hun (also known as Samuel Lee) is another beige flag, showing clear interest in Choi Mina Sue but perhaps being relegated to the friend zone. His easy rapport with Mina Sue—thanks in part to their shared experience of living and studying in the U.S.—makes for some of the show’s most relatable moments, even if his overtly “Gen Z coded” mannerisms sometimes blur the line between flirting and friendship.

Of course, no season of Single’s Inferno would be complete without its share of red flags. Choi Mina Sue, whose entrance in a now-iconic yellow dress turned heads immediately, has become one of the most talked-about contestants. Over just five episodes, she’s expressed interest in no fewer than four different guys, leaving both her fellow contestants and viewers baffled. “Whenever a guy expresses interest in her, she’s quick to turn the other way,” notes Her World Singapore. While her behavior might seem fickle, the show’s compressed filming schedule could be a factor—perhaps she’s simply exploring her options in the limited time available.

But what happens to these relationships once the cameras stop rolling? On January 27, 2026, Swooon published a comprehensive update on the fate of couples from all five seasons of Single’s Inferno. The track record, it turns out, is mixed at best—echoing the experience of other reality dating franchises like Love Island and Too Hot to Handle.

Season 1 couples, including Song Ji-a and Kim Hyeon-Joong, Kang So-Yeon and Oh Jin-Taek, Moon Se-hoon and Shin Je-yoon, and Kim Jun-sik and An Yea-won, all parted ways after the show. Some, like Hyeon-Joong, emphasized that they remained on friendly terms, with Hyeon-Joong stating, “We have remained on friendly terms and even in the middle of the airing of the show, we contacted each other here and there.” Others cited busy schedules or the difficulty of transitioning from the island’s intense environment to everyday life.

Season 2 offered a glimmer of hope with Jo Yoong-jae and Choi Seo-eun, who shared photos together and even hosted a joint fan event. Yet, as of January 2023, their relationship status remained unclear. Kim Se-Jun and Lee So-e, meanwhile, didn’t stay together long, with Se-Jun later describing So-e as more of a “younger sibling.”

Season 3’s couples fared little better. Lee Gwan-hee and Choi Hye-seon ended their relationship due to the challenges of long-distance dating, with Gwan-hee explaining in a YouTube video, “First of all, I want to tell you that we are not a couple.” Other pairings, such as Choi Min-woo and Yu Si-eun, Park Min-kyu and Kim Gyu-ri, and Lee Jin-seok and An Min-young, either never clarified their status or confirmed that they had gone their separate ways.

Season 4 continued the trend of brief romances, with Kim A-rin and Kook Dong-ho, Yuk Jun-seo and Lee Si-an, Kim Tae-hwan and Bae Ji-yeon, and An Jong-hoon and Kim Hye-jin all either declining to confirm ongoing relationships or explicitly stating they had broken up. As Jun-seo put it on the variety show The Manager, he and Si-an “felt more like ‘brother and sister.’”

Now, as Season 5 streams its first six episodes—with episodes 7-8 and 9-10 scheduled for February 3 and February 10, respectively—fans are once again speculating about which couples might defy the odds. The show’s format, which places contestants in a pressure-cooker environment and encourages both vulnerability and strategic play, makes for compelling television but doesn’t always translate to lasting love in the real world.

Still, the appeal of Single’s Inferno lies as much in the journey as the destination. The series offers a fascinating lens on human connection, emotional intelligence, and the messy, unpredictable nature of attraction. Whether viewers are rooting for a particular couple or simply enjoying the spectacle of shifting alliances and dramatic reveals, there’s no denying the cultural impact of this Korean reality dating phenomenon. With Season 5 far from over, one thing’s for sure: the next twist is only an episode away.