Single’s Inferno Season Five Shakes Up The Island

Netflix’s Single’s Inferno has never been short on drama, but the fifth season has truly raised the stakes, thanks to a cast that’s as unpredictable as the island weather. As of January 28, 2026, the first seven episodes have aired, and viewers are glued to their screens, eager to see how the tangled web of relationships will unravel. At the center of the storm are two standout women: Kim Min-gee, the renowned “Track and Field Goddess,” and Lee Ha-eun, the late-arriving wildcard who’s turned the game on its head.

Kim Min-gee, at 29, is hardly a stranger to the limelight. According to Marie Claire, she’s been a professional athlete for 17 years, specializing in the 400-meter sprint and hurdles. Her accolades are impressive: she first captured national attention in 2014 with a win at the 43rd Spring National Middle and High School Athletics Championships, and went on to claim first place in the 400-meter flat and hurdles at Korea’s National Sports Festival in 2017 and 2018. The following year, she repeated her victory in the 400-meter race. With such a track record, it’s no wonder she’s earned nicknames like “Athletics Goddess” and “Karina of Track and Field”—the latter a nod to her resemblance to the K-pop idol.

But Kim’s star power isn’t confined to the stadium. She’s made the leap to television, appearing on several sports-based Korean reality shows. In 2022, she debuted as a commentator and TV personality during the Chuseok Special Idol Star Championships, and later joined the cast of the soccer variety show Kick a Goal (also known as Shooting Stars). Her reality TV résumé includes stints on King of Survival: Tribal War—where she competed against heavyweights like Physical: 100 alums and actor Lee Seung-gi—as well as appearances on Knowing Bros., King of the Mask Singer, and Baseball Queen.

Kim’s connections run deep in the Single’s Inferno universe. She’s close friends with Lee Gwan-hee, a basketball player and season 3 standout. In a watch-along for Netflix Korea’s YouTube channel, Lee revealed his surprise at seeing Min-gee on the show, saying, “I was shocked to see that Min-gee was on the show. I wasn’t sure if she’d be the type guys would like. I’m just worried about her.” His protective, brotherly concern added another layer of intrigue for fans who love seeing past and present stars cross paths.

Yet, it’s Kim Min-gee’s complicated love triangle with Song Seung-il and Choi Mina Sue that has set social media ablaze. From the very first episode, Min-gee and Seung-il were among the initial arrivals, immediately thrust into a popularity contest. Min-gee won the women’s vote, but in a twist, she chose to go to Paradise with optician Woo Sung-min instead of Seung-il. The plot thickened when pageant queen Choi Mina Sue entered the scene, catching Seung-il’s attention and setting off a rivalry that would dominate the season’s first half.

As Marie Claire details, the dynamic between Min-gee, Seung-il, and Mina Sue is a rollercoaster. After her return from Paradise, Min-gee and Seung-il reconnected, choosing each other for a second Paradise date. But Seung-il’s heart remained divided. In the infamous episode 4 Truth Game, Min-gee openly declared Seung-il as her pick, while Seung-il admitted he was torn between her and Mina Sue. Mina Sue, for her part, didn’t hide her interest in Seung-il, creating a palpable tension that kept both the cast and the audience guessing.

One of the season’s most memorable moments came when Min-gee, asked for her top pick, playfully grabbed Seung-il by the ear—a gesture that instantly became legendary among fans. Meanwhile, Seung-il and Mina Sue shared private conversations, exploring their mutual curiosity. Despite Min-gee’s frustration, she encouraged both to explore their options, recognizing it as part of the show’s format. Still, Seung-il’s attention kept drifting back to Min-gee. After winning the Fight for the Ball challenge in episode 6, he surprised everyone by picking Min-gee for a special meal date, explaining that he remembered her craving for fried chicken. Yet, he also confessed that if the prize had been a trip to Paradise, he would have chosen Mina Sue instead.

The love triangle’s outcome remains unresolved as of episode 7, with Mina Sue poised to make a pivotal decision in the next installment, set to air on February 3, 2026. The uncertainty only heightens the anticipation, with fans debating endlessly about which pairing will ultimately prevail.

Just when viewers thought they had a handle on the season’s romantic entanglements, Lee Ha-eun made her grand entrance in episode five. As reported by Reality Shrine, Ha-eun arrived on January 27, 2026, instantly shaking up the established dynamics. At just 22 years old, Ha-eun brings a unique blend of confidence and charm. A former hip-hop dancer turned beauty industry model, she’s no stranger to the spotlight. Born on December 24, 2003, she’s rumored to have been an idol trainee and was once a member of the pre-debut group HOWZ. Her Instagram, @haeun_1224_, already boasts 100,000 followers—a testament to her growing popularity.

Ha-eun’s arrival was anything but subtle. She embraced her role as the late-season disruptor, telling the cameras she expected “many things will change” now that she was on the island. Her first move? A quick date with Lee Sung-hun, signaling that she had no intention of fading into the background. Ha-eun’s “rabbit-like eyes” have become a signature feature, frequently mentioned by fans and contestants alike. Her energy is infectious, and her willingness to jump right into the fray has earned her the title of “game-changer” among viewers and commentators.

The addition of Ha-eun has injected fresh uncertainty into the show, as established couples are forced to reconsider their alliances. Her presence has shifted the focus from “who’s coupled up?” to “who’s really in control?”—a question that’s keeping both contestants and audiences on their toes. As Reality Shrine put it, Ha-eun isn’t here to “see what happens”—she’s here to make things happen.

With the season at its midpoint, Single’s Inferno season five is shaping up to be the most unpredictable yet. The combination of seasoned reality stars, athletic prowess, and bold new arrivals has created a volatile mix that promises even more surprises in the episodes to come. As fans eagerly await the next chapter, one thing is clear: on this island, no one’s fate is set in stone, and anything can happen when the temperature—and the drama—keeps rising.