On February 13, producers Kim Jae Won, Kim Jung Hyun, and Park Soo Ji sat down for an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to discuss the recently concluded season. Single’s Inferno 5 follows singles stranded on a remote island called “Inferno,” where they must form couples to escape. This season, Choi Mina Sue became one of its most talked-about figures.
Producer Kim Jae Won admitted that the strong response to the season was largely thanks to her. “We can feel the positive reaction ourselves. It’s all thanks to Mina Sue, and we agree with that,” he said. “At our team dinner, I even gave her a deep bow. I told her we should have a meal together, and I promised to treat her to a really expensive restaurant.”
He described her as surprisingly shy in person at times, yet bright, cheerful, and outgoing perhaps influenced by her international background. “When I bowed to her, she felt embarrassed and bowed back. Every time we met, I was reminded how charming and entertaining she is,” he shared. He also emphasized that she never blamed the production team despite the heated public debate surrounding her. According to him, they stayed in touch during the broadcast and discussed when the backlash might ease. By the fourth week, public opinion had begun to soften, especially as viewers acknowledged that the season would not have been as entertaining without her presence.
Producer Park Soo Ji admitted they had not fully realized the extent of Mina Sue’s complex dynamics while filming. Although they knew she spoke with multiple contestants, they did not always catch the full context especially when conversations were held in English. From the editing room, however, her interactions became some of the most compelling footage.
Kim Jae Won added that editing scenes involving her felt less like work and more like enjoying a hobby. “We were always excited to see what Mina Sue would say next,” he said with a laugh. He also noted that this season featured especially diverse personalities, and much of the intrigue stemmed from Mina Sue’s evolving relationships. In particular, her dynamic with Kim Min Ji stood out. Though not romantic, their “love-hate” chemistry felt like something out of a romantic comedy, gaining attention from international viewers. He hinted that the upcoming reunion special would show their genuine friendship developing beyond the show.
One of the most debated moments internally among producers was the scene in Episode 7 featuring Mina Sue’s conversation with Lim Su Bin. At the time, viewers and even staff were divided over whether Su Bin’s storyline would lean toward Hee Sun or Mina Sue. “There were real debates among us,” Park recalled. “Some thought Su Bin and Mina Sue were becoming too sweet together. We talked about it the most while editing.”
Kim Jae Won reflected that one of the season’s key turning points was the uncertainty over who Mina Sue would choose to go to “Paradise” with. He believes that suspense was one of the biggest draws for viewers.
He also addressed the controversial “truth game” moment in which Mina Sue revealed she had feelings for three people. The production team had introduced a new rule requiring contestants to answer questions without passing, fully aware it was a risky decision. “Even with bold rules, things can still turn out boring,” he explained. “But Mina Sue used the rule actively and made bold choices. We were thrilled it felt like our preparation paid off.” Still, he admitted that the aftermath of that honesty carried through to the finale, leaving the team reflecting on whether such blunt transparency was always the right approach.
In closing, Kim Jae Won acknowledged the strong criticism Mina Sue received during the broadcast. “There were many negative opinions about her,” he said. “But she gave us and the viewers something exciting in our otherwise repetitive daily lives. We’re truly grateful to her. It’s natural for viewers to criticize while a show is airing, but now that it’s over, we hope people will also show her support.”
Sources: Nate
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