On February 4, a post shared by an acquaintance of Choi Mina Sue circulated online. The photo shows a person believed to be Choi Mina Sue crouched in a corner with her head lowered, her face unseen. The caption, reading “She’s reflecting right nowㅠㅠ,” quickly caught viewers’ attention and was widely interpreted as a response to the wave of criticism she has faced since the broadcast.

Another image shared by the same acquaintance showed Choi Mina Sue sitting in front of a television, watching her own scenes from Episodes 1 through 4. The accompanying text read, “A real friend’s review after watching Episodes 1–4 together: ‘So what are your true feelings, really?’” The post appeared to acknowledge the negative reactions that followed the episodes’ release.

Previously, a different acquaintance also spoke out in her defense on Instagram, describing Choi Mina Sue as “a genuinely kind friend who notices and supports emotions even I don’t recognize myself,” adding, “She’s someone who only gets better the more you get to know her, so please support her until the final episode.” The message drew attention as a show of solidarity amid growing scrutiny.

Choi Mina Sue has been at the center of debate throughout Single’s Inferno 5 due to her complex emotional dynamics with multiple male contestants, earning her the label of a “reed-like character” who sways easily. Her entanglements with Hyeonwoo, Sunghoon, Seungil, and Subin heightened tension and drama on the show, but some viewers criticized her free-spirited behavior, interpreting certain actions as inconsiderate.

One particularly controversial moment involved her unexpected question about whether it would be possible to leave with two men at once. Panelist Hong Jin-kyung immediately shut down the comment with a firm “Please stop,” a scene that spread rapidly online and was dubbed a “refreshing reality check” by viewers. In the most recent episode released on February 3, Choi Mina Sue’s date in Paradise with Song Seungil further fueled criticism, as she appeared distracted and unable to fully focus on her partner. The episode culminated in Seungil remarking that he wanted to “go back to Inferno as soon as possible,” intensifying the backlash.

As Single’s Inferno 5 continues, attention remains fixed on how Choi Mina Sue’s story will unfold and whether reflection off-screen may lead to a shift in perception in the episodes to come.

Sources: Nate