In Netflix’s Single’s Inferno 5, 2003-born contestant Park Hee Sun quietly stood out as a calm yet strong presence. She didn’t get swept up in emotions or waver between choices her heart was set on one person from the beginning. Even after facing the shocking moment of receiving zero votes in the attraction ranking, she held onto her feelings. In the final selection, Lim Subin chose her hand.
In an interview held on February 25 at the Hankook Ilbo headquarters, Park Hee Sun shared that she initially joined the show without much expectation. “I went to meet the writer out of curiosity. It felt like chatting with a friend in a comfortable atmosphere,” she said. “I started with a light heart, but as filming went on, it became more fun, and I found myself reflecting a lot on who I am.”
As it was her first time appearing on a dating reality show and being in her early twenties many experiences felt unfamiliar. Park, who was named “Seon” (runner-up) at the 68th Miss Korea pageant, is currently majoring in Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon University. Having spent much of her life studying abroad and focusing on academics, she admitted, “I’ve never approached a guy first in my life. I’m still young, and honestly, I didn’t expect to be the most popular contestant. But I definitely didn’t expect zero votes. Haha.”
Recalling her first day on Inferno Island, she said, “I watched every season of Single’s Inferno. But when I actually arrived at the filming location, I thought, ‘Is this real? Am I really here?’ I was so nervous. I tend to laugh when I feel awkward, so I just kept smiling. It took a couple of days to adjust.”
However, life on Inferno was not as exciting as she had imagined. Her connection with Lim Subin, the person she liked most, didn’t progress smoothly at first, and they barely spoke in the early days. “He’s naturally very reserved. My first impression was, ‘He’s exactly my type, but he’s clearly not interested in me.’ I tried to get to know others, but my heart just didn’t move. By the second night, I felt that it was even harder knowing there were many days left and no one else I was drawn to.”
She described that period as the most emotionally difficult time. “When I went to Paradise with Lee Sung Hoon, he asked me, ‘When was the hardest moment in your life?’ I answered, ‘Right now.’ And he said, ‘Me too,’ and we high-fived. Haha. It was my first time not being chosen, my first time approaching someone first, and all those emotions piled up.”
Although she often felt like crying, she rarely showed her emotions publicly. “I don’t like showing my feelings in front of others. I used to be called a crybaby in school, so I learned to hold it in. Whenever I felt tears coming on Inferno, I endured it and cried alone under the blanket.”
Determined by her belief in effort and achievement, Park eventually decided to focus on doing her best, regardless of the outcome. “Once I made up my mind to sincerely express my feelings to the person I liked most, it became less painful. During the photoshoot with Subin, we talked a lot and grew closer. Still, I tried not to expect too much. I kept telling myself he might still have feelings for someone else to protect my heart.”
The turning point came during the helicopter ride back from Paradise, when Lim Subin gently let her rest her head on his shoulder. “That’s when I thought, ‘Is it me now?’ After that, I could clearly feel his attention shifting toward me. That moment made my heart flutter the most.”
Although Paradise offered luxury and comfort, she realized that the person mattered more than the place. “Paradise was nice, but what’s important is who you’re with. Honestly, even Inferno felt like heaven when I was with Subin,” she said shyly. After filming ended, they even spent time together before packing up and leaving.
In the final episode, Lim Subin chose Park Hee Sun, telling her, “I was grateful to you for everything while we were here. Because of you, Inferno felt like heaven.” She responded, “The person I want to leave Inferno with is Lim Subin. Thanks to you, Inferno felt like Paradise. Let’s go eat something delicious.”
Addressing viewers who claimed she only cared about looks, Park clarified, “That’s not true. Of course, appearance matters a bit. But it’s not about being handsome or not I like kind-looking faces. I like soft, gentle features. More importantly, it’s personality. Talking with Subin felt so comfortable. He’s serious, thoughtful about the future, and lives diligently every day. I liked that.”
For Park, the greatest reward from Single’s Inferno 5 was the people she met. “If not for this show, I would never have met these individuals. If I had just continued studying and working in the U.S., our paths wouldn’t have crossed. That makes these connections even more precious.”
Despite the show’s immense popularity, her daily life remains relatively calm. She plans to spend a year as an international visiting student at Seoul National University starting in March. “I applied because I’ve always dreamed of studying in Korea. For now, I’ll focus on being a student. If new opportunities come, I’ll work hard at those too. And if you see me on the street, feel free to say hi. Haha.”
Sources: Daum
You must be logged in to post a comment.