"There’s no reason not to cast half-celebrities’ (an individual who is not completely a celebrity or ordinary people). As long as they are attractive and sincere, they are welcome on our show. Whether they are celebrities, influencers, or regular people, they are all just people."

Kim Jae Won, the director of Netflix's dating reality show 'Single’s Inferno 4,' addressed the recurring controversy regarding the casting of influencers. He explained, "When FreeZia appeared on our show, she already had a strong fanbase. The same goes for Dex, Lee Kwan Hee, and Yuk Jun Seo. Just because they’re public figures doesn’t mean they don’t date—that’s why we cast them."

The 'Single’s Inferno' series is a dating reality show where contestants must couple up to escape "Inferno." 'Single’s Inferno 4' recorded the longest first-week viewership among all seasons and made it to Netflix’s Top 10. After the season concluded, directors Kim Jae Won, Kim Jung Hyun, and Park Soo Ji met for an interview at a café in Anguk-dong, Seoul.

This season featured many participants with prior experience in the entertainment industry, including Lee Si An, Jang Tae Oh, Yuk Jun Seo, and Park Hae Rin. The show has previously included well-known figures like FreeZia and Dex, and season two’s Shin Seul Ki transitioned into acting after gaining popularity on the show. This has led to ongoing debates about the contestants’ true intentions—whether they join to find love or simply for self-promotion. However, the producers maintain that "the love that blossoms on the secluded island is real."

Director Kim Jae Won explained, "The hardest part of making a reality show is doing nothing. It’s difficult to hold back when you want to intervene. But if we interfere or guide the direction, the authenticity is lost, and the balance is disrupted. Even if the show takes an unexpected turn or doesn’t end the way viewers want, we have to accept it and deliver the story as it is. That’s the essence of reality TV. ‘No interference—ever.’ It’s tough, but it’s a rule we must follow. The temptation is there, but resisting it is our expertise." 

Director Park Soo Ji pointed to Yuk Jun Seo and Lee Si An’s double date with Kim Jung Soo and Jung Yoo Jin as one of the season’s most memorable moments. Initially, Yuk Jun Seo paired with Jung Yoo Jin, while Kim Jung Soo was with Lee Si An. However, the couple switched partners during a double date in Paradise.

Director Park Soo Ji elaborated "This was a first for the show. We were curious—what happens when people with an existing connection pair up? Watching it unfold, we could see the contestants wavering, genuinely contemplating who they preferred as a partner. It’s not a situation many experience in real life, but I believe the show captured an authentic emotional journey." 

The most talked-about moment this season was when Yuk Jun Seo and Lee Si An shared a hotel bed in Paradise. Even the MCs were visibly shocked. The next morning, as the two remained in bed, reactions included, "Were the cameras rolling all night?" and "Nothing happened, right?" The pair even earned the nickname "YukSian" among fans.

Director Park Soo Ji shared, "The crew was just as surprised as the MCs. It wasn’t shocking in a scandalous way, but rather at how quickly their relationship progressed." 

Director Kim Jae Won revealed, "Nothing major happened, but since it was the first time in 'Single’s Inferno' history that two contestants shared a bed under the same blanket, we were definitely surprised. That said, if you take away the cameras, it’s natural for two young adults with mutual attraction. Relationships develop at different speeds. Some escalate quickly, while others take months to unfold." 

By the season’s end, four couples had formed. Lee Si An, who ended up with Yuk Jun Seo, excited viewers by saying, "I want to continue dating Jun Seo in real life and go public with our relationship." Fans are now curious whether the two are still together.

Director Kim Jae Won confessed, "I’d love to confirm which couples are dating in real life, but I think it’s best left to the contestants themselves. Now that the show has wrapped, I’ve asked them to be open and honest with viewers. I expect they’ll reveal their status in their own way."

Since 'Single’s Inferno' features non-celebrity contestants, controversies sometimes arise when their past, including allegations of school bullying, comes to light after the show airs. This is why contestant vetting remains a major topic.

Director Kim Jae Won shared, "We can’t access personal records like school files, so verification is challenging. Instead, we conduct reputation checks by contacting former classmates and colleagues. But it’s impossible to investigate someone’s entire life. At the same time, we believe anyone with a problematic past wouldn’t risk appearing on such a widely watched show."

Since authenticity is key in dating shows, ensuring contestants are single is crucial. When asked how they verify this, Kim Jae Won responded, "We ask them directly and require confirmations in various forms." Kim Jung Hyun added, "Sometimes, friends or acquaintances come forward to provide insight during the background check process."

Director Kim Jae Won also elaborated, "We also make it clear that there are severe penalties for lying about relationship status. If a contestant joins while secretly dating someone, it’s a huge issue for us. Since they know the consequences—including financial penalties. There’s no reason to believe anyone would enter the show while in a relationship." 

With 'Single’s Inferno 5' already in the works, Kim Jae Won shared insights on casting:

"As we continue the series, a common theme has emerged: viewers love watching exceptionally attractive people navigate love in an isolated setting. So, once again, we’ll put great effort into casting visually striking contestants."

Regarding the MC lineup, he stated, "Nothing is set yet, but one of the best pieces of feedback from season 4 was that the MCs had perfect chemistry. Some viewers even watched the show just for them. We’ll take that into account when making decisions soon."

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