On February 13, producers Kim Jae Won, Kim Jung Hyun, and Park Soo Ji met for an interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to discuss the recently concluded season. Singles’ Inferno 5 follows singles stranded on a remote island called “Inferno”, where they must pair up to escape. This season, Choi Mina Sue has become one of the 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. “During our team dinner, I even bowed to her deeply. I told her that we should have lunch together and promised to treat her to a really expensive restaurant.”
He described her as sometimes surprisingly shy in person, but 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 of how charming and funny she is,” he shared. She also stressed that she never blamed the production team despite the heated public debate surrounding her. According to him, they remained in contact during the broadcast and discussed when the reaction might ease. By the fourth week, public opinion had begun to soften, especially as viewers recognized that the season wouldn’t be as entertaining without his presence.
Producer Park Soo Ji admitted that they didn’t fully realize the extent of Mina Sue’s complex dynamics during filming. Although they knew he was talking to multiple contestants, they couldn’t always grasp the full context, especially when the conversations took place in English. From the editing room, however, his interactions became some of the most compelling footage.
Kim Jae Won added that editing scenes involving her felt less like a job and more like a hobby. “We were always excited to see what Mina Sue would say next,” he said, laughing. He also noted that this season featured particularly diverse personalities, and much of the intrigue stemmed from Mina Sue’s evolving relationships. In particular, his dynamic with Kim Min Ji stands out. Although it wasn’t romantic, their “love-hate” chemistry seemed straight out of a romantic comedy, attracting the attention of international viewers. He hinted that the upcoming reunion special would showcase their genuine friendship developing beyond the show.
One of the most internally debated moments among the producers was the scene in episode 7 with Mina Sue’s conversation with Lim Su Bin. At the time, viewers and even the staff were divided on whether Su Bin’s storyline would lean towards Hee Sun or Mina Sue. “There were real debates between us,” Park recalled. “Some thought Su Bin and Mina Sue were getting too sweet together. We talked about it more during editing.”
Kim Jae Won reflected that one of the key turning points of the season was the uncertainty of who Mina Sue would choose to go to in “Paradise.” He believes the suspense was one of the biggest attractions for viewers.
She also addressed the controversial “truth game” moment where 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 that this was a risky decision. “Even with bold rules, things can still get boring,” he explained. “But Mina Sue actively used the rule and made courageous choices. We were thrilled that our preparation paid off.” However, he admitted that the consequences of that honesty continued into the finale, leaving the team to ponder whether such candid transparency was always the right approach.
In closing, Kim Jae Won acknowledged the strong criticism Mina Sue received during the broadcast. “There were a lot of negative opinions about her,” he said. “But she gave us and the viewers something exciting in our otherwise repetitive daily lives. We are truly grateful. It’s natural for viewers to criticize while a show is airing, but now that it’s over, we hope people will show their support too.”
Sources: Nate
