Single's Inferno

Single's Inferno (Korean: 솔로지옥) is a South Korean reality television series on Netflix. The program's hosts are model Hong Jin-kyung, actress Lee Da-hee, singer and Super Junior member Kyuhyun, rapper Hanhae, and YouTuber/cast member from season 2, Dex. The first season was released from December 18, 2021 to January 8, 2022. The second season was released from December 13, 2022 to January 10, 2023. The third season was released from December 12, 2023 to January 9, 2024. The fourth season was released from January 14, to February 11, 2025.
The show's main concept takes the idea of survival shows and mixes it with the idea of fighting for their intended love interest. Participants are left on an island (Inferno), and the mission is to leave with their love interest to Paradise. The location of the shoot is about an hour from Seoul, South Korea.
Twelve singles are meant to find their love on this island through challenges and getting to know each other throughout the season. Something unique to the show is its way of capturing awkward moments between participants and how friendship was formed in addition to love. Relationships and people take a deep dive into learning about one another, not just the shallow desires of physical relationships.
In the show, participants are given the opportunity to get to know each other through dates on the island where they reside during the duration of the show or through dates on Paradise Island, which is often a high-end luxurious hotel where they are removed from the rest of the party to enjoy exclusive time with each other. The deserted island the contestants reside on, called Inferno, requires them to cook their own food, not use their electronics, and draw their own water. Beginning in Season 4, contestants no longer have to prepare their own food or collect water, as production now provides these necessities to make life on Inferno less challenging. Any discussion of age and occupation is also not allowed. The only thing to do is to date and win games in order to have the opportunity to escape the island. During the first episode, contestants are asked to write to a potential interest using a postcard. However, the chosen interest does not have to stay the same throughout the show. The games and free dates within the deserted island give contestants the time to make the decision of who they would like to go to Paradise with.
Paradise is the direct opposite of Inferno. It is a luxurious island where paired contestants can enjoy dates with room service and fun activities in their paid hotels. It is the ultimate goal for contestants, as it is also the place where people can ask about their interests' age and occupations. People can only go to Paradise if they choose a person that also chose to go with them.
The final couple of matches are made in the last episode. The women are placed at different points on the island. If the male contestant is interested in a woman, he will walk up to her. If she accepts him and takes his hand, they both can leave Inferno together as a match.
Note: As of January 2025 no couple is still together.
Note: As of January 2025 no couple is still together.
Note: As of January 2025 no couple is still together.
In episode 4, contestants were asked to give candies in the mailbox of anyone they're interested in, and multiple selections were allowed.
As of March 2025
In episode 4, contestants were asked to give a chocolate coin in the mailbox of anyone they're interested in. Multiple selections were allowed.
Netflix has confirmed the release date of season one which would be on December 18, 2021, with eight episodes. The season two was confirmed and released on December 13, 2022, with ten episodes. The production of season three was confirmed with changes in rules and location, which was released on December 12, 2023. Season four production was confirmed and is slated to premiere on January 14, 2025.
It has been described as a Korean version of Bachelor in Paradise. Single's Inferno has been ranked among Netflix's Global Top 10 list, becoming the first Korean reality show to reach the list. It became popular in many regions, and the hashtag #singlesinferno was trending on social media throughout its run.
There had been a handful of controversies during and after the show. While the show was popular as it was airing, some fans were irked by the amount of comments season one had on one contestant's, Shin Ji-Yeon, skin. In Korea, the beauty standard is to have "white skin." It is noticeable how often male and female contestants commented and complimented her white skin. Netizens criticized the way the show portrayed having "white skin" as something more desirable than not.
After season one, female contestant Song Ji-a received backlash for wearing fake luxury items. Because her content is about her high maintenance lifestyle and because she regularly shared reviews about certain luxury products, fans were disappointed by her admittance that the rumors of her wearing fake items were partially true. She has since apologized on her social media and deleted posts that showed these fake items. South Korea outlaws the selling and production of counterfeit goods. However, buyers who did not recognize the items were counterfeit are not considered to have broken the law.
In May 2024, season 1 contestant Si-hun announced his engagement to singer-songwriter Ailee.