Netflix's 'Single's Inferno 4' Director Addresses Casting Controversy and Show's Authenticity

"There's no reason not to cast 'Yeonbanin' (a term for celebrities who are also ordinary people). If they are charming and genuine, they can definitely be part of our program. Whether they are celebrities, 'Yeonbanin', or ordinary people, they are all the same."

Kim Jae-won, the director of Netflix's dating reality show 'Single's Inferno 4', addressed the recurring controversy over casting 'Yeonbanin'. He explained, "When Freezia appeared on our show, she already had a large fan base, and the same goes for Dex, Lee Kwan-hee, and Yuk Jun-seo. Just because they are celebrities doesn't mean they don't date, which is why we cast them."

The 'Single's Inferno' series is a dating reality show where singles must become a couple to escape the 'Inferno Island'. 'Single's Inferno 4' recorded the longest 'first-week viewing hours' among all seasons, entering Netflix's Top 10. After the season concluded, directors Kim Jae-won, Kim Jung-hyun, and Park Soo-ji were interviewed at a café in Anguk-dong, Seoul.

This season featured participants like Lee Si-an, Jang Tae-oh, Yuk Jun-seo, and Park Hae-rin, who are already active in the broadcasting and entertainment industry. Previous seasons also included well-known figures like Freezia and Dex. Season 2's Shin Seul-gi gained popularity from the show and is now pursuing an acting career. This has led to ongoing debates about the authenticity of participants, with some suggesting they join the show for self-promotion rather than genuine romance. However, the production team insists that "the love that blossoms on the isolated island is real."

"The hardest part of producing a reality show is doing nothing. It's tough to resist the urge to intervene. If we interfere or guide the direction, it loses authenticity and balance. Even if it doesn't go the way we want or the viewers expect, we must accept it and present it without alteration. That's the essence of reality TV. 'Never intervene.' It's a challenging but essential principle. Resisting temptation is the key." (Kim Jae-won, PD)

Park Soo-ji, PD, highlighted the double date scene with Yuk Jun-seo, Lee Si-an, Kim Jung-soo, and Jung Yoo-jin as a memorable moment of the season. Initially, Yuk Jun-seo and Jung Yoo-jin, and Kim Jung-soo and Lee Si-an paired up for dates. Later, the partners switched for a double date in 'Paradise Island'.

"It was the first time we showed such a scene across all seasons. We were curious about what would happen when people with existing connections met as couples. Watching them, it was clear they were conflicted, pondering who would be a better partner. It's not something easily experienced in reality, but within the program, it showed genuine emotions." (Park Soo-ji, PD)

One of the most talked-about moments this season was when Yuk Jun-seo and Lee Si-an shared a bed in a hotel on 'Paradise Island'. Even the MCs were taken aback. The next morning, viewers reacted with comments like "Was the camera rolling at night?" and "Did anything happen?" The couple earned the nickname 'Yuk-Sian'.

"We were quite surprised on set too. Our reactions were similar to the MCs. It wasn't 'shock' but amazement at how quickly their relationship progressed." (Park Soo-ji, PD)

"Nothing significant happened. However, sharing a bed was a first for the series, so it was surprising. Excluding the cameras, it's a natural occurrence for young adults in their 20s who are attracted to each other. There are various types of relationships in the world, some progress quickly, others take months." (Kim Jae-won, PD)

'Single's Inferno 4' concluded with four couples. Lee Si-an, who paired with Yuk Jun-seo, expressed her desire to date publicly, saying, "I want to be a real couple with Jun-seo and date openly." Viewers are curious if they became a real-life couple.

"I want to share who became a real couple, but it feels inappropriate. Now that the program is over, I've asked the participants to be honest and open about their current status. I believe they'll reveal it in their own way." (Kim Jae-won, PD)

Programs featuring non-celebrities often face controversies when participants' pasts, such as school bullying, come to light. This is why 'participant verification' is a recurring topic.

"It's challenging to verify sensitive personal information like school records. We check reputations by contacting school friends or colleagues. However, we can't scrutinize every aspect of someone's life. We also think, 'Would someone with a controversial past appear on such a popular show?' Since many people watch, if their past could be problematic, they might decline themselves."

Given the nature of a dating show, the participants' 'current relationship status' is crucial for authenticity. When asked how this is verified, Kim Jae-won, PD, said, "We ask questions and get confirmations in various ways." Kim Jung-hyun, PD, added, "During fact-checking, friends or acquaintances sometimes speak on behalf of the participants."

"We inform them of the significant penalties if issues arise later. If someone with a partner participates, it's a big problem for us. Knowing there are penalties, I don't think anyone would join while in a relationship. Penalties can be financial or in other forms." (Kim Jae-won, PD)

'Single's Inferno' will return for a fifth season. Kim Jae-won, PD, shared, "As the seasons progress, a universally relatable direction has emerged. It's a dating show where visually striking individuals, not commonly seen, are isolated on an island for romance. We'll strive to cast unique visuals again." Regarding MC casting, he said, "Nothing is confirmed yet, but one of the best feedbacks from Season 4 was the perfect chemistry among the MCs. Some even watched because of them. We'll consider this and decide soon."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr