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SINGLE'S Inferno, the hottest dating competition reality show circulating Korea at the moment, is now on Netflix for your viewing pleasure.
Bringing similar concepts of Western shows of this type, such as Love Island and Survivor, Single’s Inferno brings together a group of men and women on an island deemed The Inferno (because it’s hot, metaphorically and literally), where they will spend eight days surviving and getting to know each other; hopefully leaving with their happily ever after.
What makes Single’s Inferno different from Love Island is the rule that contestants are not allowed to disclose their age and occupation while on the island.
However, if they do succeed in the coupling process, they will then be given the opportunity to leave The Inferno to spend the night at a luxury hotel, that goes by the name Paradise.
In Paradise, the couple will be able to get to know each other better with no limitations, which is what viewers are most excited for, mainly because we get to finally know more about these contestants.
Considering the fact that this is still set in Asia, couples do not share the same bed, nor do we get the steamy makeout scenes that we would usually get from shows like Love Island and Too Hot To Handle.
Single’s Inferno comes with a panel of commentators, namely Lee Da-Hee, Kyuhyun, Hong Jin-kyung and Hanhae, which may be a foreign element in Western dating competitions, but is actually a common feature in Korean reality TV.
While the notion of a dating reality program instigates the expectations of catty gossiping and drama, Single’s Inferno unfortunately does not check that box.
Instead, almost comically, it feels more like you’re watching a real-life Korean drama unfold, and the commentators are part of the audience, that you might or might not relate with.
The melodrama woven among contestants just rings K-drama throughout, as couples try to navigate their way around each other and their feelings.
Single’s Inferno might sound mild and non-triggering, but it has stirred the pot with its choice of contestants and their typical dating ideology.
The series has received heat from viewers as male contenders commented on the purity and fairness of one of the girls’ skin colour, and how that makes her attractive, upon their first encounter.
You may argue that this is just a cultural thing where Korean men are infatuated with women who are fair and pure-looking, but unfortunately, this still perpetuates the idea that women are only attractive if and when she looks like a living, breathing Barbie doll.
Korean influencer, Song Ji-a, one of the female participants in particular, (who in my opinion) looks like a carbon copy of Blankpink’s Jennie received the most attention as she carries that ideal image of a woman being, in her words, “cute and sexy.”
The first two episodes really accentuated the misogynistic aspect of dating, where the seemingly helpless damsel attracts the attention of muscular model-looking men, while all other women just become benchwarmers.
Not only was it triggering in terms of the white-washing culture, but also because of its male-centric focus when it comes to dating.
It could just be me, but these dating reality programs show how brutal the dating scene, especially in Asia, can be if you don’t fit the established beauty standards.
Yet, the women on the island are no victims either, as they still perpetuate the cycle, with their eyes focused on the good-looking and wealthy men.
In the words of Ji-a, "personality is important, and how much money he has".
At the moment, Single’s Inferno has no indication of prize money nor an elimination process, however, episode four, that was released on Christmas day, left viewers at a cliffhanger with the prospect of newcomers.
The series debuted on December 18, 2021 with its first two episodes and will release two new episodes weekly until January 8, 2022. – The Vibes, January 1, 2022
