At the start of this year, Netflix’s reality dating show ‘Single’s Inferno 5’ captivated viewers worldwide. At the center was an unforgettable presence, Choi Min-a Soo, who shook up the dynamics with unpredictable choices. How did Choi Min-a Soo, returning to everyday life after leaving the ‘Inferno,’ experience change? We delved into her story beyond the camera.
Dubbed the ‘biggest beneficiary’ of ‘Single’s Inferno 5,’ Choi Min-a Soo quickly rose to fame. Amid the deluge of attention, is she feeling the change in her daily life?
“I’m grateful and amazed that many people recognize me now. I used to be unnoticed, but recently, people call my name and it’s a surreal experience. Today, someone called out ‘Choi Min-a Soo!’ during this interview, and it turned out to be someone who knew me from the show. It’s bringing a sense of familiarity with people I don’t know.”
We asked her how much she believes her participation contributed to the show’s popularity and success.
“I knew I did my best, but I didn’t expect such a buzz. Other participants were just as committed. We all gave our all on ‘Single’s Inferno 5.'”
Watching herself on screen was an opportunity for Choi to reflect. In the moment, she acted on her emotions, but viewing it made her consider her choices more critically.
“During filming, I thought I’d act on my feelings, but didn’t expect it to go this way. Watching it, I thought, ‘Maybe I could have toned it down,’ or ‘Could I have done better?'”
The ‘Single’s Inferno Reunion,’ where cast members reconvened to share behind-the-scenes stories, was another chance for retrospection. Facing past moments on screen with her co-stars became a moment of self-reflection.
“I wanted to break the TV (laughs). Watching my awkward moments wasn’t easy. I felt sorry for the people around me and had to reflect on myself.”
Throughout the broadcast, fan reactions were intense. Even the production team mentioned Choi’s emotional burden in earlier interviews. How did she endure the challenging times?
“I tried to avoid the internet as much as possible during the airing period. The production staff frequently checked in on me and advised me against reading comments. I also tried to maintain my mental health by staying in and avoiding online reactions.”
As the show neared its end, the atmosphere started to shift. Amid mixed reactions, supportive voices for Choi began to rise.
“The PD told me, ‘Things will get better around weeks 3 or 4,’ but even in week 3, there was still criticism (laughs). After the show wrapped, I felt, ‘This is okay.'”
Image source: Netflix
