Every season of Netflix’s hit dating show Single’s Inferno needs a main character, and for Season 5, Mina Sue Choi has undeniably claimed the throne.
As the show gains traction globally, Mina has emerged as the breakout star, dominating online conversations. according to Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex rankings released on February 3, she topped the charts for the fifth week of January, placing first among all non-scripted TV personalities. Her viral status is driven by a mix of fascination and controversy surrounding her on-screen behavior.
The Season’s ‘Villain’
Mina has drawn significant attention for her candid, and often blunt, personality. She quickly earned the “villain” label from viewers after several tense moments on the island. Most notably, while on a date with contestant Song Seung Il, she openly expressed her interest in another man, Lim Su Bin. Her straightforwardness, which sometimes crosses into perceived rudeness, has polarized viewers but kept them glued to the screen.
A Shocking Duality
However, what has truly sent the internet into a frenzy is the discovery of her past, which contrasts sharply with her reality TV persona. Netizens were shocked to learn that in 2022, Mina made history as the first Korean to win the Miss Earth pageant. Ironically, during the final Q&A of that competition, she was praised for identifying “empathy” as the most important solution to social issues—a trait viewers feel she hasn’t displayed on the island.
Acting with Lee Jong Suk
Her resume doesn’t stop at pageantry. Fans also dug up her appearance in the tvN drama Law and the City, which concluded last August. In a brief cameo, she played a blind date opposite Hallyu superstar Lee Jong Suk, where she was noted for her natural acting skills.
The massive gap between the graceful Miss Earth, the polite actress, and the chaotic energy she brings to Single’s Inferno 5 has left netizens confused yet impressed. Comments have flooded social media, ranging from “How can she be so different from how she appears on TV?” to “She is truly impressive, even if I don’t understand her behavior.”
Whether you view her as a villain or a queen of entertainment, one thing is certain: Mina Sue Choi is the reason everyone is talking about Single’s Inferno 5.
