Spotting the red, green, and beige flags of Single’s Inferno Season 4

Season 4 of Single’s Inferno has once again dropped a group of stunning, charismatic singles onto a remote island, where the competition is fierce, and romance is anything but predictable. The challenge? Finding love while navigating the delicate balance between attraction, compatibility, and strategy – all with the added pressure of limited resources and no modern luxuries.

Here’s a quick primer on how the highly raved Netflix South Korean reality dating show works: Contestants are stranded on Inferno, a deserted island where they must rely on basic survival skills, their charm, and their wits to form meaningful connections. The twist? Personal details like age and occupation cannot be disclosed, forcing contestants to connect based on pure chemistry rather than external factors like career success or social status.

But there’s an escape route: Paradise. This luxurious resort is the ultimate reward, offering fine dining, exquisite accommodation, and, most importantly, the chance to finally unveil personal details and get to know each other on a deeper level. To get there, contestants must form a mutual connection with someone, making every conversation, lingering glance, and strategic move crucial to their fate in the show.

As we approach the season’s final matching, let’s break down the green, red, and beige flags that have us hooked on the most sizzling season yet!

Spoiler alert: Brace yourself for major plot twists and unexpected moments from this season.

Green Flags: Signs of Promise

1. Theo Jang

A quintessential green flag of the season, Theo has captivated viewers with his unwavering loyalty and sincerity, particularly in his interactions with fellow contestant Lee Si-an. Labelled as the “only true man in this season”, fans were in complete awe of Theo’s effort to craft a delicate ring from real flowers during one of Si-an’s departures for Paradise, symbolising his affection and anticipation for her return. 

In the latest episode, Theo had a heartfelt conversation with Si-an where she expressed her decision to take either Jun-seo or Jeong-su to Paradise after winning the Pushing Off The Buoy game. Despite Theo’s sadness, he responded with grace, showing deep admiration and respect for her honesty. The panel commended him for his maturity, especially when he attributed his feelings for Si-an to falling for his first love, emphasising that he had no regrets in openly expressing his affection throughout the season.

There’s no doubt that Theo has become a fan favourite this season, thanks to his ability to express his feelings openly without pressuring or overwhelming his romantic interest. In a setting often dominated by strategic gameplay, Theo’s unwavering authenticity sets him apart, solidifying his reputation as a true symbol of genuine connection on the show.

2. Bae Ji-yeon

Capturing the viewer’s attention with her mix of creativity, athleticism, and genuine interest in others, Bae Ji-yeon has been a captivating presence this season. Her ice-skating date with Kim Tae-hwan highlighted her playful and adventurous spirit, fostering an environment of trust and openness.

Did we also mention that one of the panellists on the show, Dex has expressed his interest in Ji-yeon given that she reminded him of his ideal type, TWICE member, Sana? Fans have been enthusiastic about the potential chemistry between them, eagerly rooting for a future outside the show, with many hoping for Ji-yeon to appear on Dex’s YouTube show. This budding dynamic has added another layer of intrigue to her already mesmerising aura.

Red Flags: Proceed with Caution, or not at all

3. Yuk Jun-seo

Many fans have voiced their discomfort with Jun-seo’s behaviour, particularly his habit of addressing his romantic interests in a dismissive manner, which has been perceived as a lack of respect and basic courtesy. Some have even gone as far as labelling him as “the worst man to ever be on the show”. Furthermore, a controversial “bed scene” between Jun-seo and Si-an in Paradise ignited widespread outrage, as his overtly intimate behaviour while sharing the same bed was deemed inappropriate. 

Despite initially forming a connection with Kim Min-seol, whom he once brought to Paradise, Jun-seo’s sudden shift of focus to Si-an left many viewers stunned, especially after blindsiding Min-seol. In the latest episode, after losing in the Pushing Off The Buoy game, Min-seol mustered the courage to confront Jun-seo about his decision to choose Si-an over her. She expressed her disappointment, as she had been under the impression that he would take her to Paradise after he mentioned that he had yet to have Johnnie Walker with Si-an – a statement that subtly hinted to Min-seol that he would choose her instead. This misdirection left fans (us included) boiling, further directing their view of Jun-seo as a red flag. 

Jun-seo’s behaviour during his second date in Paradise with Si-an also raised concerns. Throughout their time together, Si-an repeatedly asked him to speak to her more gently, to which he countered by questioning whether he had ever been gentle with her. To make matters worse, he defended that his demeanour is simply part of his nature, implying that he has no intention of changing for her.

4. Kim Jeong-su

Initially depicted as a “golden retriever-like” individual who enjoys lovey-dovey relationships, Jeong-su was widely liked by fans for his charm and mannerisms. However, this image has since been tarnished by his tendency to be overly expressive with multiple female contestants simultaneously. His romantic interests, Lee Si-an, Kim Hye-jin, and Park Hae-lin, have all found themselves entangled in his conflicting affections, sparking controversy among viewers.

In the recent episodes, fans and the panel were particularly shocked when Jeong-su chose Chung You-jin to go to Paradise with, given that neither had expressed interest in each other while on Inferno. He later explained in his sit-down interview that he didn’t pick Hye-jin or Hae-lin because he didn’t want to imply he had made a firm decision about who to pursue, further highlighting his pattern of puzzling his love interests and being misleading. This escalated during the double date in Paradise with Jun-seo and Si-an, where there were clear signs of flirtation between Jeong-su and You-jin. He described her as “incredible”, while she cheekily noted that she is “good with physical activities”.

However, fans have speculated that Jeong-su’s sudden display of affection toward You-jin may have been a deliberate attempt to provoke a reaction from Si-an, whom he strongly wishes to pursue. However, she ultimately chose Jun-seo whom she had gone to Paradise with the previous day. Jeong-su’s actions, coupled with his unsolicited flirtation with multiple female contestants, have only fuelled controversy surrounding him, earning him the title of a “walking red flag” among viewers.

Beige Flags: The Quirky Quirks

5. Kim Tae-hwan

“I’ve been aware of my good looks ever since I was born.” If Tae-hwan’s introduction in the show still makes you cringe, rest assured, we’re right there with you. While he initially came across as narcissistic, his calm demeanour and respectful interactions with Ji-yeon suggested a level of maturity that added composure to their dynamic.

However, their highly anticipated ice-skating date wasn’t as enchanting as it seemed. Though Tae-hwan’s patience and encouragement gave the illusion of a supportive atmosphere, Ji-yeon expressed in her sit-down interview how he often skated ahead, leaving her behind with little to no consideration for her attempt to keep up. His self-focused tendencies extended into their conversations, where he frequently spoke about himself while rarely initiating questions with Ji-yeon.

Unknowingly, Tae-hwan has since made it clear that his primary focus is on building his career and forming his own culture – a sentiment the panel jokingly referred to as his desire to become the “president of culture”. Yet, for Tae-hwan, this was anything but a joke. He took it so seriously that, during their swim session in Paradise, he told Ji-yeon that while he doesn’t plan to stay single forever, he is currently leaning in that direction. This starkly contrasted Ji-yeon’s expressed desire to start a family in the future, leaving her and viewers confused about his decision to join the show in the first place.

6. Lee Si-an

Emerging as one of the season’s most perplexing contestants, Si-an’s indecisiveness and inability to commit to a single romantic interest have left viewers questioning her intentions and emotional sincerity. Throughout the season, Si-an has been caught in a cycle of back-and-forth relationships with multiple men. With Theo, there was a spark early on, but Si-an’s attention quickly shifted as she became more drawn to Jun-seo, leading many to view her actions as somewhat flighty. When it came to Jeong-su, Si-an often appeared uncertain about where she stood with him, leading to confusion and frustration with herself. Finally, her interactions with An Jong-hoon further deepened the perception of Si-an as someone who struggles to make clear decisions about who she’s truly interested in.

In the latest episode, after winning the Pushing Off The Buoy game, Si-an had an emotional conversation with Theo regarding her decision on who she wishes to leave Inferno with. Despite her choice to move past Theo, she remains in a state of inner conflict, torn between embracing her preference for outward affection and lovey-dovey gestures, such as those from Jeong-su, or choosing someone more traditionally masculine and emotionally reserved, like Jun-seo.

Not necessarily a negative term, Si-an has been labelled a “beige flag” due to her lack of definitive choices and inability to establish clear boundaries. While she may not display weighty red flags of manipulation or dishonesty, her lack of clarity has made her one of the most unpredictable and confounding contestants of the season.

As we near the tail end of the season, the show’s ever-shifting dynamics continue to keep viewers on edge. It remains to be seen who will overcome their red flags, whose connections will withstand the test of time, and whether Si-an’s elusive heart will ultimately choose Jun-seo or Jeong-su. In the end, Single’s Inferno proves once again that in the game of love, nothing is ever as it seems – making this season the most captivating and unpredictable yet.