REVIEW: ‘Single’s Inferno Season 4’ Episodes 5–6

A significant shakeup comes from two new contestants in Single’s Inferno Season 4 Episodes 5–6. Episode 4 left things on a major cliffhanger as the female contestants learned they were forced to choose one of the three new potential male suitors in paradise. While the women dined on perfectly curated pastries and sipped from their flutes of champagne, they charmed and were charmed in return by the three men. Three men who are, quite frankly, leagues above most of the current slate of contestants waiting for them back on the Inferno. Perhaps that’s what makes leaving two of them behind sting.

Ultimately, while each man has their admirers, Jong-hoon is chosen, with You-jin being the deciding vote. And it makes sense why with his easy compliments. He’s a smooth talker who leans into flattery. He tells resident favorite Lee Si-an that he previously believed he didn’t consider appearance a reason to date someone until her beauty blew him away. He tells Kim Hye-jin that she looks like a Barbie come to life. No kidding he won votes.

It also makes sense then that Jong-hoon chooses Lee Si-an and Kim Hye-jin to accompany him on his first adventure to Paradise while the remaining girls return to the Inferno. While there, they learn that Jong-hoon is 32 years old and a restauranteur. While not all of the cast’s ages have been revealed yet, this is now two seasons in a row where the women have been in their 20s while several men have been in their 30s. While it’s hardly unexpected that there’s this difference—same with the beauty standards expected by Korean women—it would be nice to see women in their 30s as contestants, too.

Both dates go by with the requisite flirtation, but no sparks fly. At least not from Si-an, who still seems to hold a flame for Jeong-su, who has slowly become unlikable. Like Gwanhee in Season 3, he is trying to game the system and play to everyone’s interests. It doesn’t seem like he’s trying to keep his options open, as this game encourages connections. Instead, he lies and backpedals, delivering half-answers and truths to maintain a veneer of likability.

It’s most evident when he expresses his interest in the newcomer, Park Hae-lin, a self-described “bulldozer.” She’s immediately popular with the men for her expressive and outgoing personality, which is pointedly different from the other female contestants. She’s drawn to Jeong-su and Dong-ho for various reasons. The former because she senses there are similarities. The latter because there are none. And it’s soon obvious why. While Hae-lin is 24 and studying to become an actress (of course), the 30-year-old Dong-ho is one of the few without an entertainment career. He’s an accountant.

Singles Inferno Season 4 introduces a major new, frequent component: alcohol.

Despite their differences, Dong-ho and Hae-lin make for a more engaging onscreen pair. Though, as always, what’s happening on the Inferno itself makes for better entertainment. Singles Inferno Season 4 is stepping it up in terms of orchestrated mess. Episodes 5–6 showcase this with one key component: alcohol. In earlier seasons, alcohol was a rarity. You’d be able to drink if you got to go to paradise, or you get some in the penultimate episode where everyone got to share their ages.

Season 3 introduced it a little earlier, but now it seems that there’s just alcohol on standby at the Inferno. This calculated move cements more drama for Singles Inferno Season 4. While nothing major has happened yet, it seems poised to, due to the new contestants and their opposing energies.

One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of Single’s Inferno Season 4 Episodes 5–6 is Theo. Theo is steadfast in his affection for Si-an in a way that reflects poorly on the other men. Theo gets jealous in moments when other men go out of their way to win Si-an’s approval. This is depicted in little gestures and actions. He understands the nature of the game, which means she’ll be going to paradise with other men. But he never pressures her or demands she tell him what happened.

Instead, in a sweet gesture, he gives her a woven flower ring. He tells her it’s because she mentioned in their first outing that she wished for a life full of romance and happiness. This is his offering of romance and goodness. After the menace that was Gwanhee, it was easy to write Theo’s bravado off as narcissism. And maybe it is; he’s an actor, after all, and could simply be playing a part. But so far, Theo seems decent against so many men who are either coasting on being pretty (Yuk Jun-Seo) or vague with their intent (Jeong-su). Admittedly, it’s a low bar.

Single’s Inferno Season 4 Episodes 5–6 don’t have a ton of drama, but they set up for some in the upcoming installments. It’s a comfortable type of reality TV monotony. Now that all the contestants are introduced, here’s hoping that some real connections will be made with enough time spent on Inferno for real personalities to shine through.

Singles Inferno Season 4 Episodes 5–6 are out now on Netflix.