Attractive hopefuls came together to deliver viral moments and unforgettable romance on the latest season of Netflix Korea’s "Single’s Inferno," a dating reality show that not only captured hearts but also made history as the first Korean entertainment series on the platform to be greenlit for a fifth season.

This season brought together 13 cast members from diverse professions, ranging from models to YouTubers to sportscasters, and showcased them as they embarked on a quest to find a romantic interest.

According to the creators, the latest "Single’s Inferno" season has been one of its most successful yet.

"This season, we saw an outpouring of love, particularly from viewers in their teens and twenties. The positive reactions on social media have been incredibly rewarding," series producer Kim Jung-hyun remarked during a group interview held Thursday in Seoul’s Samcheong-dong.

PD Kim Jae-won echoed the sentiment, noting the active audience engagement. "There was an explosive reaction, with YouTube reaction videos surpassing a million views. Season 4 received a better response than Season 3 on Netflix, which led to the decision to proceed with Season 5," he said.

Kim Jae-won attributed "Single’s Inferno’s" enduring appeal to its casting choices.

“Ultimately, visuals are our top priority. We focus on individuals whose appearances aren’t easily found in daily life. Even the most attractive people come here, get hurt, cry, compete and experience shifts in popularity. I think that’s what makes (the show) interesting. I see (the show) as the Premier League for experienced and charismatic individuals," he said.

However, while looks may matter, Kim Jae-won emphasized that authenticity is non-negotiable. “If a contestant enters with a hidden agenda, if they’re just acting, the audience will disengage. Authenticity is a core principle for us, and we fight to uphold it every season. I believe this is something we must continue to protect, moving forward,” said Kim.

Kim Jae-won elaborated on the future direction of "Single’s Inferno," emphasizing its aim to balance drama and reality.

"Viewers of romance reality shows have very contrasting desires. They crave something different from scripted drama but still expect dramatic moments to unfold,” said Kim Jae-won.

"(Our) ideal scenario is having ordinary people step into a storyline that feels like a drama, leading to a perfectly compelling conclusion," he added.

The competition to appear on the show was fierce this season, with thousands of applications flooding in.

"We conducted about 500 first-round interviews alone," shared PD Kim Jung-hyun. "In total, we likely received several thousand applications, including virtual interviews with international applicants."

Kim Jae-won made it clear that fluency in Korean was a must for foreign contestants. “If someone wants to participate, even if they’re a foreigner, they must be able to speak Korean. It wouldn’t make sense if communication wasn’t possible. If a foreign applicant is fluent in Korean, they would definitely be considered," he said.

Among the season’s breakout stars was Yuk Jun-seo, whose chemistry with model Lee Si-an became an online sensation. The producers were quick to point out that Yuk had been on their radar since the first season. “We’ve been trying to recruit Yuk since Season 1. He was the perfect fit — his vibe was made for the wild environment of a deserted island,” PD Kim Jae-won shared.

The show’s charismatic MCs — Hong Jin-kyung, Lee Da-hee, Kyuhyun, Hanhae and Dex— also played a pivotal role in the show’s success, with the audience praising their sharp, entertaining commentary and analysis of the contestants’ relationships.

As for the future, PD Kim Jae-won acknowledged the connection audiences feel with the current lineup of MCs. "We’ve heard from countless viewers about their attachment to the MCs, and we’ll have internal discussions (about having them on the show for season 5) before making any final decisions," he said.