Reviews

Single’s Inferno 3 Review: Is Gwang Hee A Walking Red Flag?

Full of love, twists, and Gwang Hee.
By: Iffah Salleh / January 8, 2024

Are you keeping up with the sensational and heart-pounding dating reality show, ‘Single’s Inferno 3,’ which has become the talk of the town across all social media platforms? This season, the show’s producers have injected a fresh dose of excitement, creating a strong impact right from episode one. 

Among the contestants, one individual has truly stood out due to their controversial decisions, raising eyebrows and perhaps causing some discomfort for the women out there, leaving men with questions of their own.

As we eagerly await the season’s conclusion this week, let’s delve into a review of what has unfolded so far. Why? Because discussing other people’s drama might just make our own lives a bit more interesting.

A Strong Start

If you’ve been a devoted fan of ‘Single’s Inferno’ since season one, you’ll undoubtedly agree with me – season three kicks off with a bang! 

Unlike the previous two seasons, where the initial days were dedicated to getting acquainted or exploring the island, this season takes a bold approach.  As soon as the main cast is introduced, they are swiftly tasked with pairing up, hopping onto a helicopter (for successful matches), and embarking on a journey to paradise.

In keeping with the show’s tradition, all cast members are prohibited from divulging personal details such as their ages, occupations, or places of origin until they reach ‘paradise’. Only after arriving are they allowed to share such information.

Two Islands

Following a night of luxury in a lavish suite, complete with sumptuous food and heart-pounding scenes by the pool, the couples find themselves savouring a fancy lunch before their return to the island. 

As they relish their brief moment of opulence before heading back to the somewhat desolate island – perhaps an exaggeration, but you catch my drift – the production team delivers an unexpected announcement just after the meal concludes. 

To my surprise, it turns out that this season introduces a unique twist – there are now two islands! At the end of episode one, one person of each couple is designated to return to the island promptly, and, interestingly, they must go back with their respective partner from the opposite island. 

It’s an entirely new dynamic for the show, and I must applaud the production for introducing such suspenseful elements this season. The experience feels akin to walking through one door only to emerge from another, and it adds a captivating layer to the unfolding drama.

Diversity of the Cast and Characters

Diving into the topic of diversity on ‘Single’s Inferno 3’, it’s hard to overlook a noticeable trend: a significant age gap between the male and female contestants. The majority of the male cast members fall into the above-30 age bracket, while the female participants, on average, find themselves in their mid-20s, with many still pursuing their studies. 

While this isn’t inherently problematic, a bit more diversity in age could add an extra layer of intrigue. However, each cast member brings their unique character to the table, which is undeniably interesting.

For a detailed look at the cast, you can refer to the comprehensive coverage by NME here.

WTF Moment: The Love Triangle

These moments on ‘Single’s Inferno 3’ make me completely understand the saying “love is blind”, and it’s as solid as concrete because, honestly, there’s no way people would find these situations okay unless they are genuinely attracted to the physicality of the individuals involved.

An Min Young and Lee Jin Seok

The second character contributing to this bewildering dynamic: An Min Young.

In the initial paradise excursion, An Min Young, a pilates instructor, and Lee Jin Seok, founder and cafe owner, formed one of the standout couples. 

Their natural chemistry won the hearts of the panellists, with a particularly sweet scene of Min Young giving Jin Seok a piggyback hug in the pool when her feet couldn’t touch the pool floor. 

@flocys fav couple🫶 lanjut nonton full di #vidnow #leejinseok #anminyoung #singleinferno3 #koreandatingshow ♬ original sound – ㅤk

However, when they got separated due to Jin Seok being transported to the second island, the dynamics shifted. While Jin Seok still felt a strong attraction, Min Young categorised their intense chemistry as a ‘sibling bond,’ an unexpected twist. 

Fast forward to the merging of the two islands, a voting session using candies revealed a significant disparity – Min Young distributed candies to four different guys, while Jin Seok had eyes only for her, openly professing his love and kind of making other male contestants hesitant to approach her, according to Min Young.

I Can Cheat, But You Can’t

Up until this point, it seemed like a typical ‘Single’s Inferno’ storyline. However, the real “WTF” moment arrived with the entrance of a new contestant, Cho Min Ji, a charming budding anchor and college student. 

She expressed interest in Jin Seok, and suddenly, jealousy engulfed Min Young. The tables turned, and in a surprising move, Min Young revealed her discomfort with Jin Seok’s connection with Min Ji, sending a mixed message of ‘I can cheat, but you can’t.’ 

This sentiment became more evident when Min Young, upon returning from paradise, adopted possessive behaviours, particularly making others, especially the new entrant Min Ji, uncomfortable during group activities.

Min Young’s actions, from prying questions to uncomfortable confrontations during a group lunch, painted a questionable picture, resembling the role of a mistress rather than a participant seeking genuine connections. 

The audacity was palpable. Despite Jin Seok seemingly moving on to Min Ji, Min Young appears to be desperately attempting to win him back. The unfolding drama leaves us eagerly anticipating whether the original couple can stage a comeback in this tangled love triangle.

Lee Gwang Hee: Walking the Red Flag Path

Let’s talk about the man of the hour: Lee Gwang Hee, a professional basketball player and one-half of the couple that triumphantly earned a ticket to the paradise island in the first episode alongside college student Choi Hye Seon.

Gwang Hee’s journey on ‘Single’s Inferno 3’ is a vivid display of red flags and emotional insensitivity, leaving us to ponder whether the original couple can salvage any semblance of a healthy connection amidst this tumultuous season.

From the outset, Gwang Hee appears perplexing, akin to a leaf swaying in the wind. Initially, he seemed tolerable, but as episodes unfolded, the realisation set in – he’s a walking red flag.

Firstly, his self-centred approach stood out. His questions consistently revolved around himself, seeking answers that aligned with his desires. This ‘my way or the highway’ mentality screamed a red flag.

Yun Ha Jeong

During a particular paradise encounter with Yun Ha Jeong, Gwang Hee demonstrated a blatant lack of consideration. 

Despite Jeong’s amiable response to his sarcasm and harsh words, he insisted she sleep on a bench at the foot of the beds, displaying a mountain of ego. This act portrayed insensitivity and an unwillingness to compromise.

Candy Voting

@ctfeeling hes so icky #singlesinferno #singlesinferno3 #fyp ♬ Ick – Alt Ending – Lay Bankz

The candy voting session became the turning point. 

Gwang Hee’s disrespectful attitude surfaced when he casually dismissed three women by bluntly stating, “The three women are her, her, and her.” when being asked by one of the contestants whose mailbox he put the candy in. 

This blatant disregard for their feelings and the way he revelled in the attention showcased a concerning lack of empathy.

Min Ji

The climax of Gwang Hee’s red flag parade occurred during ‘The 26 Trio’ saga, involving Ha Jeong, Min Ji, and Hye Seon, all 26 years old. 

Despite expressing interest in Hye Seon, Gwang Hee chooses to go on one of the paradise trips he won during a game with Min Ji. 

The decision was fueled by jealousy, although it’s quite apparent to us that he harbours feelings for Hye Seon.Ironically, he seems to be the only one oblivious to this fact. 

Now, about Min Ji – a fragile and cute girl who was already smitten with him. That evening after returning to the island, they both won again to the paradise, where Gwang Hee had been picked by Hye Seon. 

While she, too, earned a trip to paradise, this time she chose Park Min Kyu, who has been hailed as the greenest flag of the season, especially among the ladies.

Helicopter Ride

During the helicopter ride, she sat beside Gwang Hee, poking him in jest and sharing cute smiles, much to the awkward observation of Min Kyu. 

Gwang Hee blatantly ignores her, prompting Min Ji to poke him again, only to be met with continued indifference. 

@ale_kshows PSDT: Min-kyu 💕 #singlesinferno3 #singlesinfernonetflix #cieloparados3 #cieloparadosnetflix #cieloparadostemporada3 #gwanheehyeseon #gwanheeminji #kshow #koreandatingshow #programadecitas #parati ♬ original sound – Ale

In what must have been a mortifying moment, Min Ji tries to hold back tears, but they flow like a waterfall. Gwang Hee, seemingly blind to her distress, does nothing. 

Cue Min Kyu, the green flag guy, who witnesses the scene and compassionately unbuttons the lower part of his shirt, offering it to Min Ji to wipe her tears.

Despite some questionable behaviours from Min Ji, such as flirting with Gwang Hee in front of Min Hyuk during the trip to paradise, it should be a space for genuine connections rather than ambiguous actions and she should keep her eye focused on the person she was going with.

Final Thoughts: Love is Blind?

Unlike previous seasons, the endgame remains elusive, and I find myself unable to predict which couples will ultimately form – a testament to the season’s unpredictability. 

This season is waving a lot of red flags, with many couples showcasing questionable behaviours. Yet, Gwang Hee stands out as the undisputed winner in this regard. The tension among the ladies is palpable, creating a dynamic contrast with the seemingly more relaxed atmosphere among the men.

What baffles me is when The 26 Trio, despite becoming aware of Gwang Hee’s behavior, surprisingly remains drawn to him. It’s an intriguing phenomenon – a collective forgiveness that leads them back to him. 

In conclusion, ‘Single’s Inferno 3’ has not only maintained its reputation for providing riveting romantic drama but has also introduced new layers of complexity and unpredictability. 

Gwang Hee, with his enigmatic behaviour, adds a layer of fascination to the season, making it one of the most intriguing chapters in the show so far. What are your thoughts on the matter?

Where Can You Watch Single’s Inferno 3

You can stream it on Netflix, and catch the final episode tomorrow!

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