Single’s Inferno 5’s Choi Mina-sue and Lee Sung-hoon Become Final Couple — Viewers Call It “The Victory of the Disguised Best Friend”

The slow-burn connection between Choi Mina-sue and Lee Sung-hoon ultimately paid off, as the pair chose each other as the final couple on Netflix’s Single’s Inferno 5, sparking a wave of emotional reactions from viewers.

A Bond Built on Comfort and Honesty

In the finale released on February 10, Mina-sue and Sung-hoon confirmed their feelings and walked out together, closing a journey defined less by dramatic romance and more by quiet consistency and emotional trust.

From the early days in Inferno, Sung-hoon and Mina-sue bonded quickly over a shared comfort with speaking English. As the show progressed, Sung-hoon became the person Mina-sue repeatedly turned to whenever she felt emotionally overwhelmed by her shifting connections with other contestants.

Whether it was doubts about her own attractiveness or frustration with her wavering feelings, Mina-sue consistently opened up to Sung-hoon. He responded with calm reassurance rather than pressure, offering steady emotional support that gradually set their relationship apart.

When Mina-sue confessed in Episode 6 that she felt “unattractive and unappealing,” Sung-hoon immediately countered, telling her, “You’re pretty. Don’t think useless thoughts.” When she blamed her own personality, he replied without hesitation, “Your personality is the best.” His repeated reminders “Don’t push yourself too hard” and “If you’re tired, it’s okay to rest” became defining moments of his presence.

From ‘Just Friends’ to Something More

Their dynamic eventually crossed a subtle but undeniable line. After Mina-sue remarked that romance alone wasn’t enough without emotional exchange, Sung-hoon gently challenged the idea that they were “just friends,” saying, “Other people probably don’t see us that way,” and later adding, “We’re not 100% friends, are we?”

By Episode 7, Sung-hoon openly acknowledged his feelings, telling Mina-sue he wanted to get to know her romantically. Rather than rushing her, he respected her uncertainty, responding to her wavering emotions with understanding rather than impatience.

Mina-sue’s own feelings gradually became more visible from sitting on Sung-hoon’s bed while he was away on a Paradise date to openly saying she wanted to go to Paradise with him. Her shift culminated in Episode 11, where the two won a game and shared a dinner date marked by shy glances and a noticeably softer atmosphere.

A Quiet Choice, A Loud Reaction

In the final episode, the pair ultimately chose each other, rewarding Sung-hoon’s unwavering presence and Mina-sue’s growing clarity.

Viewers quickly rallied behind the couple, dubbing their story “the victory of the disguised male best friend.” Online reactions praised Sung-hoon’s warmth and emotional intelligence, with comments noting that his kindness extended not only to Mina-sue but to other contestants as well. Others described their arc as “the textbook example of love that slowly seeps in,” resonating with audiences who saw their relationship as grounded, patient, and emotionally earned.

As Single’s Inferno 5 comes to a close, Mina-sue and Sung-hoon’s ending stands out as a reminder that sometimes, the quietest connection lasts the longest.