Let’s be real for a second. When we all sat down to watch a group of incredibly attractive Koreans sweat it out on a deserted island back in late 2021, nobody expected the Single's Inferno 1 cast to become the global blueprint for reality TV fame. It was messy. It was aesthetic. It was, frankly, a cultural reset for Netflix.
But the cameras stopped rolling years ago. The tan lines faded. The "Paradise" hotel bills were settled.
So, what’s the actual deal with them now in 2026? Most fans still wonder if those beachside promises meant anything once they hit the mainland. Spoiler: most didn’t. But the career trajectories? Those are actually wilder than the show itself.
The Song Ji-a Comeback Nobody Predicted
If you followed the show, you know Song Ji-a (FreeZia) was the undisputed queen of the island. She had three guys basically tripping over themselves to get her a glass of water. Then came the "fake luxury" scandal that felt like it was going to end her career before it even started. Honestly, the internet can be brutal.
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But fast forward to now, and she’s basically the phoenix of K-beauty. After a long hiatus and some very humble apologies, she transitioned from just being a "YouTuber" to a high-fashion mainstay. She isn’t just wearing the clothes now; she’s front-row at Paris Fashion Week. Her Instagram is back to millions of followers, but there's a noticeable shift. It’s less "look at my logo" and more "look at my editorial craft." She and Kim Hyeon-joong? Yeah, that’s ancient history. They aren't together. They aren't even really "spotted" together. It was a summer fling that stayed on the beach.
From Paradise to Wedding Bells: Choi Si-hun
This is probably the biggest update of the bunch. Remember Choi Si-hun? The guy who looked like he stepped out of a K-drama and was head-over-heels for Ji-a?
Well, he found his real-life female lead, and it wasn’t on an island. In a move that shocked the K-pop world, he got engaged to the legendary singer Ailee. They’ve been quite open about their relationship lately, even addressing some pretty annoying rumors. People kept saying he was "jobless" or just living off her fame—which is kinda gross—but he actually works hard in the fashion industry and runs his own brand. Seeing him go from the "rejected guy" on a dating show to marrying one of Korea’s biggest vocal powerhouses is the kind of glow-up we love to see.
The "Hell Island" Business Moguls
While some went for the influencer route, others used that Netflix check to build literal empires.
- Moon Se-hoon: The man who would not give up on Shin Ji-yeon. They did leave the island together, and for a while, it looked like they might actually make it. They don't seem to be a couple anymore, but Se-hoon is doing just fine. His restaurant, Onlygo in Sinsa-dong, is still a massive hotspot. If you want a table there in 2026, you better book weeks in advance. He’s expanded his F&B footprint significantly since the show aired.
- Kang So-yeon: Probably the most "productive" member of the Single's Inferno 1 cast. She didn't just stop at fitness modeling. She appeared on Physical: 100, released music, and continues to run her boxing gym, HitFit. She’s essentially the face of the "healthy beauty" movement in Korea, breaking the mold of the super-slim idol look.
- Oh Jin-taek: Still the best-dressed man in Seoul. His tailor shop, Ascottage, benefited immensely from the "British Gentleman" vibe he brought to the show. He’s still modeling, still looking sharp, and still very much a fixture in the luxury fashion scene.
Did any of the couples actually last?
Honestly? No.
It’s the hard truth of reality TV. Kim Jun-sik and An Yea-won? They stayed friends but the romantic spark fizzled almost immediately after the cameras left. Yea-won is still killing it as a fitness model and YouTuber, while Jun-sik focuses on his health food brand, Kamee.
The distance between "Paradise" and real life is just too wide. In Paradise, you have a private pool and a chef. In Seoul, you have traffic, work schedules, and a million people watching your every move on Instagram.
Why Season 1 Still Hits Different
Even with four more seasons having aired since then—and Season 5 literally about to drop—there’s a reason we still talk about the original crew. They were the ones who didn't know what they were getting into. There was a certain rawness to Se-hoon’s stubbornness or Ji-a’s nonchalance that felt new.
Now, everyone goes on the show with a 12-month marketing plan. The Single's Inferno 1 cast felt like a group of people actually stuck on an island, for better or worse.
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What you can do next
If you're looking to catch up with them individually, your best bet isn't Netflix—it's YouTube. Most of the cast members, specifically Kang So-yeon and Song Ji-a, have moved toward long-form vlogging.
- Check out Kang So-yeon’s channel if you want actual athletic inspiration; she’s been documenting her training for various sports leagues.
- Follow Moon Se-hoon’s Instagram if you’re planning a trip to Seoul; he often posts updates about his new restaurant locations and menu refreshes.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 K-drama casting news, as several of the "background" members of Season 1 have been quietly taking acting lessons and appearing in minor web series roles.
The "Inferno" might be over, but for this cast, the heat hasn't really died down. They've just moved it from a beach in Incheon to the boardrooms and photo studios of Seoul.