If you were online in early 2022, you couldn't escape her. Song Jia was everywhere. As the breakout star of Netflix’s Single’s Inferno, she didn’t just walk onto that beach; she owned it. She had this "ice princess" vibe that felt untouchable, yet every guy on the island was tripping over themselves to get her attention.
Then, it all came crashing down.
The fall was faster than the rise. One minute she's the face of luxury, the next she's getting "canceled" for wearing knockoff Chanel. It sounds trivial to Western audiences, but in the high-pressure world of Seoul’s social hierarchy, it was a nuclear event.
The Rise of the Freezia Phenomenon
Song Jia—known to her millions of followers as Freezia—wasn't just another reality contestant. Before she ever stepped foot on the Single's Inferno set, she was already a successful beauty YouTuber. She had about 500,000 subscribers and a reputation for being a "Young and Rich" icon.
On the show, her appeal was basically a masterclass in confidence.
She spoke in a cool, Busan dialect that felt grounded but looked like a living doll. When she told Kim Hyun-joong, "Come on, puppy," she didn't just win him over; she cemented herself as a cultural moment. Her Instagram followers skyrocketed from roughly 600,000 to over 3.7 million in weeks.
Everyone wanted to be her. Or at least, they wanted her wardrobe.
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That Fake Luxury Scandal Explained
The "Song Jia Single’s Inferno" legacy is now inseparable from the counterfeit controversy. In January 2022, hawk-eyed netizens started noticing things. A Chanel knit top she wore on the show had a slightly different shade and logo placement than the original. A Dior monogram tube top she sported didn't actually exist in Dior’s official catalog.
Then came the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace. The sizing was off.
Why did people care so much?
Honestly, it wasn't just about the clothes. It was the perceived betrayal.
In South Korea, wealth and status are often viewed as a reflection of hard work and "class." By wearing "fakes" while portraying a life of extreme luxury, critics argued she was selling a lie to young fans who looked up to her success.
The backlash was brutal.
- She posted a handwritten apology on Instagram.
- She deleted nearly all her posts and YouTube videos.
- She was edited out of major TV appearances like Knowing Bros and The Manager.
- Kim Hyun-joong, her "puppy" from the show, famously unfollowed her on Instagram almost immediately.
It was a total media blackout. She disappeared to her hometown in Busan, spent time volunteering at soup kitchens, and basically lived in exile for months.
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The Comeback: Where is Song Jia Now?
You can't keep a personality like that down forever. By mid-2022, she started trickling back onto social media. But the vibe was different.
Gone was the heavy focus on "flexing" unattainable wealth. She started posting more "girl-next-door" content—vlogs about her new apartment (which has a killer view of Namsan Tower), her dogs, and her interest in oil painting. It felt more human.
In May 2023, she made a major move by signing with Sublime, the same agency that houses heavy hitters like Jackson Wang and Tiffany Young. This was a signal to the industry: Song Jia is back, and she's professional. She even launched a new YouTube channel called "THE FREEZIA" to start fresh.
As of 2026, she has largely reclaimed her spot in the influencer stratosphere. She’s still a fashion icon, but she's much more careful now. You'll see her at Paris Fashion Week or doing legitimate brand deals with companies like Lancôme, but the "fake" tags are a thing of the past.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Fallout
People think the scandal "ruined" her, but looking at the numbers, she's still incredibly influential. She currently maintains millions of followers. The reality is that the Single's Inferno effect was so strong that even a massive scandal couldn't fully erase her.
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However, her relationship with the other cast members is... complicated.
While some fans hope for a "Class of Season 1" reunion, most of the original stars have moved on. There’s a noticeable distance. You don't see her hanging out with the other girls from the island. It’s a reminder that reality TV friendships are often just that—produced for reality TV.
Practical Takeaways from the Song Jia Saga
If you're following the world of K-entertainment or trying to build a brand, there are some real-world lessons here.
- Authenticity is the only currency that lasts. In the age of high-definition sleuthing, you can't fake a lifestyle for long.
- The "cancel" isn't always permanent. If you take actual accountability—like her hiatus and apology—there is a path back, even in the toughest markets like Korea.
- Rebranding requires a shift in tone. She didn't come back and do the exact same thing; she leaned into her "Pringies" (her fans) and showed a softer side.
If you want to keep up with her current journey, her Instagram @dear.zia is the best place to see how she’s navigated the transition from reality star to a more seasoned, cautious influencer. The era of the "Material Girl" might be over, but the era of Song Jia as a resilient business entity is just getting started.
Check out her latest vlogs on her new channel to see how her style has evolved from the island days to her current high-fashion professional life. It’s a fascinating look at how a public figure survives a "death-sentence" scandal and comes out the other side.