Single’s Inferno 4: Still Playing the Colorism Card?

Alright, let’s get real—Single’s Inferno 4 is serving us all the drama, spicy romance, and, unfortunately, controversy we’ve come to expect. While this Korean dating reality show keeps dominating Netflix’s global charts, there’s one messy topic that refuses to chill: colorism. And yup, it’s back in the spotlight this season.

Throwback to Inferno’s Colorism Drama

The colorism tea first spilled way back in season 2 with Park Se-jeong, a stunning contestant with a gorgeous tan. Fans were shook when she became the only female contestant to never get picked for “Paradise.” Like, how are you gonna ignore a queen like that? Contestant Choi Si-hun of season 1 made things worse by dropping lines about Shin Ji-yeon — another contestant from season 1 like, “Her skin is so white and pure,” and “I like light skin.”

Now, in Korean culture, comments like these might not raise eyebrows, but for global audiences, they screamed “yikes.” The backlash came fast, with international fans calling the remarks colorist—favoring lighter skin tones over darker ones. Here’s the context: Pale skin has been a beauty standard in Korea for centuries. Back in the day, it meant you weren’t out there sweating in the fields, making it a status symbol. But now that K-culture has gone global, this obsession with fair skin is getting some major side-eye.

Netflix even chimed in during a press event, with their VP of Korean content admitting, “We’re still learning and need to handle cultural sensitivities better.” Spoiler alert: It’s season 4, and we’re still waiting.

Bae Ji-yeon: The Colorism Magnet of Season 4

This season’s breakout star, Bae Ji-yeon, has “main character energy” written all over her. She’s a 26-year-old model and “space director” (fancy title, right?), and fans can’t stop raving about her resemblance to TWICE’s Sana. Even host Dex seemed smitten. But on the island? It’s like the male contestants forgot she exists.

In episode 1, she wasn’t paired with anyone. By episode 3, she became the first female contestant to spend a night solo in the Inferno. Ouch. Sure, Kim Tae-hwan showed interest later, but fans are worried she might end up like Park Se-jeong—single and snubbed despite being a total baddie.

And then there was that scene of Ji-yeon eating alone. Fans were not having it. One viral tweet called it out: “It’s not just bad taste; it’s colorism.” Others pointed out how lighter-skinned contestants always seem to get more attention, reigniting the debate about Korea’s old-school beauty standards.

Why Does This Keep Happening?

To break it down, Korea’s beauty standards are a whole different vibe. In historically homogenous societies like Korea, pale skin isn’t tied to racism but class and aesthetics. For centuries, it was a flex—if you were light-skinned, you probably weren’t out working under the sun.

But now, with K-culture reaching every corner of the world, these preferences are getting dragged under a global lens. Fans from diverse countries see this as a major problem, especially when contestants like Ji-yeon get sidelined while others fit neatly into the “pale and pure” box.

It’s worth noting that some of Korea’s most iconic idols have broken away from these rigid beauty standards and proudly embraced their natural skin tones. For instance, BLACKPINK’s Jennie stands out with her slightly darker complexion compared to her members and wears it with total confidence. Similarly, Hyolyn has been an advocate for loving her darker skin since her debut, becoming an inspiration for fans everywhere. Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, nicknamed “Black Pearl,” has never let criticism dim her pride in her healthy, tanned glow. These idols are proof that beauty comes in every shade and are paving the way for a more inclusive standard.

So, What’s the Move?

With Single’s Inferno 4 still airing, everyone’s watching to see if the show will address these issues or just keep serving the same old biases. Will Ji-yeon finally get her spotlight moment? Will Netflix step up and actually do something about the criticism?

One thing’s for sure: Fans are not letting this slide. From Twitter threads to Reddit rants, they’re making sure the convo stays alive. And honestly? It’s about time the Inferno team gets serious—not just about the love triangles but about creating a show that truly vibes with a global audience.