Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style At Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Coco Gauff's New Balances
    • Dyson
    • Postpartum Texts
    • Ayan Broomfield
    • Everyday Handbags
    1. Culture
    2. TV shows

    Are 'Single's Inferno' Season 5 Stars Mina Sue Choi and Samuel Lee Still Together?

    The former pageant star had a tumultuous time on the Netflix dating show—until she connected with the quant trader.

    Quinci LeGardye's avatar
    By Quinci LeGardye
    Published 11 February 2026 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    A split image of a woman in a yellow dress (Mina Sue Choi) and a man in a blue collared shirt (Samuel Lee a.k.a. Lee Sung-hun) in 'Single's Inferno' season 5.
    (Image credit: Netflix)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Spoilers for Single's Inferno season 5 finale ahead. The buzziest cast members on dating shows tend to be the most unpredictable; this year on Single's Inferno, no one kept viewers on their toes like Mina Sue Choi. The former Miss Earth became season 5's most divisive cast member for juggling her interest in nearly all the men on the show and her alleged "pick-me" attitude. As she went through the emotional rollercoaster of televised dating, one person was always by her side: Samuel Lee, a.k.a. Lee Sung-hun.

    After the pair bonded due to their shared affinity for English, fans began wondering whether they could get out of the friend zone. With all 12 episodes out now, read on for everything to know about Mina Sue and Samuel's time on Single's Inferno season 5, including whether they continued dating post-filming.

    What are Mina Sue Choi and Samuel Lee's ages and jobs?

    Like several other Single's Inferno alumni, Mina Sue Choi was already well-known before arriving on the series. The 26-year-old became the first South Korean winner of the Miss Earth pageant in 2022 and went on to appear in Korean TV shows like Battle for Tenancy: Penthouse and Law in the City. As of season 5's filming, she was a communications student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Meanwhile, season 5 marks Samuel Lee's (Korean name Lee Sung-hun) first time on Korean television. The 27-year-old Berkeley grad and former Google engineer currently works as a quantitative trader at an N.Y.C. hedge fund.

    Single's Inferno 5 Choi Mina Sue in Single's Inferno 5. © 2026 Netflix, Inc.

    Mina Sue Choi on Single's Inferno season 5.

    (Image credit: Netflix)

    What happened between Mina Sue Choi and Samuel Lee on 'Single's Inferno' season 5?

    Upon arriving on Inferno, Mina Sue quickly became season 5's main character. One of the men who showed immediate interest in her was Samuel; he couldn't wait until after their arrival ceremony to talk to her. The pair formed a quick friendship once they realized they were both more comfortable communicating in English. Still, Samuel made it clear early on that he was also romantically interested in her. At times, like during the photo shoot challenge in episode 4, Mina Sue said she was also attracted to him.

    You may like
    • A man and woman are seen from the back as they stand under a blue sky. The woman is making a square with her fingers, in the still from Netflix's 'Better Late Than Single' season 2. Meet the Season 2 Cast of 'Better Late Than Single,' the Sweet Summer Dating Show You Need to Watch
    • A Korean man and woman wear aprons while standing behind a bar in a restaurant kitchen, in Netflix's Korean reality show 'Better Late Than Single' season 2. 'Better Late Than Single' Will Reveal Where the Cast Is Now With a Reunion—Here's What to Know
    • the cast of the ultimatum season 4 cheers glasses with the hosts at the reunion Five Couples Left 'The Ultimatum' Season 4 Engaged—But Who's Still Together?

    However, Samuel had competition for Mina Sue's attention. During the show's early episodes, Mina Sue expressed interest in several of the men, including Samuel, model Lim Su-been, fashion marketer Song Seung-il, optician Woo Sung-min, and even (though briefly) handball coach Shin Hyeon-woo. Her fans have argued that playing the field is the entire point of a dating show, but Mina Sue has been steadily criticized for being indecisive and seemingly catty towards the other women.

    A woman (Mina Sue Choi) covers her face with a tissue while sitting next to a man (Samuel Lee) wearing a navy sweater. They sit behind a wooden table holding a tissue box, mug, silver bucket, and small straw baskets, in a still from 'Single's Inferno' season 5.

    Samuel comforts Mina Sue as she cries.

    (Image credit: Netflix)

    In the first seven episodes, as Mina Sue's connections with the other men (mostly Su-been) sent her into an emotional spiral, Samuel was there to comfort her. Still, neither of them completely closed off a possible romantic relationship. Things drastically changed for Mina Sue in episode 8, when she went to Paradise with Seung-il and spent the whole time being jealous of Su-been and his date, Park Hee-sun. Both Seung-il and his eventual pick, Kim Min-gee, gave Mina Sue a reality check about her unclear feelings. Soon after, Mina Sue apologized to Su-been for her behavior and told him that she was leaning towards Samuel.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    In a truly surprising twist, in episode 9, Hee-sun chose to go to Paradise with Samuel. They had a nice time on the date, discovering that they shared an IT background, as Mina Sue was left snooping around Samuel's bed in Inferno. At the start of episode 11, he told Mina Sue he missed her during the date and admitted he chose Mina Sue for every single Paradise date. She admitted that after exploring other connections, she had realized her feelings for him. Though it was too late for them to go to Paradise, they got to share a special meal date and then learned each other's jobs and ages during the final night on Inferno.

    When it's Mina Sue's turn for the finale ceremony, Samuel quickly stands up for her. "Be it Korea or America, I'll come and see you anywhere," he says. Mina Sue responds in English, "I think out of all the people here, you brought the version of myself that I liked the most. I can’t imagine leaving this place unless it's Sam."

    A woman in a green dress (Mina Sue Choi) and a man in a black shirt and white pants (Samuel Lee a.k.a. Lee Sung-hun) talk while sitting under a triangular tarp with wooden posts, decorated with rattan mats, candles in wire cages, and a blue-and-white blanket. A still from 'Single's Inferno' season 5.

    Mina Sue and Samuel share their feelings for each other.

    (Image credit: Netflix)

    Are Mina Sue Choi and Samuel Lee still together after 'Single's Inferno' season 5?

    Neither Mina Sue nor Samuel has spoken publicly about their relationship status since the season 5 finale, but fans believe that the pair remained on good terms after the show's airing. According to Mina Sue's Instagram, she visited N.Y.C. last fall, where she could have hung out with Samuel. Of course, we won't know whether the pair are just friends or something more until we hear it from their mouths.

    Explore More
    Netflix Reality TV Korean Entertainment
    Quinci LeGardye
    Quinci LeGardye
    Social Links Navigation
    Culture Writer

    Quinci LeGardye is a Culture Writer at Marie Claire. She currently lives in her hometown of Los Angeles after periods living in NYC and Albuquerque, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. In 2021, she joined Marie Claire as a contributor, becoming a full-time writer for the brand in 2024. She contributes day-to-day-content covering television, movies, books, and pop culture in general. She has also written features, profiles, recaps, personal essays, and cultural criticism for outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Catapult, and others. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her watching the latest K-drama, or giving a concert performance in her car.

    Read more
    A man and woman are seen from the back as they stand under a blue sky. The woman is making a square with her fingers, in the still from Netflix's 'Better Late Than Single' season 2.
    TV shows Meet the Season 2 Cast of 'Better Late Than Single,' the Sweet Summer Dating Show You Need to Watch This Netflix Korean reality show is actually so heartwarming.
    By Quinci LeGardye
    melanie wears a blue cover up and bikini and sincere wears swim trunks as they pose together by a pool in love island usa season 8
    TV shows Melanie Shut Down Speculation About Her and Sincere's Relationship After the 'Love Island USA' Reunion The third-place winner was more upfront on TikTok about where she stands.
    By Radhika Menon
     
     
    A man in a navy dress shit and pants (Harry Jowsey) and a woman in a strapless blue cutout gown (Amber Mozo) argue while sitting on a white couch, in the 'Let's Marry Harry' reunion.
    TV shows Amber Mozo Claims Harry Jowsey Got a New Girlfriend Right After Their Short-Lived Nupitals The symbolic spouses revealed their break-up during the Netflix show's contentious reunion.
    By Radhika Menon
    harry jowsey wears a tan suit and places his hand over his chest as he greets a group of women on netflix's let's marry harry
    TV shows Your Guide to the 20 Women Competing for Harry Jowsey's Heart on 'Let's Marry Harry' Will one be able to turn the notorious Netflix dating-show player into a devoted husband?
    By Quinci LeGardye
     
     
    Latest in TV shows
    Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart, winners of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for "Hacks", pose in the press room during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
    TV shows The 2026 Emmys Are Almost Here—Here's What to Know About TV's Biggest Night, From How to Watch to the Nominees
    A woman in a fur-lined coat (Lola Petticrew as Catherine) sits on a kid's playground slide as another woman (Emmy Rossum as Alice) stands next to her, in Hulu's 'Furious.'
    TV shows Emmy Rossum Says That Alice Will Be "On to the Next Mission" in 'Furious' Season 2
     
     
    Harry Jowsey wears a tuxedo shirt while speaking with a woman in a wedding veil, in a still from the 'Let's Marry Harry' finale.
    TV shows We No Longer Think Marriage Is a "Prize." Why Do Netflix Dating Shows?
    A group of friends (l-r Lucy Freyer as Billie, Owen Thiele as Anton, Amita Rao as Issa, Jack Innanen as Paul Baker, Malik Elassal as Samir) cuddle together on a living room couch, in the FX series 'Adults.'
    TV shows The 'Adults' Cast Is Just as Close as Their On-Screen Friend Group
     
     
    Latest in News
    Queen Elizabeth wears a lilac coat and matching hat with a green feather and drops a bouquet given to her by a royal fan in 2010 at Eton
    Royals Fan's Gift Caused Queen Elizabeth to Make a Rare Faux Pas
    Alexandra Leclerc wearing a red Ferrari dress, she has long brown hair and is pregnant while wearing sunglasses
    Celebrity Style Alexandra Leclerc's Italian Grand Prix Dress Is Red Hot
     
     
    Meghan Markle wears a white dress with a matching hat, while Prince Harry and King Charles wears suits and top hats at Royal Ascot in 2018
    Royals Charles Reveals His Position on Harry and Meghan's Return
    Lili Reinhart pays tribute to Kate Hudson's yellow dress in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days while promoting The Love Hypothesis, she is a woman with blonde hair
    Celebrity Style Lili Reinhart Recreates Rom-Com History in Kate Hudson's Gown
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.