Choi Mina Sue, a contestant on Netflix’s dating reality show Single’s Inferno 5, is once again facing intense public backlash after a controversial moment from her past resurfaced online. As the show continues to draw attention, renewed scrutiny of her previous television appearances has reignited criticism and significantly worsened public perception of her character.

The controversy centers on a clip recently reshared by the Korean OTT platform Wavve. The footage comes from the 2022 Channel A reality program Penthouse: War of Tenants, in which Choi Mina Sue also appeared as a contestant. Although the incident itself is not new, its reemergence has sparked widespread outrage, especially among viewers who were previously unfamiliar with her past behavior.

In the resurfaced clip, Choi is shown refusing to eat any of the meals that were provided to the contestants during the show. She openly complained that none of the options suited her taste, despite the meals being prepared for everyone under the same conditions. Rather than compromising or accepting the shared arrangements, she chose to order an entirely separate dish for herself: a luxury bibimbap that reportedly cost ₩5 million KRW, equivalent to approximately $3,400 USD.

What made this decision particularly controversial was the source of the money. The cost of the meal was taken directly from the show’s shared prize fund, which belonged collectively to all the contestants. Penthouse: War of Tenants followed a survival-style format in which participants were allowed to spend from the prize money throughout the competition. However, whatever amount remained at the end would be awarded entirely to the final winner. Because of this structure, contestants reportedly agreed early on to limit their spending in order to preserve as much of the prize as possible, since no one could predict who would ultimately win.

Choi’s decision to spend such a large sum on a single meal went directly against this collective understanding. By doing so, she significantly reduced the potential prize money for everyone involved, including contestants who had been deliberately restraining their own spending out of consideration for the group. The incident reportedly caused noticeable tension among the participants and became a point of conflict within the show.

In a later interview, Choi attempted to explain her actions. She stated that her intention was not simply indulgence, but rather a strategy to grow closer to another contestant, Lim Hyun Seo. According to Choi, she believed that sharing a secret with someone was the fastest way to build intimacy. She claimed that she privately informed Lim about ordering the expensive bibimbap while pretending to refuse the provided meals in front of others, framing the act as a bonding moment rather than a selfish decision.

This explanation, however, did little to soften public reaction. Many viewers felt that her reasoning only reinforced the impression that she was manipulative and inconsiderate of others. Instead of taking responsibility for the impact of her actions on the group, critics argued that she appeared to justify them with personal motives that disregarded fairness and mutual respect.

The backlash was further fueled by comments made on the show by fellow contestant Seo Chul Gu. During Penthouse: War of Tenants, he openly expressed his discomfort with Choi, describing interactions with her as “stressful” and making it clear that he did not enjoy dealing with her. These remarks have since been revisited by netizens as evidence that her behavior was consistently problematic, not just an isolated incident.

Since the clip resurfaced, online criticism has grown increasingly harsh. Many netizens have labeled Choi Mina Sue a “real-life villain,” accusing her of acting as though the world revolves around her. Comments circulating online describe her as someone who makes others uncomfortable, lacks basic social awareness, and consistently prioritizes her own desires over group harmony. Some viewers have expressed disbelief at her actions, questioning how she could behave that way without considering the consequences for others.

As Single’s Inferno 5 continues to air, this controversy has added a new layer of negativity to Choi Mina Sue’s public image. For many viewers, the resurfaced footage has overshadowed her current appearance on the dating show, reinforcing a narrative of selfishness and social insensitivity. Whether this backlash will have lasting consequences for her career remains to be seen, but for now, public criticism shows no signs of slowing down.