While Better Late Than Single has proven a success in the dating show world, one complaint has emerged following the finale – and now, the creators of the Netflix series have addressed what really went down.
The premise is simple: a group of singletons head to a resort where they take part in challenges, go on dates, and get to know each other in the bid to find love. But unlike other reality shows like Single’s Inferno, the cast have never had a romantic relationship.
The new Netflix series sparked plenty of conversation, whether it was Park Ji-yeon and Ha Jeong-mok’s intimate one-night, two-day date, or fan fave Noh Jae-yun coming out of his shell throughout the process.
One complaint that emerged was that “game changers” Lee Seung-chan Kim Mi-ji – two newcomers who joined the Better Late Than Single cast a couple of days in – didn’t get enough screentime.
Better Late Than Single creators admit “game changers” mistake
This was addressed by the show’s creators, Won Seung-jae, Kim Noh-eun, and Cho Wook-hyung, who admitted that introducing new contestants was a misstep.
For the uninitiated, Seung-chan and Mi-ji entered the resort shortly after the main cast did, and ultimately we barely learned anything about them. Both ended up forfeiting their choices during the final selection, having not built a solid connection with anyone else.
Following the Better Late Than Single finale, one viewer wrote, “I wish we had more of what was going on with him (Kim Sang-ho) and Mi-ji. Seung-chan literally disappeared.”
Another asked, “Does anyone know why post-production betrayed Seung-chan and Mi-ji and completely cut out their whole storyline?” To which a third replied, “I wish we knew… They should have gotten some screen time in each episode past one second.”
In a conversation with Korea JoongAng Daily, producer Seung-jae explained what happened, saying, “We honestly didn’t expect a one or two-day gap to make such a difference, because we didn’t fully grasp what it’s like to be someone who’s never dated.
“But when we actually got there, we realized how shy and easily embarrassed they were – way more than we’d thought – and that little time difference ended up having a huge impact.”
If a Season 2 gets the go-ahead, no doubt they’ll be keeping this in mind and making a few changes.
Creators address backlash from Netflix viewers
Elsewhere, the producers defended the scene in which Ji-yeon and Jeong-mok seemingly kissed under the covers in bed, which some viewers felt was too racy, especially as it happened so soon after Jeong-mok and Yi Do formed a connection.
Noh-eun said, “We never really saw anything strange about that scene. But I can understand how, in terms of intensity or pacing, some viewers might have felt it was a bit sudden.
“At the same time, we felt it was something that could only be shown because the cast members had never been in a relationship. That moment was important for building emotional context later on, so for us, it was simply part of a very natural narrative.”
But that’s not all, as they also responded to allegations that certain moments were curated, such as the truth or dare game questions.
“Some comments were saying it looked like the production team stepped in or gave tailored questions, but that really wasn’t true at all,” said Wook-hyung.
“We shuffled the cards completely and handed them out randomly, and the person asking just drew one without knowing what it would be. It was actually kind of amazing how the questions somehow matched the moment. Even we were surprised.”
Most importantly, the creators echoed what many fans have said since Better Late Than Single wrapped up: to stop criticizing the cast so heavily.
“I believe that both the good moments and the awkward ones are things we’ve all experienced at some point,” Seung-jae explained.
“So I hope people can hold back from harsh criticism and instead think of those moments as reminders of their own past selves and support them.”
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