Netflix’s “Better Late Than Single” secrets: 10 wild behind-the-scenes moments that never made it to air

One of Netflix‘s hottest reality shows right now is Better Late Than Single. Unlike dating shows such as Single’s Inferno and EXchange, it brings together people who have never dated before as they embark on their first-ever romances. The cast and their interactions have kept viewers talking, and since the finale arrived, interest in the behind-the-scenes stories and where the cast is now has only continued to grow. The show’s three producers, Cho Wook-hyung, Kim No-eun, and Won Seung-jae, recently spoke with several Korean media outlets. Here, POPBEE rounds up 9 fun behind-the-scenes details that never made it to air.

• Related reading: Netflix’s Better Late Than Single comes to an end: 20 soul-stirring quotes about love that gave us a much-needed lesson in dating

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 1. The producers had been single their whole lives, too

It wasn’t just the cast. In interviews, the three producers shared that they, too, had spent a long time never having dated. While filming, they often found themselves thinking of their younger selves, perhaps helping the show strike such a chord with viewers.

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 2. The first question on the application

The team behind Better Late Than Single spent considerable time interviewing and screening prospective cast members, each with their own distinct personality and perspective. According to the producers, the first question on the application – “Why do you think you’ve never dated?” – was key. The honesty of that response, along with a candidate’s genuine desire to find a partner, mattered far more than their appearance.

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 3. Every cast member signed a “truth contract”

In addition to interviews and appearance makeovers, the production team had every participant sign a contract to confirm they had truly never dated. Before filming began, the cast also went on mock blind dates, giving the team a sense of their personalities and how they interacted as connections began to form.

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 4. Fan favorite Kang Ji-su

Many viewers were drawn to Kang Ji-su from the moment they saw her. The producers admitted that when they first met her, they wondered, “Will people relate to someone this beautiful who has never dated?” As Ji-su shared her emotional wounds and past experiences, they came to see that their initial reaction was rooted in assumptions about appearance. Her story ultimately resonated with many women.

• Related reading: Jae-yoon finds love! The production team explains Ji-yeon and Jeong-mok’s kiss in Better Late Than Single

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 5. A hair and makeup team every day

Each morning, the production team brought in professional hair and makeup artists to get every participant ready. After a full day of filming and activities, their hair and makeup could naturally look a little different – and a little messier – by evening.

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 6. Did they almost end up with no couples at all?

Early in the show, viewers could probably understand why the cast members had never dated. The production team interspersed footage from their pre-makeover interviews and intentionally kept scenes from their first days living together, when everyone headed to bed by 10 or 11 p.m. On their ice-skating date, the men and women barely exchanged a word. The team quickly came up with more evening activities as a result.

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 7. Why did Seung-chan and Mi-ji join later?

Fans often joked that Lee Seung-chan and Kim Mi-ji had such little presence that they seemed like members of the crew. The original idea was for the two to enter at different times and bring new energy to the group, though it didn’t work out as hoped. The producers later said, “We overlooked how challenging this arrangement would be for people who had never dated. It was difficult for them to enter relationships that had already begun to develop, let alone change the situation. We feel sorry and saddened by that.”

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 8. The incident of Jae-yoon hiding in the bushes

It was late that night and very windy. Although the cast were all wearing microphones, the production team watching from the set thought Jae-yoon had simply fallen down while drunk. Yeo-myeong and Ji-yeon were actually some distance away from Jae-yoon, and because of the terrain and their angle of view, they genuinely didn’t notice her.

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 9. What happened next for mukbang star Sang-ho?

Sang-ho won over plenty of fans simply by being himself, whether he was making instant noodles alone, tucking into a feast after a failed date, or eating popcorn at the movie theater. Every cast member underwent a six-week makeover before joining the show, including Sang-ho, whose weight changed the most. Most of the cast lost weight on their own, though Sang-ho’s transformation was overseen by the production team. Naturally, they were curious whether he had maintained his figure after filming, though Sang-ho has refused to tell them.

Better Late Than Single Behind the Scenes 10. Were cast members banned from social media?

For many fans, the first thing they did after watching the show was search for the cast members’ Instagram accounts. As you may have noticed, though, each account is either private or hard to find. The production team said there was no ban, though a writer on the team was responsible for supporting the cast’s mental health: “We reminded them that Netflix has a huge reach, and that they might receive a lot of malicious messages. If it becomes too much, they can take a break from social media.” The writer also stays in touch with the cast and, with their consent, shares updates for curious viewers.

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