The cast of Better Late Than Single season 1
Courtesy of Netflix
In case you missed it, earlier this summer, Netflix premiered what might just be its cutest dating show ever: Better Late Than Single. Produced by Kakao Entertainment, Better Late Than Single convenes 12 Korean singles in their 20s and 30s who’ve never been in a romantic relationship and challenges them to find love over the course of eight days. The resulting interactions are often so embarrassingly awkward that the unscripted series sometimes comes across more as a quirky comedy than a conventional dating show. But in today’s fast-paced, digital-first society where many young people feel increasingly isolated and struggle to connect with others, Better Late Than Single is probably one of the most relevant and realistic dating shows out there.
It’s also one of the most wholesome reality shows you’ll ever see, with celebrity commentators throwing in quips that make many of the cringey moments hilariously entertaining.
So if you’re looking for a show to help you escape the bleak news cycle or still trying to get over that awkward date you recently went on, Better Late Than Single might provide the distraction you need—along with some helpful tips on how to navigate dating and human relationships.
Here’s what to know about Better Late Than Single before diving in.
What Is Better Late Than Single About?
Better Late Than Single follows a group of everyday Korean singles who, for one reason or another, have never had a romantic relationship. Some of them have grown up in environments where meeting people of the opposite sex was difficult, while others simply chalk it up to their own individual personality and quirks. Still others admit they’re not quite sure how they ended up in their current situation.
The show’s Korean title 모태솔로지만 연애는 하고 싶어 (“motae-solo-jiman yeon-eh-neun ha-go shi-puh,” which translates to “I’ve been single since birth, but I still want to date”) contains the slang term 모태솔로 (motae-solo)—a portmanteau of the Korean word for “mother’s womb” (모태) and the loanword “solo” (솔로), which Koreans often use to refer to someone who is single. Motae-solos have become rather common in Korea, where roughly 35% of men in their 20s and 22% of women in their 20s say they’ve never dated. A recent survey found that over half of single adults in their 20s and 30s in Korea have never been in a romantic relationship.
The cast of Better Late Than Single meet each other for the first time.
Courtesy of Netflix
The first episode provides a glimpse into the show’s casting process and the radical makeovers that some of the selected participants undergo over a six-week period. They also receive tips on how to improve their weaknesses from their celebrity “mentors,” psychologists and other experts. Glammed up and primed for love, these hopeful singles all meet at a picturesque resort on South Korea’s Jeju Island (a popular setting for many recent Korean shows), where they attempt to find that special someone through group activities and dates that often go awry.
Who Is In The Cast Of Better Late Than Single?
Warning: Some spoilers ahead!
The cast features five men and five women at the outset, though the number later expands to include six men and six women. Many of them—though definitely not all—seem quite shy and introverted, especially in their initial group encounters. There’s the 3D artist and anime nerd Noh Jae-yun, who struggles with making conversation and eye contact despite his good looks. Then there’s Ha Jeong-mok, a college engineering student who has a habit of borrowing his twin brother’s clothes and decided to appear on the program after his brother started dating and spending less time with him. Marketer and soccer aficionado Kim Seung-li exudes an alpha male vibe and can speak four languages thanks to living in Brazil for 12 years, but his experiences of being bullied there and his conservative views on romance seem to have kept him single.
Seung-li, Ji-su, Sang-ho and Mi-ji visit a makgeolli brewery in Better Late Than Single.
Courtesy of Netflix
There’s also the somewhat clueless but adorable Kim Sang-ho, a defense researcher who reveals he hasn’t had many opportunities to meet women because he attended an all-boys high school and majored in engineering before serving in the military. Medical student Kang Hyun-kyu admits his studies have kept him too busy to do much else. At 31 years old, surgeon Lee Seung-chan is the oldest cast member and also the most experienced in dating, having been in a relationship for about 100 days.
Among the women participants, there are Kim Yeo-myung, a college student studying business administration who decided to audition for the program after her single friends began dating; Lee Min-hong, a fashion marketer with a straightforward demeanor and a no-nonsense approach to dating (who also happens to dole out words of wisdom to her castmates); Park Ji-yeon, a music producer whose trauma of growing up with an abusive father has impacted her view of men; Yi Do, a pink-haired geography and social studies instructor who also attends Seoul National University (Korea’s most prestigious university); Kim Mi-ji, a high school Japanese teacher who is a late addition to the show; and Kang Ji-su, a ballet teacher whose soft, feminine looks win her many suitors on the show but unfortunately have also caused her to become a stalking victim in the past.
Ha Jeong-mok and Yi Do in Better Late Than Single
Courtesy of Netflix
Who Are The Celebrity Commentators In Better Late Than Single?
Four Korean celebrity panelists provide commentary throughout the show: actor and singer-songwriter Seo In-guk, actress Kang Hanna, comedian Lee Eun-ji and indie singer-songwriter Car, the garden. And thank goodness for their remarks and interjections, because otherwise some of the long pauses and dating mishaps would feel too awkward and cringey.
But not only are these celebs there to offer some much-needed comic relief, they also act as relationship coaches and mentors (they’re also referred to as “cupids” in the show) to the participants, with each celebrity coach taking on three “mentees.” In some cases, they’re even directly involved in the physical makeovers of their mentees.
Car, the garden, in particular, is outright hilarious—the show is probably worth watching for his comments alone—but each celebrity panelist sprinkles in some great tips on dating and socializing that everyone can apply to their own lives.
Better Late Than Single’s celebrity panelists Lee Eun-ji, Seo In-guk, Kang Han-na and Car, the garden
Courtesy of Netflix
How Many Episodes Does Better Late Than Single Have?
Better Late Than Single contains 10 episodes, with each episode ranging from roughly 70 to 90 minutes long.
Is Better Late Than Single Worth Watching?
If you’re tired of reality dating shows that feature scantily clad and horny singles and instead want to watch an unconventional (albeit arguably more realistic) one where average people engage in wholesome—if at times socially inept—interactions, you’ll probably find Better Late Than Single to be a refreshing choice. Just be prepared to sit through some awkward silences, head-scratching moments and lots of unrequited attraction (just like in real-life dating!).
Group activities like roller skating and eating together often inadvertently end up being separated by gender and can be a bit painful to watch, but the show becomes more enjoyable as participants increasingly engage with each other in one-on-one settings. Though many of them fail at flirting, and dates often turn into disasters, that’s all part of the fun.
Participants struggle to skate around the roller rink in Better Late Than Single.
Courtesy of Netflix
Will There Be A Season 2 of Better Late Than Single?
Better Late Than Single has been renewed for a second season and is slated to premiere on Netflix sometime in 2026. The show is currently accepting applications for hopeful singles to appear in season 2. For more details on the casting call, see Netflix Korea’s Instagram post.
All 10 episodes of Better Late Than Single season 1 are currently available on Netflix.