NetflixBetter Late Than Single is like Single’s Inferno but with contestants who have never dated before. In the new Netflix series, they are given a makeover – physical and mental – before being matched up in a variety of ways.
Sure, Love Island UK and USA have dominated the dating show chat over the past several weeks, but if you’re a fan of heartfelt interactions and watching shy singletons come out of their shell, this could be for you.
The premise is simple: the Better Late Than Single cast are all given expert fashion, style, and dating advice before being sent to the “eternal singles” resort. They take part in a series of activities and challenges that urge them to form connections, all in the hope of landing their first relationship.
With the series now streaming in its entirety on Netflix, here are all of the matches and dates, as well as the final couples.
Better Late Than Single matches & couples
First impressions
NetflixIn Episode 1, shortly after they first meet, the cast are made to vote in private who made the best first impression. Here’s who chose who:
- Kim Yeo-myung chooses Noh Jae-yun
- Lee Min-hong chooses Noh Jae-yun
- Park Ji-yeon chooses Noh Jae-yun
- Noh Jae-yun chooses Kang Ji-su
- Kang Hyun-kyu chooses Kang Ji-su
- Kim Seung-li chooses Kang Ji-su
- Kang Ji-su chooses Kim Sang-ho
- Kim Sang-ho choose Kim Yeo-myung
- Yi Do chooses Ha Jeong-mok
- Ha Jeong-mok chooses Yi Do
That’s right – despite getting three votes each, both Jae-yun and Ji-su didn’t vote for any of their matches. Yi Do and Jeong-mok are the only pair who choose each other. But since it’s only the start of Better Late Than Single, there’s plenty of time for their heads to be turned.
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Pick a drink
NetflixIn this challenge, as the contestants gather for breakfast, they each must pick a drink – coffee, tea, or orange juice. Whoever picks the same drinks out of the boys and girls are then matched to go on a date.
While there are only two teas and two orange juices, there are six coffees, meaning those who opt for the latter are sent on a triple date. The couples and dates include:
- Kang Ji-su and Kim Sang-ho, who go to a tangerine farm to make jam
- Yi Do and Kang Hyun-kyu, who go to a green tea cafe
- Kim Seung-li, Noh Jae-yun, Ha Jeong-mok & Lee Min-hong, Kim Yeo-myung, Park Ji-yeon, who go roller skating
The one-on-one dates aren’t quite as successful as the experts had hoped, as there seems to be some crossed wires when it comes to communication.
The three-on-three date isn’t much better in terms of securing matches: Jae-yun is interested in Yeo-myung, Yeo-myung is interested in Jeong-mok, and Jeong-mok is into Yi Do.
However, as the hosts point out, there’s plenty of time for matches to form.
Game changer 1
NetflixFollowing this round of dates, a new contestant is added to the mix: Lee Seung-chan. The 31-year-old is described as a “game changer” due to the fact that he’s had a 100-day relationship in the past, meaning he’s not technically an eternal single.
Since he’s a newcomer, he’s given the opportunity to pick two women to have one-on-one chats with. Seung-chan chooses:
- Kim Yeo-myung
- Yi Do
Random spot date 1
NetflixThe first round of random spot dates sees the women who are told to pick a random spot – by the swimming pool, the tent, on a rooftop, or in the caravan. A male contestant will then head to their spot for 15 minute dates. Here are the matches who end up going on dates:
- Kang Ji-su and Kim Sang-ho
- Lee Min-hong and Ha Jeong-mok & Noh Jae-yun
- Yi Do and Kim Seung-li
- Park Ji-yeon and Ha Jeong-mok
- Yi Do and Kim Seung-li
- Kang Ji-su and Kang Hyun-kyu
The first date seems like fate, as Ji-su and Sang-ho picked each other based on first impressions. However, their interaction is a little awkward as Sang-ho keeps putting his foot in his mouth.
Jeong-mok and Min-hong seem to be getting on better, but Yi Do is still Jeong-mok’s top choice. However, Yi Do is keen on Seung-li, who she gets to hang out with.
Although Ji-su is interested in Sang-ho, she has a second random spot date with Hyun-kyu and grows to like him as their conversation flows well.
The claw machine
NetflixIn this Better Late Than Single challenge, the contestants find a claw machine at their resort. Inside are stuffed toys with the men’s names on them. The women must play the machine to try and bag the name of the man they want to go on a date with.
It’s a first win, first choice situation, with the order of matches as follows:
- Kang Ji-su wins Kang Hyun-kyu
- Lee Min-hong wins Ha Jeong-mok
- Park Ji-yeon wins Noh Jae-yun
- Yi Do wins Kim Seung-li
- Kim Yeo-myung wins Lee Seung-chan
Thanks to the game changer, there are six boys but only five girls, meaning Sang-ho is left behind.
Ji-su and Hyun-kyu get on well on their date, with their conversations running smoother than her and Sang-ho’s. She’s still unsure about her feelings towards them both, though – right now, they’re neck-and-neck.
As for Yi Do and Seung-li, they do get on, but Seung-li is more interested in Ji-su. This is far from the only love triangle unfolding.
Although Min-hong likes Jeong-mok, he’s more interested in Yi Do. Similarly, Ji-yeon likes Jae-yun but the feelings aren’t reciprocated.
Game changer 2
NetflixDon’t feel too bad for Sang-ho. After catching up with some sleep, he gets to go on a date with a new game changer contestant: Kim Mi-ji, a 27-year-old Japanese teacher.
They both are interested in each other, but when Mi-ji gets to pick a one-on-one chat later on, she opts for Seung-chan.
Random spot date 2
NetflixThe following day, the men pick a random spot for dates. The matches we see play out in the Netflix series include:
- Noh Jae-yun and Lee Min-hong
- Ha Jeong-mok and Yi Do
- Kim Seung-li and Kang Ji-su
Now bonds are really starting to form between certain couples. Jeong-mok and Yi Do go from strength to strength, managing to bag not one but two random spot dates with each other.
Jae-yun and Min-hong aren’t romantically interested in each other, but their friendship continues to grow and they agree to give each other advice.
As for Ji-su, her date with Seung-li goes well, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Now she’s left wondering who’s her perfect match: Seung-li, Sang-ho, or Hyun-kyu.
Punching challenge
NetflixFollowing on from the claw challenge, this time the contestants wake up to find a punching machine in their garden. The men all take part in attempting to achieve the highest score, which will determine the order of who they get to pick to go on a date with.
These following are the resulting matches, in order of who came first:
- Kim Seung-li chooses Kang Ji-su
- Kang Hyun-kyu chooses Kim Yeo-myung
- Ha Jeong-mok chooses Yi Do
- Kim Sang-ho chooses Kim Mi-ji
- Noh Jae-yun chooses Park Ji-yeon
- Lee Seung-chan chooses Lee Min-hong
But there’s a twist: these are double dates. The girls get to choose which activity to take part in, and this determines which two couples get to go together. Here are the double date matches:
Ha Jeong-mok and Yi Do / Kang Hyun-kyu and Kim Yeo-myung
Noh Jae-yun and Park Ji-yeon / Lee Seung-chan and Lee Min-hong
Kim Seung-li and Kang Ji-su / Kim Sang-ho and Kim Mi-ji
While the dates go well, it’s touch and go for a moment when Seung-li and Sang-ho grow competitive and try to out-drink each other.
Secret date
NetflixThis one’s easy – the male contestants get to pick who they want to go on a secret date with. They’re only allowed one choice, and if any of the women aren’t picked, they simply head back home.
Here are the results:
- Kim Yeo-myung and Noh Jae-yun
- Park Ji-yeon doesn’t get picked
- Lee Min-hong doesn’t get picked
- Kang Ji-su and Kang Hyun-kyu
- Kang Ji-su and Kim Seung-li
- Kang Ji-su and Kim Sang-ho
- Yi Do and Ha Jeong-mok
- Kim Mi-ji doesn’t get picked
At this stage, Ji-su is confused by Sang-ho picking her as she had already told him that she was no longer interested, and he’d shown interest in Mi-ji.
But there are some strong couples forming, including Yeo-myung and Jae-yun. She grows to like him when he confesses his feelings towards her. Meanwhile, Yi Do and Jeong-mok are growing closer with each conversation they have.
Later that day, it’s the women’s turn to pick. Here are what those match ups look like:
- Park Ji-yeon and Ha Jeong-mok
- Lee Min-hong and Ha Jeong-mok
- Kim Yeo-myung and Ha Jeong-mok
- Yi Do and Ha Jeong-mok
- Kang Ji-su and Kim Seung-li
- Kim Sang-ho doesn’t get picked
- Kang Hyun-kyu doesn’t get picked
Healing night
NetflixAs the competition approaches its end, the contestants get to enjoy a pool party that is designed to heal their weary hearts. After the food and festivities, the suite is open, meaning couples can get some one-on-one time. They include:
- Kang Ji-su and Kang Hyun-kyu
- Kang Ji-su and Kim Seung-li
- Kim Yeo-myung and Noh Jae-yun
- Yi Do and Ha Jeong-mok
- Park Ji-yeon and Ha Jeong-mok
It’s safe to say, feelings are hurt after this round – especially Yi Do’s. After Jeong-mok reassured her, he changes his mind and tells her he likes Ji-yeon instead.
Overnight date
NetflixIt’s another date that does what it says on the tin. The Better Late Than Single cast members can choose one person to go on an overnight date with, opting to stay in a villa, a hanok, or to go glamping. Since it’s quite a big commitment, only one couple take part:
- Park Ji-yeon and Ha Jeong-mok
The pair grow increasingly close during their stay and even appear to share a kiss, which is not so common in Korean dating shows. The creators of the show later explained why they left this scene in, saying they wanted to show their interaction with honesty and authenticity.
Let it out date
NetflixOn the last day, the cast are given the option to pick a date with someone and lay all their cards on the table, whether that be admitting their feelings or seeking some clarity. This way, even those who don’t end up together can get the closure they need. The couples who go on the ‘Let it out date’ include:
- Kang Ji-su and Kang Hyun-kyu
- Lee Min-hong and Ha Jeong-mok
- Yi Do and Ha Jeong-mok
- Kang Ji-su and Kim Seung-li
Final couples
NetflixAll of this builds to the final selection, whereby contestants each get to choose one person they’d like to couple up with – or they forfeit their choice. The Better Late Than Single final couples include:
- Ha Jeong-mok and Park Ji-yeon
- Kim Seung-li and Kang Ji-su
You might be pleased to know that fan favorite Noh Jae-yun was able to build his confidence so much, he’s found someone on the outside world and they’ve been dating ever since.
Better Late Than Single is streaming on Netflix now. You can find out if any of the couples are still together, what we know about a potential Season 2, and the new series coming to streaming this month.