![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and its played such a major role in who Ive become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something Im [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala (21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“Im not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
A subtle wind blows as Choi Hyeseon, a tall woman wearing a white linen dress, walks towards a campsite. She settles into her seat, glancing left. Her gaze meets a seated woman, Kim Gyuri.
“You’re so pretty,” Hyeseon tells Gyuri. With a slight eye smile and giggle, Gyuri turns her head, accepting Hyeson’s comment while showing no reciprocation. The two set the stage for the rather pretentious yet entertaining South Korean dating show, Single’s Inferno 3.
After its premiere in 2021, Single’s Inferno garnered popularity worldwide for its unconventional concept. Participants, stuck on an island, complete physically demanding missions such as races or wrestling matches to win a trip to “Paradise,” a luxury hotel room, with their intended love interest. There, they are allowed to share their age, occupation, go on swimming pool dates and more.
Single’s Inferno 3 debuted on Netflix on Dec. 12. and quickly attracted attention for its differences to past seasons. Unlike the previous two seasons, this season separated the cast into two separate islands, preventing certain contestants from meeting until the fourth episode.
The infernos’ living conditions this season also posed a harsher challenge to the contestants. Without a proper kitchen, the contestants often struggled with cooking and sometimes ate raw vegetables for dinner. Contestants also lived in metal shipping containers, a stark contrast to the spacious cabanas provided in previous seasons. These distinctions between season three and past seasons immersed Khanhlinh Tran (11), a follower of the show ever since its release, even more.
They took away people’s chances to go to paradise more often, so it was more of a timing situation, which made me more frustrated as a watcher
— Khanhlinh Tran (11)
“They took away people’s chances to go to paradise more often,” Khanhlinh said. “So it was more of a timing situation, which made me more frustrated as a watcher. Up until the end, it was an emotional ride.”
Season three excels in drama, surpassing the levels in the previous two seasons. Male contestant Lee Gwanhee especially garnered internet attention for his behavior, with viewers like Zoe Wang (9) finding him frustrating to watch.
“I hate Gwanhee,” Zoe said. “He kept on comparing the women and making them fight for him. He switched his opinion constantly and was just very toxic. He also wasn’t in the show to be a good boyfriend or find a girlfriend. He was more like, ‘Who’s gonna treat me the best?’, which was very self-centered.”
Despite joining last, female contestant Kim Minji stirred the pot. Initially interested in Kim Jinseok, she quickly fell head over heels for Gwanhee after knowing him for only two days. Many viewers criticized Minji’s attention-seeking attitude when she attempted to steal Gwanhee’s attention on the helicopter, disrespecting her own date, Kim Minkyu, as well as Gwanhee’s date, Hyeseon.
“At first, I thought Minji was fun because she was really funny,” said Khanhlinh. “But she would try to talk to [Gwanhee], not once but twice, while he’s on a date with another girl. I think that was really gross, especially since she had her own date too.”
Other contestants brightened the show and became fan favorites. Notably, Jinseok stole the hearts of many viewers for his thoughtful actions throughout the show.
“Jinseok is from Busan, and I was born and raised in Busan as well,” said upper school history teacher Jonathan Rim. “So I could see [our] similar culture with how he is pretty straightforward, has a good sense of humor and is loyal.”
There was some racism where Asian men were featured in the media as nerdy and weak, so to see these men represented as good looking guys is a really good step for Asian men
— upper school history teacher Jonathan Rim
A Korean American, Rim points out another interesting aspect of the series apart from the drama. Not only is it an exciting dating show, but it also serves as a platform for Asian men to break stereotypes ingrained in society by the media.
“When I was growing up, Asian and Korean women were considered sex symbols,” said Rim. “I like the fact that more Asian men are now being presented as handsome because I think in some part, there was some racism where Asian men were featured in the media as nerdy and weak, so to see these men represented as good looking guys is a really good step for Asian men.”
Whether you’re looking for frustrating drama, gorgeous and handsome dating contestants or both, Single’s Inferno 3 is the perfect fit. Full of absurd, attention-seeking flirting and conversations dripping with ignorance, you’ll end up binge-watching the other two seasons after this one.
