KickFlip's Gyehun Leaves Single's Inferno 5 Star Kim Min-ji Speechless With His Effortless Charm

KickFlip's Gyehun (이계훈) has earned a new fan — and possibly a new admirer. On the March 26 episode of tvN's new music variety show Wonderful Thursday (놀라운 목요일), the 21-year-old JYP Entertainment idol turned what started as a comedic game into a full-on charm offensive, leaving Kim Min-ji, one of the most popular contestants from Netflix's Single's Inferno 5, visibly flustered.

Gyehun, who has long been known in fan communities as a natural flirt, kept his cool — and Kim Min-ji clearly had no idea what was coming.

When a Reality Star Meets a Scene-Stealer

Kim Min-ji first captured public attention in January 2026 when Single's Inferno Season 5 premiered on Netflix. The 29-year-old track and field athlete from Changwon University — widely nicknamed the "Karina of Athletics" for her striking resemblance to aespa's Karina — became the most sought-after cast member of the season, receiving the most Paradise date invitations and topping the "most attractive" fan vote from episode one.

Despite the intense romantic competition inside the villa, Kim Min-ji ultimately formed the final couple with fellow contestant Song Seung-il. Since the show ended, her social media following has more than doubled, surpassing one million — a remarkable jump from roughly 450,000 before filming.

It was her magnetic screen presence that made Thursday's episode all the more entertaining. When Gyehun turned his full attention toward her, the studio absolutely felt it.

Eight Years Between Them — Zero Awkwardness

On Wonderful Thursday's second episode, two teams competed in a karaoke-style challenge called "Do-Re-Mi Song Room" for a coveted plate of jjagyachi (짜계치) — a crowd-favorite Korean snack combo of black bean noodles with eggs and fried chicken. Gyehun and his KickFlip groupmate Keiju (케이주) joined the "Jeong-gane" team led by comedian Jeong I-rang.

Born in 2004, Gyehun is eight years younger than Kim Min-ji. That gap didn't slow him down at all. When the game's script called for playful interaction, he leaned into it — and then some. Kim Min-ji, seated across the studio, reportedly could not hide her reaction. According to Korean entertainment coverage, she was "surprised and unable to conceal her fluttering emotions."

Even Yewon (예원), another regular panelist on the show, was swept up in the moment. When Gyehun delivered a playful acrostic poem confession directed at her during the broadcast, she immediately covered her mouth in disbelief before handing over her buzzer points — essentially admitting defeat to his charm.

KickFlip: JYP's Newest Generation

For viewers outside South Korea, KickFlip may still be a discovery. The seven-member boy group debuted on January 20, 2025 under JYP Entertainment, releasing their first mini album Flip It, Kick It! Their leader Gyehun is no stranger to the spotlight — he won first place at the JYP public audition in 2016 and spent nearly nine years as a trainee before debuting, making his perseverance as much a part of his story as his talent.

The group's name draws from a classic skateboarding trick, reflecting their stated mission to "break convention with bold, fearless performance." In early 2026, they held their first fan concert in Seoul, and their fourth extended play, My First Kick, is scheduled for release on April 6, 2026.

Gyehun's reputation as a natural flirt is well-documented among fans — but seeing it play out opposite someone as poised as Kim Min-ji gave the moment an extra layer of entertainment value. She is not someone who rattles easily. That she did says a lot about the 21-year-old's presence.

"Minaaya, Saranghae": Kim Min-ji Clears Up a Rumor, Too

Thursday's episode also gave Kim Min-ji a chance to address a lingering question from her time on Single's Inferno 5. During a trivia segment, the show floated the suggestion that she and co-star Choi Mi-na-su had a falling-out after the cameras stopped rolling. Kim Min-ji's response was immediate and firm.

"Minaaya, saranghae," she said — "Mina, I love you" — followed by a direct denial: "We get along just fine." The crowd's laughter broke the tension, and the moment was warmly received online, with fans noting that her loyalty to her former co-star was as refreshing as her composure on camera.

Why This Moment Hit So Hard

Wonderful Thursday premiered on March 19, 2026 as a spinoff of tvN's beloved Wonderful Saturday franchise. Hosted by comedian Boom, actor Lee Yong-jin, actress Jeong I-rang, BTOB's Seo Eun-gwang, and Cho Jazzz, the show pits celebrity teams against each other in karaoke-based missions — a format designed less around virtuosic singing and more around charisma and quick thinking.

What made this particular episode resonate beyond the usual variety show buzz is the pairing of two very different kinds of fame: Gyehun's idol-world polish versus Kim Min-ji's reality-show relatability. Both know how to work a camera. Watching them share a stage — with Gyehun clearly enjoying himself a little too much — made for the kind of spontaneous, unscripted moment that keeps fans coming back.

Social media reactions in Korea highlighted the moment as one of the week's most shareable clips, with many fans expressing that Gyehun's bold energy was, to use the going term online, egenseu (에겐스러운) — charismatic in a way that's hard to look away from.

What's Next for Both

For KickFlip, April's My First Kick EP represents a major moment. It will be their most substantial project yet, following up on the buzz from their January debut and the pre-release single Twenty. A group that has built its identity around stage presence and personality will now be tested on whether that translates to lasting musical impact.

Kim Min-ji's schedule post-Single's Inferno 5 has been busier than ever. Between brand partnerships, additional variety appearances, and her continued athletic career, she has capitalized on her newfound platform with focus. If Thursday's episode is any indication, she'll continue doing exactly what she does best — keeping her composure until someone like Gyehun makes that nearly impossible.

Wonderful Thursday airs every Thursday at 8:40 PM KST on tvN. New episodes are also available on Tving.