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Jang Theo arrived at the shoot early. His entrance wasn't like what he did on Netflix's Single's Inferno, where he strongly left an impression with a "Yo," but his aura was certainly undeniable. He was simple and composed. The energy in the room subtly changed the moment he arrived—an unspoken sign of someone on the way to something bigger.
Immediately offering his hand, the 30-year-old actor introduced himself. This may not seem like a big deal, but it speaks volumes about a person. I could see his warmth and easygoing nature that resonated with fans of the hit Korean dating show. You don't often expect to see a "good guy" in a setting built for competition and drama, but in our short exchange, he came across as effortlessly gracious—and that alone made it easy to root for him.
The show offered a glimpse of this side of Theo when he crafted a flower ring for his then-castmate Lee Sian—an endearing moment the show's viewers couldn't help but gush over. "Even just writing down a little letter can make your whole day," he quips.
In his exclusive chat with Cosmopolitan Philippines, Theo summed up his Single's Inferno experience in one word: surreal—and it's easy to see why. From the show's carefully crafted island set to a lavish date at one of South Korea's most luxurious hotels, the entire journey felt "like a dream."
"I think both are kinda surreal," he says. "You know Inferno, the island, is a very well-made set. And for Paradise, [it] is like the most expensive and fancy suite in Korea so both are so surreal. Who else gets to undergo this kind of experience in someone's life?" He recalls with a hint of gratefulness apparent in his tone. "Like a dream, a weird dream?" he adds with a laugh.
Personally, though, Theo believes, love isn't bound by where you are. "For me, I don't think it is necessary to be in Paradise. I don't need any fancy restaurants, fancy cars," he begins. "I have the confidence to make someone happy and fun and have a good vibe. So, I think it depends on the person. Super romantic people prefer to be in Paradise with nice wine and champagne, and a swimming pool. But I'm not that kind of person," he declares. He shares that he simply prefers to “just have fun, walk down the road, be happy, and make a hilarious joke. Sometimes being serious."
He also casually revealed that his viral "hover hands" moment during the second female's game on the show was "definitely intentional." He explains, “Because I don't want to cause any jealousy. So, in my mind at the time, I was very cautious about touching the other casts' skin because it can trigger some kind of jealousy thing." He quickly adds, "Some people may use that kind of strategy to win someone’s heart, but I'm not that kind of person. I just tried my best to not touch someone's skin."
Theo is now one of the most talked-about participants from the show's fourth season, amassing over 1.7 million Instagram followers as of writing. He actively engages with his newfound fans, expressing his gratitude for their support. "I try my best to click like and try to answer, reply," he shares.
Of course, in today's digital era, countless videos of Theo and his time on the show have been circulating on TikTok—some of which he has already come across himself. Among the many fan edits and posts, he noticed a recurring theme: viewers had dubbed him a green flag. "Yeah, I was showered with that kind of green flag compliments, actually. I feel very grateful for that." he sheepishly acknowledged.
At the same time, Theo shared that he prefers not to put people into categories—an interesting stance at a time when labels are everywhere. "Honestly, I haven't ever thought about what green flags are or what red flags are. I don't like categorizing things and stereotypical things. So, yeah, unless someone cheats or like, lies, which can break trust, I think everything else is kind of like a matter of personal differences." he divulged.
He also admitted how lucky he just feels to connect with people on a deeper level after his time on the show. "I was just lucky enough to connect with people on a deeper level. Every person has their way and style of loving. I just hope that people find happiness and love in their own way. Just do whatever you want. Life is short."
No matter how his journey on the island wrapped up, Theo has no regrets—just pure gratitude for the experience. "I didn't expect to receive this much love, especially from the Philippines. I feel very overwhelmed and feel happy and privileged," he recalls with a hint of gratefulness in his tone. His appreciation was a recurring feeling during our quick and light conversation—proof of his genuinely down-to-earth nature.
His sincerity was clear when he offered advice to anyone going through their own "inferno"—whether in their career or relationships. "Actually, you know, some people may not like this, but my motto is 'Fake it 'til you make it," he confessed. "Manifestation," he named. It was an honest, personal truth he openly shared.
"I think this is the most crucial thing to make something successful," he adds. "Just be happy even if you're devastated. Just smile and then slightly and gradually, this is going to lead you to being real happy."
On Single's Inferno Season 4, Theo's big reveal was that he's actually an actor. He let us in on his ultimate goal: to break into Hollywood. And while that dream is still in the works, he's already making strides, starting with an exciting new project in the Philippines.
"It is a meaningful project both as an actor and a human being," he shared, his enthusiasm unmistakable. He'll be returning to the Philippines in the coming months to film, which he revealed is titled Finding Santos, and in preparation, he lets it slip that he's been learning Filipino. "I have been trying my best to pick up some Filipino words," he admitted before giving us a small but earnest sample: "Mahal kita, magandang gabi, and ako po si Theo Jang."
Eager to give us a little teaser of the drama film, Theo shared that it’s about a Filipino soldier who was dispatched to South Korea during the Korean War. He reveals that his character comes to the Philippines to try and fulfill his grandmother's dying wish—to find that Filipino soldier named Santos.
As our conversation wrapped up, he left me with one final promise: "I'm not gonna take all this support and love for granted." And with the way he carries himself—with gratitude, warmth, and an openness to learning—I have no doubt he means it.
Theo's Single's Inferno journey may have started with a casual "Yo" and ended in a way that wasn't exactly a fairytale. But in the grander scheme of things, he's walking away with something much greater. His story is far from over, and if his path so far is any indication, there are plenty more people—myself included—who'll be rooting for him as he makes his way toward his own paradise.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Dave Graciadas, assisted by: Ralph Benedict
ART DIRECTOR: Ica Del Mundo
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Ida Aldana
PRODUCER: Kate Sarmiento, assisted by: Alyana Olivar
CO-PRODUCER: Clara Umali
STYLING AND GROOMING: Kim Minju, Kim Doyoon
STORY: Clara Umali
VIDEO: Cherrie Ongteco-Julian, Greeko Junio, and Olan Pingco
SOCIAL MEDIA: Aina Lizarondo, assisted by: Elsa Macalinao
Special thanks to SBTown.
