Korean actors Han So-hee, Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri. Image: Instagram/@xeesoxee, @ryusdb, @hyeri_0609
[Updated: March 30, 2024, 2:27 p.m.]
Korean actress Han So-hee confirmed her relationship with Ryu Jun-yeol, noting that their romance began several months after the actor and his girlfriend of eight years, Hyeri, parted ways.
Han was spotted with Ryu in Hawaii, which immediately sparked dating rumors among netizens. Her talent agency initially denied their romantic involvement, while Ryu’s agency confirmed that the actor is in Hawaii but did not respond to the dating rumors.
Netizens were then intrigued as Hyeri—a few hours after the rumors arose—shared on her Instagram Stories a photo of palm trees with a Korean caption that translates to “This is funny.”
Hyeri and Ryu, who starred in the hit Korean drama series “Reply 1988,” confirmed their breakup to the public in November 2023.
Image: Instagram/@hyeri_0609
Han, apparently in response to the rumors and to Hyeri, shared a low-quality photo of a dog with a knife via her Instagram Stories as well.
The caption—as translated to English by Korean media outlet Soompi—read: “Explain this situation… I don’t like people who have a significant other. I don’t lead them on while saying we’re just friends. I don’t take an interest in them. I don’t develop a relationship with them, and I don’t get in the way of other people’s relationships.”
“I like the program ‘EXchange,’ but there’s nothing like that in my life,” she continued, referring to a Korean dating show whose title was derived from a phrase that means “moving onto a new relationship before ending your last one.”
“I also find this funny,” Han concluded.
Han So-hee’s Instagram Story. Image: Instagram/@xeesoxee
Han then seemingly changed her tune as she took down her Instagram Story and released a statement on the matter via her personal blog.
“First, it’s true that we are in a relationship with positive feelings. However, I hope that people will not use the word ‘transfer.’ It’s true that we met through the exhibition, but I went there through a friend who’s a photographer with the goal of viewing the exhibition, and because I’d heard the news that we might be doing a project together, I wound up saying hello,” she said of her meeting with Ryu.
“Second, when we exchanged feelings for one another, it was already the beginning of 2024, and his breakup with that person was already wrapped up in early 2023,” she continued, apparently referring to Hyeri. “I heard that news articles about the breakup came out in November. Based on this fact, I confirmed my own feelings, and I kept going with the relationship.”
Han then admitted that her earlier Instagram Story was “pathetic and lame,” explaining that she “temporarily lost all reason and behaved rudely” after claims she dated Ryu even before his breakup with Hyeri arose.
“I will apologize to [Hyeri] regarding this fact, and I sincerely apologize to you all for not reacting wisely. Because I acted based on my emotions rather than rational thinking, I acknowledge that this is completely my fault, regardless of my reasons,” she wrote.
Han also apologized to her fans for her “messy” actions, and vowed to “control [her] greedy self” and do better.
Shortly afterwards, Ryu’s agency released a statement as well confirming the dating speculations.