Plot Twist in Hyeri’s Love Saga: Did Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol Deserve the Hate?

On July 1, Korean media reported that actress Hyeri has been dating “Street Man Fighter” dancer Woo Tae for nearly a year. Industry insiders revealed the two developed feelings while working together on the 2024 film Victory. Although her agency stated that it’s “difficult to confirm personal matters,” such responses in K-ent usually signal an implicit confirmation.

The news prompted netizens to re-examine the timeline of the dramatic love triangle involving Hyeri, Ryu Jun Yeol, and Han So Hee. Many pointed out that Hyeri may have already moved on with a new boyfriend while still causing trouble for her ex and his rumored new partner.

Victory was filmed between March and July 2024, while Hyeri and Ryu Jun Yeol’s breakup was publicly announced in November 2023. The “It’s Really Interesting” Instagram story believed to be Hyeri’s reaction to Ryu Jun Yeol and Han So Hee’s dating rumors surfaced in March 2024 and triggered massive public backlash.

At the time, Ryu Jun Yeol and Han So Hee were criticized for “getting involved too soon” after his breakup. But now, if Hyeri and Woo Tae had already started dating during Victory filming, Hyeri would be no different also being romantically involved before her breakup was public.

While some reports suggest that Hyeri and Ryu Jun Yeol may have ended things privately in February 2023, Han So Hee bore the brunt of public outrage in March 2024. In hindsight, some netizens feel that Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol were wrongly vilified, as Hyeri might have already moved on yet chose to stay silent, letting the public scorn fall elsewhere.

Some even suspect that Hyeri used public sentiment to redirect criticism toward Han So Hee, especially when the couple’s trip to Hawaii was exposed. By then, Hyeri may have already been in a relationship but chose not to clarify anything, leading the public to misjudge Ryu Jun Yeol and Han So Hee.

Still, others defend Hyeri, noting that if the breakup truly occurred in February 2023, her relationship with Woo Tae during Victory would be completely legitimate. They argue that the entire love triangle was blown out of proportion, especially since Hyeri’s infamous story never named names.

According to sources, the two share a deep, respectful bond, offering emotional support through challenging times. What started as a professional connection has blossomed into a meaningful and committed relationship—one that has now quietly lasted nearly a year.