We know we're not alone when we say that Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol's whirlwind romance has ~rocked~ us to our core ever since it was announced that they were officially in a relationship. But, this just in, people: So Hee and Jun Yeol have already broken up after two weeks of openly dating, according to various Korean media outlets.
READ MORE: A Timeline Of Han So Hee And Ryu Jun Yeol's Relationship
Han So Hee And Ryu Jun Yeol Have Officially Broken Up
Naver reported that Jun Yeol's agency, C-JeS Studio, confirmed the news through the Seoul Economic Star. "It is true that Ryu Jun-yeol broke up with Han So-hee," they wrote.
"Please understand that we have no other position than to acknowledge the breakup."
Following this, a representative from So Hee's agency, 9ato Entertainment, confirmed the news of the couple's split, according to Soompi.
"Han So Hee and actor Ryu Jun Yeol have broken up. The two both found their roles as actors to be more important. They promised to no longer emotionally exhaust with their personal life," they wrote.
They added: "Han So Hee gave herself and the public a difficult time due to her personal emotions. Her method of communication was incorrect. She will accept any criticism. Above all, the agency is greatly responsible for not looking after its actor. The agency is reflecting on failing to properly play its role. Although it is very late, we will go on to right things from now on. Please continue to watch with a warm gaze."
A Brief Explainer on Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol's Short Relationship
So Hee and Jun Yeol's short-lived relationship was... messy, to say the least. If you're confused about all the drama happening between them (that also involved Jun Yeol's ex, Hyeri), here's a short explainer:
The Rumors and Indirect Postings
It was on March 15, 2024 that rumors started spreading about So Hee and Jun Yeol allegedly dating after the two were spotted vacationing together in Hawaii. Both of their respective agencies denied that they were a couple, stating that they were just there as "close friends."
On the same day, Jun Yeol's ex-girlfriend of six years, Hyeri, posted a *cryptic* photo on her Instagram Stories of palm trees with the caption: "This is funny." It was reported that she also unfollowed Jun Yeol on Instagram that same day.
So Hee posted her own Instagram Story afterward, posting a picture of a dog holding a knife with the speech bubble that said: "Explain this situation now."
She also added: ""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."
So Hee also seemingly *responded* to Hyeri's IG Story by adding, "I also find this funny."
The Relationship Confirmation
On March 16, 2024, So Hee confirms her relationship with Jun Yeol via a post on her blog. She also stressed that her relationship with him did not overlap with his previous one with Hyeri. (You can check out So Hee's full translated blog post on Soompi).
"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 wrote in one part of her blog post.
That same day, Jun Yeol's agency released a statement confirming the status of the two.
Road to the Breakup
In the days following the confirmation of their relationship, it was reported that two of So Hee's endorsements were terminating their partnerships with her. Chum Churum, a popular Korean soju brand, confirmed that they were no longer working together with So Hee after just one year. NH Bank also announced that they were no longer moving forward with So Hee after a three-year partnership.
However, So Hee's agency quickly clarified that the said termination of contracts was announced *before* the dating rumors spread.
On March 29, 2024, So Hee once again defended herself from the internet in a now-deleted lengthy Instagram statement.
In it, she reiterated that she first met Jun Yeol at his photo exhibit in November 2023, writing: "That was exactly the first time we met. I will ignore the ridiculous comments claiming that we were friends even before then. I had never met [Ryu Jun Yeol] in public or in private, nor had I contacted him or known anyone in common."
She also stressed that their relationship wasn't a "transfer love"—a term referring to moving on to a new relationship before ending a previous one. "It’s true that [Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri] broke up exactly last year. It’s true that they bid farewell to each other, wishing each other’s happiness and good health," she wrote.
She then pointed out that she did, in fact, apologize to Hyeri, and added:
"What I don’t understand is that I want to ask [Hyeri] what was so funny about the fact that her ex got a new girlfriend. Why did she transform the content of the text message, which was not for the purpose of reunion, into a text message full of lingering attachment, and give the title of ‘transfer love’ to [Ryu Jun Yeol’s] new romantic relationship that occurred after four months [since their breakup], then remain silent."
However, a few minutes after uploading her post, So Hee immediately deleted it and apologized for her "impatient" personality.
Later that day, So Hee's agency released a short statement: "We have no statements to give. We’re sorry."
On March 30, 2024, both So Hee and Ju Yeol's respective agencies confirmed the two Korean actors' breakup.
Whew!
