BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

South Korean actress Han So-hee has officially acknowledged that she is dating Ryu Jun Yeol, just a day following her agency’s dismissal of the rumors. 

Yet, their emerging romantic relationship has encountered some bumps along the way, with fans expressing varied reactions to their love story. From their initial serendipitous meeting to their most recent get-together – the comprehensive timeline of the latest couple in K-town is laid out here.

The romantic involvement between Han So-hee and Ryu Jun-yeol began in November 2023, when Han So-hee attended Ryu Jun-yeol’s photo exhibition titled ‘A Wind Runs Through It and Other Stories’. At that time, Ryu had recently ended a seven-year relationship with actress and singer Hyeri. Han So-hee later confirmed in a blog post that this encounter marked their initial meeting, stating, “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.”

Speculation has been sparked surrounding them following their sightings at the same hotel in Hawaii. According to reports from Korea JoongAng Daily, a Japanese post mentioning “popular Korean actors” at the hotel pool, and tagging their respective dramas ‘Reply 1988’ and ‘Nevertheless’, led to rumors about the two stars. Although the post didn’t include a photo and was swiftly deleted, it intensified gossip regarding a potential connection between Ryu and Han. Social media posts further contributed to the speculation, with witnesses claiming to have seen the duo vacationing together at a luxury hotel swimming pool in Hawaii.

The agencies representing both actors chose not to confirm the rumors but acknowledged that Ryu and Han were indeed in Hawaii. CJes Studios of Ryu stated, “It is true that Ryu is staying in Hawaii for photography work. We kindly ask (the public) to respect the actor’s (privacy) on his trip.”

Ato Entertainment, the agency of Han, confirmed her vacation to Hawaii with friends, stating, “Regarding the rest, we kindly request understanding (in declining to respond to any dating rumors) as it falls within the range of (Han’s) privacy”. While the agencies neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, they emphasized the importance of respecting the actors’ privacy during their time away.

Amidst speculation surrounding Ryu Jun-yeol’s rumored relationship with Han So-hee, tensions appeared to escalate when his ex-partner, actress-singer Hyeri, made a significant gesture. Following her decision to unfollow Ryu Jun-yeol on Instagram, she posted a cryptic update that roughly translates to “That’s funny.”

Han So Hee took to her personal blog to address speculations and interactions, seeking to dispel misunderstandings and alleviate concerns among her fans. In her post dated March 16, she affirmed her romantic involvement with actor Ryu Jun. She additionally urged fans not to categorize it as a “rebound.” Furthermore, she apologized for her Instagram actions, confessing to feeling overwhelmed by rumors of infidelity. Subsequently, on the same day, Ryu Jun Yeol’s agency also verified their relationship.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo: Koreaboo