The ongoing “transit love” scandal involving Ryu Jun-Yeol, Han So-hee, and Hyeri continues to fuel daily discussions, with a notable majority of netizens expressing support for Hyeri, despite her minimal social media activity. Recently, tvN, the broadcasting company behind the drama “Reply 1988,” has also aligned itself with Hyeri’s stance.
Specifically, tvN made an unexpected move by re-airing an episode of “Reply 1988,” specifically episode 5, and supplemented it with a notable addition. During the broadcast, a brief message appeared on screen stating, “Ryu Jun-Yeol cannot sleep because he’s thinking about Hyeri.”
This revision was made in light of a pivotal scene in the episode where Ryu Jun-yeol’s character, Jung-hwan, stays awake until 2 a.m., anxiously awaiting the return of Duk-sun (Hyeri), who had gone to the self-study room and failed to return home.
In this scene, Jung-hwan’s evident concern is palpable amidst heavy rainfall. Despite this, he resolves to venture out with an umbrella to await Duk-sun’s safe return. However, upon stepping outside, he witnesses Duk-sun running home without protection from the rain.
Instead of accompanying her, Jung-hwan selflessly offers her the umbrella and makes his way home bareheaded. This poignant moment serves as a testament to Jung-hwan’s burgeoning feelings for Duk-sun, though he remains oblivious to them.
The decision by tvN to showcase this particular episode amid the romantic narrative of the drama has garnered significant attention from netizens, particularly those advocating for Hyeri. A snapshot of the broadcast screen was captured by a netizen and subsequently shared on social media platforms, most notably X (formerly Twitter).
Within a mere 24-hour timeframe, the post amassed over 2 million views and circulated widely across various online platforms, sparking further dialogue and speculation among viewers.
In response, other netizens commented, “They’re so mean but I like it”, “What a tease. Everyone is taking Hyeri’s side”, “Please air the last episode. I want to see Duk-sun being happy”, “tvN and director Shin made such a good choice when they make Jung-hwan the second male lead”, “Nice timing”, etc.
“Reply 1988” is the drama that catalyzed Hyeri and Ryu Jun-yeol’s relationship. The two were once a beloved couple supported by the public and colleagues alike. However, they abruptly parted ways after seven years of dating, leaving many curious about the underlying reasons.