With only two episodes left, “Dear Hyeri” is nearing its end, and like any other romance K-drama, it’s time for Eun Ho (Shin Hae Sun) to choose her love interest. While her two options are Hyun Oh (Lee Jin Uk) and Joo Yeon (Kang Hoon), there’s also a third choice to consider—staying single for a while to heal before resuming dating.
Here are three times we wanted Eun Ho to focus on finding her own happiness in episodes 9 and 10 of “Dear Hyeri.”
Warning: spoilers for episodes 9-10 ahead!
Eun Ho and Hyun Oh’s relationship history
No matter the genre, when there is a love triangle, the audience is usually divided into two sub-groups, each rooting for the female lead to end up with one of the male leads. “Dear Hyeri” viewers are no exception. While many hope that Eun Ho will end up with Joo Yeon, a notable portion of the audience roots for Eun Ho to be with Hyun Oh, whom she has loved for over 12 years.
However, many viewers cannot support this pairing because Hyun Oh abandoned Eun Ho twice: once when he broke up with her four years ago and again when he left her alone in her apartment after a week of caring for her and giving her hope. He had reasons for his actions both times—he didn’t want marriage, while Eun Ho did—making the breakup the realistic option. But these aren’t the only incidents where he left Eun Ho wondering what she did wrong.
Episodes 9 and 10 mainly focus on showing the history of Eun Ho and Hyun Oh’s relationship. While many scenes are cozy and filled with love, one scene, in particular, left the audience questioning whether Hyun Oh even deserves to be with Eun Ho.
In one flashback, we see Eun Ho giggling as she tells Hyun Oh that her friends think he likes her because he keeps inviting her to meet at date spots. Hyun Oh responds as if it should have been obvious. The entire interaction is wholesome and gives a glimpse into their innocent youth. However, this flashback is followed by another interaction a month later at a bus stop, where Hyun Oh tells Eun Ho that he assumes she isn’t interested because she didn’t respond when he confessed his feelings. Before she can even reply, he boards a bus, leaving her alone at the stop. In another scene, Eun Ho is sitting on a bus when Hyun Oh, seated a few rows behind, moves to sit beside her. She looks visibly upset, telling him he cannot act casually after ignoring her for six months, but he brushes it off and places his hand over her shoulder.
It’s unclear whether the writer intends this interaction to be romantic, but after these flashbacks, it’s evident that Hyun Oh has a habit of abandoning Eun Ho. This pattern is likely influenced by his trauma from being abandoned by his mother. However, he needs therapy before he can be with Eun Ho again because if he repeats this behavior, it might break her beyond repair.
Hyun Oh’s potential for therapy is hinted at in previous episodes, where he talks to Eun Ho’s therapist about his issues. He simply needs to continue these sessions while Eun Ho heals independently, and perhaps they can find their way back to each other in the future.
Joo Yeon and Eun Ho’s story arc
The predictions were accurate, and if the plot continues in its current direction, Joo Yeon is bound to give us a heart-wrenching case of second-lead syndrome. After yearning for Hye Ri, Joo Yeon officially falls for Eun Ho, and it’s emotional to see the love in his eyes for her, knowing that, unlike Hye Ri, Eun Ho does not return his feelings.
In one scene, Joo Yeon sees Eun Ho after a month and says, “Even if you are not by my side, as long as you’re alive and healthy, that’s enough for me.” This line alone is moving, but the hug between Joo Yeon and Eun Ho afterward likely made everyone cry and root for them to be endgame. But is that what Eun Ho truly wants or needs?
Joo Yeon may be in love with Eun Ho, but to her, he’s nearly a stranger. She knows him only through Hye Ri’s diary and has officially met him only a few times. It’s unrealistic to expect her to fall for him during such a mentally exhausting time. While it may frustrate viewers to see her reject Joo Yeon, it’s natural that she would seek comfort in Hyun Oh, someone she has known and loved for years, no matter how unhealthy their relationship has been.
So, while Hyun Oh should go to therapy and allow Eun Ho to heal, the audience must understand that, no matter how painful it is, the person who once loved Joo Yeon is gone, making it unrealistic to expect Eun Ho to fall for him.
Ji On and Hyun Oh’s conversation
In episode 10 of “Dear Hyeri,” Ji On (Kang Sang Joon) finally tells Hyun Oh the words the audience has wanted to say to him since day one:
“Do you know why Eun Ho entered the forest? She wanted to throw herself away. In order to become Joo Hye Ri, she made a cut on her arm and lived there, because Joo Hye Ri is the person who receives Joo Yeon’s sincere love and lives without worry. It is better there than here, where she risks getting hurt by you again.”
Eun Ho has endured a painful life, losing loved ones one after another. She wanted Hyun Oh to be the one who stayed. However, her traumatic past has led her to become unhealthily dependent on him. She tried to find happiness as Hye Ri, but that didn’t bring her the fulfillment she sought. This doesn’t have to be the end for her though. Instead of jumping back into a relationship with Hyun Oh, it would be healthier for her to continue therapy, build a supportive group of friends, and heal on her own before considering romance again.
While true love can mend broken hearts, it cannot cure mental illness. Eun Ho’s attempt to find comfort in Hyun Oh’s arms is understandable, but hopefully, in the upcoming episodes, she’ll be shown seeking professional help rather than solely relying on romance for healing.
Start watching “Dear Hyeri”:
Hello Soompiers! What do you think is going to happen in episodes 11-12? Is Eun Ho going to end up with one of the male leads or find happiness on her own? Let us know in the comments section below.
Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres and stans the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.
Currently watching: “Dear Hyeri” and “What Comes After Love.”
Looking forward to: “Squid Game Season 2,” “Good Boy,” “Brewing Love,” and “Reborn.”