It was the kind of relationship that felt like a permanent fixture in the K-drama world. When Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri first confirmed they were dating back in 2017, fans of Reply 1988 collectively lost their minds. It was the "Team Jun-hwan" victory we never got on screen. But fast forward to 2026, and the dust has finally settled on a breakup that was, honestly, way messier than anyone expected for a couple that had been together for seven—nearly eight—years.
Most people think they know the story. They broke up, he moved on, she posted a cryptic Instagram story, and the internet exploded. But if you look closer at the timeline and the fallout, it’s clear that the situation wasn't just about a simple split. It was about the "seven-year curse," the weight of public expectation, and a very modern kind of digital ghosting that left everyone feeling a bit uncomfortable.
The Reality of the Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri Breakup
The official word came down in November 2023. Agencies confirmed it: the pair had decided to "remain as colleagues." Standard PR talk, right? But the reality was a lot more strained. According to later admissions from Hyeri herself, the decision to end things wasn't a sudden snap. They had been struggling for a while.
There were signs as early as June 2023. Rumors started swirling when Ryu Jun-yeol didn't show up for Hyeri’s birthday. Fans, who are basically digital detectives at this point, noticed the lack of interaction. They denied it then, probably trying to save what was left. Hyeri later shared that even after the official November split, they had discussed "talking more" about their relationship. It wasn't a hard door-slam. It was more like a "to be continued," which is exactly why the events of March 2024 felt like such a betrayal to her.
That "Interesting" Instagram Post and the Hawaii Chaos
The drama peaked when photos surfaced of Ryu Jun-yeol in Hawaii with actress Han So-hee. This was only four months after the official breakup news. For Hyeri, who was under the impression that they might still have things to discuss, seeing those photos must have felt like a punch to the gut.
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She posted three words on her Instagram story: "This is funny" (or "It’s interesting," depending on the translation).
That one post triggered a domino effect. Han So-hee felt the need to defend herself against "transit love" (rebound/cheating) accusations, eventually posting a long blog entry that she later deleted. The backlash was so intense that Ryu Jun-yeol and Han So-hee ended their relationship just two weeks after going public.
Why the public turned on Ryu Jun-yeol
While the two women were caught in a public tug-of-war, Ryu Jun-yeol stayed almost entirely silent. This didn't sit well with the public. Netizens started calling him a "red flag" for letting his ex and his new girlfriend take all the heat while he hid behind his agency's statements.
- The Silence: He didn't clarify the timeline, which left Han So-hee to fend for herself.
- The Timeline: Hyeri claimed they were still "communicating" about their relationship, while Han's side claimed they had been over since early 2023.
- The Power Dynamics: It felt like a classic case of a man moving on while the woman was still processing the "break."
Where They Stand in 2026
It’s been a couple of years now, and the industry has mostly moved on, though the awkwardness remains. Recently, the Reply 1988 cast had a 10th-anniversary reunion (it’s hard to believe it’s been that long). Reports from the "Channel Fullmoon" highlight video showed both Ryu Jun-yeol and Hyeri in attendance, but—and this is a big "but"—they were never in the same frame.
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The production team seemingly went to great lengths to ensure their paths didn't cross. No two-shots. No shared conversations on camera. It’s a far cry from the days when she would send coffee trucks to his sets and visit him for his birthday.
Hyeri has handled the aftermath with a lot of grace. She apologized for her "emotional" reaction in 2024, acknowledging that she let her personal feelings as "Lee Hye-ri" get ahead of her professional persona as an actress. Since then, she’s leaned hard into her work, appearing in variety shows like Office Workers and continuing to be a favorite for brand deals. She’s even poked fun at the "interesting" controversy, showing she’s finally reached a place where it doesn't sting as much.
Lessons from the Fallout
If you're following this saga, there are a few things that actually matter beyond the gossip.
First, the "break" is a trap. If a long-term relationship goes on a hiatus with a promise to "talk later," it usually just creates a gray area that leads to disaster when one person moves on faster than the other.
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Second, the digital footprint of a breakup is permanent. Hyeri’s three-word post changed the trajectory of three careers in forty-eight hours.
Lastly, look at the career longevity. Despite the mess, Hyeri’s transparency and eventual apology actually bolstered her public image. People related to her hurt. Ryu Jun-yeol, on the other hand, took a significant hit to his "romantic lead" image, though he continues to be respected for his acting chops in films like The Night Owl.
If you're looking to keep up with their current projects, Hyeri is increasingly active on her YouTube channel, where she gives a much more authentic look at her life than any tabloid ever could. Ryu Jun-yeol has stayed focused on more niche, artistic projects and his environmental work with Greenpeace. The best way to support them now is to focus on their individual craft rather than digging for ghosts of a relationship that, for better or worse, is finally in the rearview mirror.