Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol’s Hawaii date photos surface; Dispatch confirms relationship timeline

Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol are the newest K-town couple who were met with side-eyes from fans all around. This intense scrutiny comes just days after aespa’s Karina issued an apology for dating actor Lee Jae Wook, sparking international discussion and BBC coverage on the strict dating restrictions Korean idols often face.

Now, adding fuel to the fire, South Korean news outlet Dispatch has revealed that Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol were indeed together during their recent trip to Hawaii. Although the pictures are aimed towards clearing their name from the controversy but internet is divided and here is why.

Dispatch reveals Hawaii date pictures of Han So Hee and Ryu Jun Yeol

The news first came to light after a fan posted a picture of the actors, tagging their dramas Nevertheless and Reply 1988, claiming they appeared affectionate in a Hawaiian swimming pool. The agencies initially denied the dating rumors, but an online feud soon erupted between former Girls’ Day member Hyeri who dated Ryu Jun Yeol for seven long years, and Han So Hee. This prompted the agencies to confirm the relationship, swiftly followed by Han So Hee penning a lengthy blog post confirming it as well.

In their latest issue, Dispatch released the photos and said that the couple were actually together at the time the photos surfaced on the Korean website. They said they flew to Hawaii as soon as the news broke. “But what they saw wasn’t what they were expecting.” The shared pictures spotlight the couple, but not in a ‘lovey-dovey’ way. Many netizens felt tension in the moment, while others argued about why they chose to lie about their relationship in the first place when they were not at fault.