Han So-hee Reflects on Love, Self-Worth After Ryu Jun-yeol Split: "He Didn't Abandon Me"

South Korean actress Han So-hee (한소희) recently appeared on the YouTube show “No Prepare” (차린 건 없지만) where she openly discussed her perspectives on relationships. When asked about her ideal type, she admitted that she now prioritizes emotional stability over external qualities, adding that she is also striving to become a more emotionally stable person herself.

On the afternoon of May 28, the YouTube channel “No Prepare” released its latest episode featuring Han as a guest. During the program, when asked about her ideal type, she stated, “Internally, I’ve recently come to prefer stable people.” She also confessed, “I’m also trying to become a stable person these days. I believe that if I am a stable person, stable people will eventually come into my life.”

Discussing romance, Han emphasized that in addition to maintaining emotional stability, one should not become overly dependent on a partner or place their entire life’s meaning in them. She explained, “If I cherish myself, even if this person leaves me, I still have a complete self. So, it’s just that this person once entered my life and later left; it’s not that he abandoned me.” She admitted that she is still learning to view relationships in this way.

Host Lee Young-ji (이영지) then posed a hypothetical scenario: what if someone, initially insecure, finally finds an emotionally stable partner but feels that the love they receive doesn't meet their expectations? What should they do?

Han responded that she would not engage in emotional arguments but would clearly articulate her feelings. She gave an example: “I wouldn’t say it emotionally, but I would explain it point by point, like, ‘I feel like your attention towards me might be a bit lacking. Should we try to work on this together?’”

However, she admitted that if the other person consistently fails to understand her feelings, even retorting, “I clearly love you, isn’t it strange that you think that way?” at that point, she would choose to give up.

Han also stressed that even if one feels a lack of love in a relationship, they should not neglect themselves. She stated, “I think sometimes it just happens that way; the part of love that isn’t filled, you have to fill it yourself.” She believes one can start by taking care of themselves in daily life, such as “eating delicious food, seeing beautiful things, and living your own life well.”

Furthermore, Han shared her view that no matter how important a relationship is, it should not overshadow one’s own life. She bluntly said, “I think when that person occupies more than half of my life, I start to fall apart.” Therefore, she believes the most crucial aspect of dating is to “maintain a good balance.”

Han So-hee’s remarks have once again brought to mind her past highly publicized relationship controversy.

In November 2023, Korean singer and actress Hyeri (혜리) and actor Ryu Jun-yeol (류준열) ended their eight-year public relationship. Unexpectedly, in March of the following year, Ryu was photographed with Han in Hawaii, sparking rumors of a new romance. Due to the sensitive timing, the situation was dubbed a “transfer relationship” controversy. After the incident broke, Hyeri posted “How fun” on her Instagram story, leading to speculation about its meaning. Han then responded with a post asking, “What’s fun?” Their public exchange quickly escalated the situation.

As public opinion continued to intensify, Ryu and Han’s relationship ended after only about 14 days. Han So-hee’s agency, 9ato Entertainment, confirmed their breakup at the time, stating that both parties had agreed not to emotionally exhaust each other over private matters, bringing a temporary close to the sensational relationship controversy.

Now, Han So-hee’s renewed discussion of relationship philosophies, such as “even if the other person leaves, it’s not abandoning oneself” and “not letting a partner occupy more than half of one’s life,” has prompted many netizens to revisit her past relationship controversy. They believe these words offer a deeper insight into her current understanding of love and self-worth.