It’s hard to ignore the pink elephant in the room when everyone keeps asking me if I’ve seen it. Yes, my sweet chingus, thank you for the unending links and emails about Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo dating in real life. Yes, I’ve seen it. The reason I chose not to write about it was, borrowing from the always succinct Rhett Butler, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” While I love it when stars that have great onscreen chemistry date, and I enjoy speculating about possible onscreen couples, I really chafe at being led around like a guppy and pulled into entertainment industry machinations. So while I’m glad everyone is happy about the Queen In Hyun’s Man couple dating, and I’m supportive that the couple appears happily together, the whole last two weeks felt like increasingly putrid rotting fish that rather made a happy occasion stink up the joint.
First off, I like Ji Hyun Woo. As an actor he has charm if not a wide-ranging acting prowess, and I’ve probably watched more of his dramas than most casual drama watchers (at least prior to QIHM, where now I’m assuming folks are digging up his old stuff to watch). He seems like a decent guy in real life, and being a musician probably renders him less stuffy and more free-spirited. All good. When I first heard that he confessed to liking/loving Yoo In Na at the end of the QIHM viewing party, I was totally ecstatic and supportive. A public and unfettered declaration of love is romantic, even if any such declaration is misguided and rather self-absorbed (rendering the other side in a rock-and-a-hard-spot as to possibly saying no and coming off like a heartless jerk/bitch). I thought all signs pointing to Yoo In Na reciprocating his feelings so no harm done.
Then comes the fall out, and his subsequent response really annoyed me. First off, he tweets that if he could do it all over again, he would still do the same thing? Really? I thought spontaneous expressions of love were by default not appropriate for the occasion. Because if a person thought about it, the practical answer would be “let me tell her privately and we can discuss it”. Otherwise the world would be littered with folks shouting their love in public venues and let’s not consider the mortification to befall most of them. So for him to say he would do it again – dude, so not considerate. I was fine with it being in the moment, but on reflection I expect more maturity and thoughtfulness from you. Plus when I watched the video, it was clear it was not an “excited utterance” as per legal parlance (and what I assumed it was), but he planned it. I really dislike moments clearly planned but made to seem impromptu.
I also docked him brownie points for then telling folks to not to pay too much attention to his public confession. BUH? Seriously? That’s like a exhibitionist taking off all his clothes and streaking past me, and then turning back and telling me not to look, that’s impolite. Oh dude, your hypocrisy kills me. YOU made it public by revealing to the entire world you like Yoo In Na. It’s not like anyone went prying into your business. You WANTED to tell people. You can’t then backtrack and tell us not to pay attention to it. If you wanted the peace and quiet to woo your girl, then you should have kept your mouth shut and told her privately that you liked her. The moment you went viral and public, it’s fair game to the public because you are a public figure.
The downside of being a star is the lack of privacy. It’s a sad reality that stars must exchange a loss of expectation of privacy for the chance to be adored, idolized, and fawned over. Of course the fans can’t cross the line, and the line in Korea is pretty firm. Korea doesn’t have a paparazzi because the law criminalizes it, making it an invasion of privacy to film stars. That’s why so many relationships between stars can be kept on the down low, even if everyone in the industry knows it, because the media can’t report on it unless the stars have consented to go public.
So this leads me to the “photos” shot of Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo out strolling the park late at night, wearing matching casual work out clothes and being all affectionate. If you don’t believe that was staged then I have gold in Nigeria to sell you. So the two of them wandered around for over an hour in the wee hours outside, not noticing a photographer was snapping away left, right, and center? Pfffttt, so lame. In one picture Ji Hyun Woo even makes eye contact with the camera, LOL. But I get it. Their management companies probably decided the best way to salvage this situation is to have them appear to be outed as a couple by intrepid an intrepid shutterfly, hence the staged “accidental” photo op. Otherwise the news papers would never dare run with this, at the risk of being sued by a big entertainment company like YG.
This post is purely to sate everyone’s curiosity who has been asking me what I think about their dating. I don’t want to pour cold water on all the In-Hyun shippers, who rightfully should be happy. Somehow their dream couple from QIHM made it work! I am just expressing my disappointment and distaste for how it all unfolded. Before the couple went public a few days ago, last week I had some hilarious chats with friends on the topic of “Ji Hyun Woo – idiot romantic or conniving douchebag?” The overwhelming majority felt he was a conniving douchebag for planning a public love declaration that would inevitably put Yoo In Na in a difficult position. Say no then she will comes across as some heartless floozy who likely toyed with his affections on the set.
But with the confirmation of their relationship, it becomes clearer that this was likely all staged from the get so they could go public. I think going public is better for Ji Hyun Woo, who’s off to the military and obscurity for the next two years. Whereas now Yoo In Na will be asked about Ji Hyun Woo every single time she does an interview for anything and everything. Not exactly an ideal situation for a rising actress. But since both appear happy and this is the path they have chosen, like I said in the very beginning, I am happy for them. I just don’t want to play the Korean entertainment behind-the-scenes staging game. So that’s my two cents, and I hope this effectively ends the incessant barrage of questions as to what I think about this admittedly pretty fascinating reel-to-real couple. What I think doesn’t matter to them in the least.
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Ah, I am actually watching the show right now and they do have crazy chemistry. I think it is hard for actors in Korea to go public with relationships. I agree that the whole public love confession seems a little contrived. Anyway, I wish them both luck.
All I'm saying is that this is pretty much "Keeping with the Kardashians" but pretending it was all happening on the fly and a camera happened to be there. Nothing wrong with scripted reality shows, as long as the viewer knows its scripted. Its like Kim marrying that douchey whats-his-name and pretending her "marriage and divorce" was really just a love story gone awry. Ooookay. I'm happy for the outcome but I call bullshit on the entire process. But at the end of the day, what's not to like about two pretty people who clearly like each other getting together. I just won't be gushing about how "romantic" it all was, is all.
And the bullshit is stinking up the place ... much as we'd like to live in "dreamworld", reality (and reality shows) SUCK, so much so, that Yoo In Na may be in a horrible place in life without a way out that won't damage her image while Ji Hyun Woo walks away scot-free in the ultra-machismo Korean society and ent business.
I really hated almost everything about the way this went down and my disgust has increased this week in direct proportion to other fans' delightful squeals. A girl should have a choice and a chance to say NO without the pressure of her entire career being damaged for just not liking a boy as much as he likes her. I've smelt a rat from the very beginning of this entire charade and I think I know who will get the short end of the stick.
Color me seriously pissed off.
lol Leonardwench
YIN herself said she had feelings for him way back then while filming the drama, so she asked JHW to wait until the drama end because she didn't want to mix work and love.
And he agreed. And did just like she asked.
Did you ever saw what was her reply? Her entire reply I mean, read it all and you'll see it is just two people in love.
Stop making things more dramatic than they are.
@leonardswench: Took the words right out of mouth. Someone raised my hackles by mentioning on tumblr that "if Yoo In Na did not liked Ji Hyun Woo, she should not have flirted with him on set. She should have known better than to lead him on." Really!? What are we in? The Dark Ages? If HE couldn't stand rejection, then he shouldn't be playing the game at all. It seems that pro-male supremacy is still popular with some and not only in Korean society.
If they eventually break up, Ji Hyun Woo would be lauded for his brave confession. Some fans (and may i stress the word 'some' in case 'some' rabid fan decides to jump-ass me) will probably 'mourn' his lost but we know how that works. 'Oh how tragic that they didn't end up together. My heart bleeds for him. He was so brave and romantic. She should have held on tighter. Yada yada yada...Moving on...' . Yes, lets move on.
Err, their feelings weren't staged. You can it the date in public was staged/planned, but you can't say their feelings aren't real.
And even if his confession and date was staged/planned, doesn't change the truth: they like each other.
And this stage/plan was made for what? For they date in public, because they can't win taht much doing something like this putting their career in danger just because of a drama or a little of spotlight,, that they didn't much because they already had it before with the drama gossip about them dating plus explosive chesmitry.
People here are talking as if they don't have any feelings and just got together to make news. Oh Please.
Gosh, and here I was thinking that I was the only one that felt extremely unconfortable with the news of his public confession. And I did like him, but he choosed to act like a selfish and arrogant person with his actions, just because he "liked" a girl. It would be totally acceptable if they were already a known couple and he was just declaring his feelings. What he did was simply putting her against the wall. And everybody is praising his "manliness" for having the balls to do what he did. ew
Kudos, Koala, for your reasonable two cents!
I really don't understand why people must be negative about public love confessions. This is not something new. I don't think it should be a topic for analysis. They are just two people in LOVE. If you like them, support them and give them your prayers. Otherwise, just move on to another page. Hehe.
Scripted , planned , staged or not , im stilL in favor in their relation , I wilL stilL support them as my idol , anyway they are a good couple for me , so for those who's stilL making an ugly issue , its your problem not them (Ji Hyun Woo/Yoo In na forever)
I love them as couple....
He is just the right type of guy for her...
I feel he would always support her and encourage he
because he truly cares for her....
Go team HyunNa !!!!
From her statement on her radio show it's clear she knew about his feelings but asked him to wait until the end of the drama.
Imagine her surprise LOL. She asked for a week (but took longer) and then called him out to the park to accept him. She said she planned to announce it on the radio first but she saw the reporter she didn't feel the need to run away and just accepted it.
Staged or not I'm glad for them. I always liked YIN (between Heroes and being a YG fan LOL) and enjoyed JHW work (plus being adorable on Invincible Youth 2) so I'm glad they are happy.
I agree wholeheartedly with your analysis Mrs Koala. Btw, I'm interested if you have gold to sell. :)
The worst publicity is: No publicity.
The all revelation thing has been prepared to have the maximum of impact for everyone involved: Actors, channel and people around them.
That said, I'm happy for them. Now only time will tell about the strength of their bond.
I agree with your assessment of her assessment, and I am happy for them.
If you are trying to get publicity for something you don't do it when it's over. The show had 1 episode left and it was airing that same day. He is going to the Army in the summer. So his career gained nothing by his admission. The show was over so it gained nothing. Yoo in Na was not a major star so the fact that his confession was so widely publicized came as a surprise to her.
I think Koala is overly cynical. But that's her opinion so that's it.
I completely agree with your assessment!
agree! =]
I agree with your comment
Will we still be talking about 'em IF nth of this happen? I call this exactly trying to get publicity and kudos to them, they get A LOT of it.
I'm happy for them if they r truly in love. I just don't see the need to play it out so publicly, esp with YIN's radio show, sweet as it's presented, it's TMI. What normal human being keep track of every word and exact timeline of every details and all that in the whirlwind of falling in love?!?!?
As norm, I'm wording everything dearKoala said. EVERY sentiment and whattheheck?, mine as well.
me too, why analyze everything? let's be happy if others are happy...
anyway it's not about their drama anymore, it's their personal life so leave them alone....
i totally agree with you!!
YG is such a calculating person and I'm surprised he even allowed her to go public what with her being a rising actress and him enlisting within a couple of weeks. It is a precarious situation for her more than him as she WILL be asked about him whenever interviewed.
Anyways, here's wishing the two of them the best of luck! <3
They are dating, I'm glad...have a happy life and cute babies...
Let's talk about s'thing else ;)
I think people over-think too much. There was no planning behind it. it was spontaneous. and Yoo In NA clearly explained that they had feeling for each other during the filming but wanted to separate fiction from reality so she asked for time to sort it out. But questions were asked during the preview of the last episode and that led to the answer he gave.
I don't understand why people have to see something sinister behind it. Sometimes things are just as they are. Simple.
Now leave Koala alone no more questions. And stop stalking In Hyun. If you love them leave them alone.
Well said, agree with you. Thanks.
i think they're an item even before they started QiHM. his brother mentioned in one article that JHW was working really hard for that project to even talked to a few actresses to be his lading-lady. so maybe his first choice was his crush or girlfriend which is YIN of course ... JHW also mentioned that their tiptoe kiss was his idea and YIN agreed to it ... IF it was staged, i'm not complaining .. not at all cuz' i'm sooo happy for them.
*clapping* I like what you said. People just analyse too much at times. After all, we don't know what the actual situation is like, only the two concern know. Although it's good to know that they are now dating, but whatever he said or she said in public only matters to them. JHW being inconsiderate or rash, I think the only person has the right to say would be YIN herself. If she thinks it's just an honesty act, then public should just accept and disregard our own thinking, cos it didn't happen to us. Whether she'll be asked during her interviews, that's all up to her to approve the question when the draft is given to her. As we know, showbiz is all about showing the public and creating interest. So, I just want to wish them all the very best and I do hope for a long lasting happy ending. ^^
Amen sistah! Yeeesh, after reading koala's blog entry about this, it left a really bitter taste in my mouth. Waaay too calculating and over analytical. Jhw a hypocrite? aigooo indeed. That's for them[yin] to decide. way too judgmental over here. If this was hollywood, no one would give a stink over love confessions. Clearly, if he didn't have anything to back him up, JHW would not have confessed. Sometimes, in this industry... gotta try different things to win the girl.
Hmm, so that was it, I disagree with you but is nice why you said that thing about this not being worth your comment or being staged, because the way you said it before let me believe you said they weren't really together because they had feelings for each other/liked each other but just for the sake of publicity, which isn't the case. Yes, they planned to go out and date in public, but they do like each other for real, I see no problem in them wanting to date in public. People always complain famous k people can't date in public because netizens and people and media will made their life a hell, but when they do, this happens, people complain and prefer they did it behind the scenes. I really don't get it.
And since it was planned, I believe YIN knew too, right? So now I wish people could stop saying he doesn't care about YIN and thinks about him.
YIN said she saw rhe reporter and that is why she did the fighting plus V sign to the reporter.
Whether or not it was staged or not, am happy for them so I hope it works out for them. I honestly did not think it was douchy behavior to announce it like that, maybe cause am an idealist.
i am with you! people enjoyed their drama and if their relationship works ... good for them...it is not our business if they are in love or just making publicity ...
I agree. They can stage it or spontaneously start making out on the stage, I don't care and am not rendering judgment on whether staging it is right or wrong. I simply feel like if my impression is that it's staged, then it sorta loses the romanticism angle for me, so my reaction consequently is one of "meh" because it doesn't trigger me to swoon over it. That's all. I think they are an adorable couple, and hope it works out.
Ahh I see. I didnt really watch the show, but I read the recaps and i thought it was cute. I like your deductions from all of this. I was really ecstatic for Yoo In Ah because I like her. I don't know or keep up with much Kpop other than YEH and Bigbang. But Hmm, I can actually say I dont know how to take your assessment. But I like you am happy for them especially if they really really really like each other. who knows. I was initially glad that Yoo In Ah found someone and I didn't want to see a public rejection--that would suck booty. So I was happy for that...until maybe now that I got more info. Huh.
What I find more interesting than this confession is the sudden outburst of celebrity couple reveals.
Seo Eun Ho and Choi Jin Hyuk
Seo Woo and In Kyo Jin
and of course said couple.
And all in the last week?
That's a good thing if k-celebs not afraid to tell the public they're dating. If more and more celebrity couple doing this maybe Korean public and netizens will change slowly. This entertainers should be judge by their performance in their projects. It's sick that merely dating or breaking up with somebody can ruin your entire potential career.