Actor Ryu Jun-yeol has sparked curiosity due to his absence from the photos shared during the 10th-anniversary MT event for the tvN drama‘Reply 1988’. A YouTube channel called‘Channel Shibo-ya’uploaded two images on the 6th, accompanied by a caption that read,‘Reply 1988 10th Anniversary. See you soon in winter’.
The images captured several cast members of‘Reply 1988’, including Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Lee Dong-hwi, Ko Kyung-pyo, Ryu Hye-young, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Il-hwa, Lee Min-ji, Choi Seong-won, and Choi Mu-sung, gathered together for a meal, evoking memories of a scene from the show. However, one notable absence was Ryu Jun-yeol, who portrayed Kim Jeong-hwan in the series.
Directed by Shin Won-ho and written by Lee Woo-jung,‘Reply 1988’is a popular tvN drama that portrays the lives of five families residing in Ssangmundong, Seoul, during 1988. The narrative centers around high school student Seong Deok-seon (played by Hye-ri) as she searches for her future husband. The show originally aired from November 2015 to January 2016 and achieved a peak viewership rating of 18.8% (based on Nielsen Korea’s national paid household ratings), quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Ryu Jun-yeol and Hye-ri, who formed a romantic relationship through their roles in‘Reply 1988’, were publicly dating from August 2017 until their breakup in 2023. In March 2024, when rumors emerged about Ryu Jun-yeol dating actress Han So-hee, Hye-ri posted a cryptic message on Instagram saying‘Interesting,’while Han So-hee shared a meaningful photo, which fueled public speculation about an indirect rivalry between the two.
When news of an MT event celebrating the 10th anniversary of‘Reply 1988’spread viaChannel Shibo-ya, fans speculated about a potential reunion between Ryu Jun-yeol and Hye-ri, former lovers. However, it was reported that Ryu Jun-yeol only participated in part of the event due to his filming commitments for the Netflix original series‘The Rat’. He did not meet Hye-ri during the gathering. Instead, he appeared in individual opening scenes and family filming sessions with Kim Sung-kyun, Ahn Jae-hong, and Ra Mi-ran.
Key Details About the Event
- Cast Members Present: The photos included most of the main cast, such as Hye-ri, Park Bo-gum, Lee Dong-hwi, Ko Kyung-pyo, Ryu Hye-young, Ra Mi-ran, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Il-hwa, Lee Min-ji, Choi Seong-won, and Choi Mu-sung.
- Absence of Ryu Jun-yeol: Despite being a central character in the drama, Ryu Jun-yeol was notably missing from the group photos.
- Reason for Absence: It was reported that Ryu Jun-yeol could not attend the full event due to his work on‘The Rat’.
- Limited Interaction: Although he participated in some parts of the event, there was no indication that he met Hye-ri during the gathering.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
Fans expressed disappointment at the absence of Ryu Jun-yeol, especially given the anticipation surrounding a possible reunion with Hye-ri. Some speculated that his limited participation might be related to ongoing personal matters or professional obligations. Others pointed to the recent rumors about his relationship with Han So-hee as a possible reason for his absence.
Despite the lack of his presence, the event still generated significant interest, highlighting the enduring popularity of‘Reply 1988’and its impact on both the actors and the audience. The photos shared byChannel Shibo-yaserved as a nostalgic reminder of the show’s legacy and the strong bonds formed among the cast during its run.