Once anticipated as a healing masterpiece for the autumn season, Dear Hyeri has sadly infuriated viewers as it approaches its conclusion, with a script criticized for trivializing dissociative identity disorder.
It’s hard to comprehend how Dear Hyeri, which started off with such promise, has devolved into its current state. In the first six episodes, Shin Hye Sun showcased her prowess as a rating queen by successfully portraying the contrasting characters of Joo Eun Ho and Hyeri within the same person.
While Joo Eun Ho still harbors feelings for his ex, Jung Hyun Oh (Lee Jin Wook), Hyeri is in a relationship with broadcaster Kang Joo Yeon (Kang Hoon). Due to past traumas related to the disappearance of his younger sister, Eun Ho’s emotional state deteriorates, leading to the development of dissociative identity disorder. Initially, the plot points and developments were logical and compelling; even the representation of dissociative identity disorder was presented from a scientific perspective that allowed viewers to empathize with the two men who love a woman struggling with mental health issues.
However, all this seems to have faded into the background as recent episodes have turned Dear Hyeri into a mere love triangle. The script has leaned on Eun Ho’s condition to hurt the male supporting character, only to casually reunite the main couple. In one aired scene, when Hyun Oh discovers Eun Ho’s illness and his connection with Joo Yeon, his main concern is whether the two are still dating. It isn’t until the male supporting character points out that Hyun Oh should be concerned about the female lead’s health rather than her romantic life that Hyun Oh seems to care.
Previously, Hyun Oh had already rubbed viewers the wrong way with his selfishness, breaking up with the female lead while attempting to prevent her from moving on. He would often say hurtful things to her, all while the script portrayed his actions as being “good for the female lead.” It seemed that Hyun Oh and Eun Ho would no longer have a chance to be together, yet audiences were shocked when, in the end, she chose to reunite with her ex, culminating in a kiss at the very spot where they had parted ways. The emotional backdrop and cinematography were teeming with feelings, but viewers were left feeling dissatisfied, flooding comment sections with negative feedback criticizing Eun Ho’s stubbornness and delusion.
And the frustration doesn’t end there. In the latest episode, even without Hyeri’s identity, Eun Ho happily goes out to eat with Joo Yeon, mimicking Hyeri’s words and gestures to make Joo Yeon smile. This action does not provide healing; instead, it feels like an insult, “rubbing salt in the wounds” of the male supporting character, who sincerely loved the female lead’s second identity. Even the final handshake goodbye was interrupted by the male lead’s arrival. Both Joo Yeon and Hyun Oh appear at ease with their choices, while Joo Yeon has no option but to endure the pain of her situation, continuously hurt by the main couple, leading to even more severe criticism of Dear Hyeri.
