Once predicted as a healing masterpiece for the autumn season, Dear Hyeri sadly infuriated viewers as it neared its conclusion, with a script criticized for trivializing dissociative identity disorder.
It’s hard to understand how Dear Hyeristarted with such a promise, it has arrived at its current state. In the first six episodes, Shin Hye Sun showed her prowess as a ratings queen by successfully portraying the contrasting characters of Joo Eun Ho and Hyeri within the same persona.
While Joo Eun Ho still harbors feelings for her 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; the portrayal of dissociative identity disorder was also presented from a scientific perspective which allowed viewers to empathize with the two men who love a woman struggling with mental health issues.
All of this, however, seems to have taken a backseat as the last few episodes have turned Dear Hyeri in a simple love triangle. The script relied on Eun Ho’s plight of hurting the male supporting character, only to randomly reunite the main couple. In an aired scene, when Hyun Oh finds out about Eun Ho’s illness and his relationship with Joo Yeon, his main concern is whether the two are still dating. It is only when the male supporting character points out that Hyun Oh should worry about the female protagonist’s health rather than her romantic life that Hyun Oh seems to care.
Previously, Hyun Oh had already irritated viewers with his selfishness, breaking up with the female lead while trying to stop her from moving forward. He would often say hurtful things to her, all while the script described his actions as “good for the female protagonist”. It seemed like Hyun Oh and Eun Ho would never have a chance to be together again, yet audiences were shocked when she ultimately chose to reunite with her ex, culminating in a kiss right where they parted ways. The emotional backdrop and cinematography were teeming with feelings, but viewers felt dissatisfied, flooding the 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, imitating Hyeri’s words and gestures to make Joo Yeon smile. This action does not provide healing; instead it seems like an insult, “rubbing salt into the wounds” of the male secondary character, who sincerely loved the second identity of the female protagonist. Even the last greeting handshake was interrupted by the arrival of the male protagonist. Both Joo Yeon and Hyun Oh seem comfortable with their choices, while Joo Yeon has no choice but to endure the pain of her situation, continuously hurt by the main couple, leading to even harsher criticism towards Dear Hyeri.
