Who would have thought a drama about a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) could be so funny? “Dear Hyeri” takes a bold approach, using DID as a comedic device while also exploring the serious implications of the condition. It’s a balancing act that’s not always executed perfectly, but it’s undeniably entertaining.
And then there’s the love triangle (or should we say love square?) that keeps us guessing. Eun-ho, Hyeri, Hyun-oh, and Ji-on form a complex web of relationships that’s as tangled as a ball of yarn. It’s a love story that’s both heartwarming and frustrating, filled with misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and a whole lot of drama.
So, what have we learned so far? Well, for starters, we’ve learned that life is full of surprises. We’ve learned that even the most serious of topics can be treated with humor. And we’ve learned that love is a complicated thing, full of twists and turns that can leave you feeling both hopeful and heartbroken.
TL;DR
- The drama follows Eun-ho, who has Dissociative Identity Disorder, leading two distinct lives as Eun-ho and Hyeri.
- Eun-ho and her ex-boyfriend, Hyun-oh, share a complicated love-hate relationship, with unresolved feelings on both sides.
- Eun-ho starts dating her colleague Ji-on, who has had a long-standing crush on her, adding complexity to her love life.
- Hyeri’s impulsive actions bring her close to announcer Joo-yeon, forming an unlikely bond.
- The portrayal of Dissociative Identity Disorder is largely inaccurate, reducing a complex condition to a plot device.
- The show explores themes like love, heartbreak, identity, and the messiness of relationships.
- Key takeaway: Life and love are messy, and embracing imperfections is part of the journey.

“Dear Hyeri” gives us all the drama, chaos, and questionable decision-making one could ask for—and then some. Featuring a woman with dissociative identity disorder (DID), who leads two very different lives, this drama might just leave you with more questions than answers. But there’s something about its offbeat heroine and her unpredictable world that keeps you coming back, even if it feels like watching a car crash in slow motion. Let’s unpack this, shall we?
Two Lives, One Face: Meet Eun-ho and Hyeri
In “Dear Hyeri,” we follow Joo Eun-ho (played by Shin Hye-sun), a brash and fiery announcer with a complicated past and an even more complicated present. As it turns out, Eun-ho lives another life—a bubbly, cheerful parking attendant named Joo Hyeri. The catch? Eun-ho isn’t just living a double life; she has Dissociative Identity Disorder. Enter Hyeri, the other half of Eun-ho who has no recollection of her counterpart’s existence. Imagine living one life as a struggling announcer and the other as a chirpy parking lot attendant—it’s a wild ride, to say the least.
In the premiere, we’re introduced to both Eun-ho’s and Hyeri’s lives. It’s chaotic and rushed, with a tone that swings between lighthearted comedy and deep drama. But here’s the rub: the serious nature of Eun-ho’s mental health condition is glossed over in favor of making her life into some kind of absurd soap opera. It’s not quite the sensitive portrayal of DID that we hoped for. Still, it’s early in the series, and there’s time for improvement—maybe.

DID Done Wrong: Dramaland, We Need to Talk
Let’s get real for a moment: how “Dear Hyeri” handles Dissociative Identity Disorder is problematic at best. It seems like the writers decided that Eun-ho having DID would be a neat plot twist without bothering to accurately portray what DID is all about. Instead, the disorder feels like a gimmick, conveniently creating two characters who pop in and out at scheduled times—4:00 am and 4:00 pm sharp, as if mental health works on a clock. This feels less like an exploration of a complex condition and more like an easy way to throw in extra plot twists.
Imagine if they had taken a different approach. The drama could have explored what it’s like to live with DID, showing both the struggles and triumphs of navigating such a condition. Instead, it’s more of an excuse for funny situations and dramatic misunderstandings. Is it too much to ask for some accuracy in the portrayal of mental health?
The Ex-Files: A Relationship Built on Snark
Moving beyond the problematic portrayal of DID, let’s talk about Eun-ho’s love life. Back in 2015, Eun-ho and her boyfriend, Jung Hyun-oh (played by Lee Jin-wook), were madly in love. Fast forward to the present, and their love has turned into passive-aggressive jabs and not-so-subtle disdain. Both are announcers at a broadcast station, with Hyun-oh considered the talented golden boy while Eun-ho remains in the shadows.
Yet, it’s clear as day: these two are far from over each other. Eun-ho insists she hates Hyun-oh, but it’s that specific kind of hate that only exists when there are lingering feelings. And Hyun-oh? Well, he keeps giving her opportunities to boost her career, despite claiming he wants nothing to do with her. Sounds like someone’s not quite as detached as they pretend to be.
The truth is, Eun-ho’s disdain for Hyun-oh is just her way of coping with heartbreak. She wanted marriage; he didn’t. What’s left is the mess of trying to move on while still being thrown together daily.

A New Love Interest… Sort Of
Enter Moon Ji-on (Kang Sang-joon), Eun-ho’s younger colleague who’s had a crush on her for what feels like forever. He’s intrigued by her fiery personality, and she, somewhat reluctantly, agrees to go on a date with him. It’s a date that quickly turns into a work excursion—oh, the romance! Ji-on seems undeterred by the fact that Eun-ho isn’t exactly over Hyun-oh. He’s determined to give their relationship a shot, even after she tells him point-blank that she “hates” Hyun-oh only because she can’t have him.
At least Ji-on’s persistence is admirable, if a bit naïve. His affection seems genuine, and it makes for an interesting contrast with the complicated, toxic dynamic between Eun-ho and Hyun-oh. But is Ji-on really ready for what Eun-ho brings to the table? Or does he just like the idea of taming the wild card?
Hyeri’s Chaotic World: From Crushes to Crisis
On the flip side, we have Hyeri. She works as a parking attendant and is hopelessly crushing on news announcer Kang Joo-yeon (Kang Hoon). She’s shy, awkward, and downright terrified of talking to him. But when a protester attacks Joo-yeon with a pickaxe (yes, a pickaxe), Hyeri springs into action, saving him in the most absurd way possible—by slapping a box over the assailant’s head and dragging Joo-yeon away.
And just when you think she’s done enough, she kisses him—no warning, no reason, just a random kiss. Naturally, Joo-yeon is stunned. The entire situation is bizarre, but somehow, it works for Hyeri’s quirky personality. She’s impulsive, driven by her emotions, and doesn’t quite think things through. It’s chaotic, but in a weird way, it’s also endearing.
Plot Twists Galore: DID Takes Center Stage
Hyeri’s therapist eventually reveals that she is actually Eun-ho, and that she’s been diagnosed with DID. But the way the drama treats this revelation is, well, confusing at best. It’s as though Eun-ho and Hyeri are two completely separate people, with Hyeri being a made-up identity—possibly created due to grief over her sister’s death. Except that’s not how DID works. Once again, the disorder is used more as a plot device than a genuine exploration of a mental health issue.
And then there’s the whole “switching at 4:00 am and 4:00 pm” thing. Really? It’s a convenient way to keep Eun-ho’s and Hyeri’s lives from intersecting too much, but it makes no sense from a mental health standpoint. The whole situation feels too neatly packaged—real life, and real mental health, are far messier than this.

The Unlikely Romance: Hyeri and Joo-yeon
Now, let’s talk about the whirlwind romance between Hyeri and Joo-yeon. After Hyeri’s surprise kiss, Joo-yeon confronts her to demand an explanation. She can’t even form words and ends up bursting into tears—somehow, her over-the-top display softens Joo-yeon’s anger, and he finds her behavior “intriguing.”
What follows is a strange series of events where Joo-yeon invites Hyeri to his home to chat, shares his personal family trauma, and even lets her sleep over. All this after just their second conversation. One has to wonder: does Joo-yeon lack any kind of judgment? Or is he really that taken by her eccentricity? It’s certainly a stretch, but hey, this is Dramaland.
My Take on “Dear Hyeri”: The Good, The Bad, and The Cringe
There’s a lot going on in “Dear Hyeri,” and it’s not always easy to follow. The pacing is uneven, the tone is all over the place, and the portrayal of mental health leaves a lot to be desired. But at the same time, there’s something captivating about the messiness of it all.
The characters are flawed, sometimes unlikeable, and often make questionable choices—but isn’t that what makes them feel human? Eun-ho’s and Hyun-oh’s dysfunctional relationship is a reminder that love doesn’t always end just because it should. Sometimes, it lingers, and we’re left trying to figure out how to navigate the aftermath. Ji-on’s unrequited love for Eun-ho is also a familiar tale of putting yourself out there, even when the outcome seems bleak.
And then there’s Hyeri. Sure, her actions are sometimes borderline stalker-ish, and the way Joo-yeon responds to her advances doesn’t always make sense. But there’s something relatable about her awkwardness and her desire to break out of her mundane routine.
“As I watched ‘Dear Hyeri,’ I couldn’t help but feel like I was caught up in the same whirlwind as Eun-ho. Her struggle between two identities felt like an exaggerated, yet somehow relatable version of the chaos I face every day—trying to balance my professional persona with who I really am. Sure, the portrayal of her disorder might be over the top, but isn’t that what drama is for? It’s messy, it’s flawed, but it reminds me that no one has it all figured out. And when Hyun-oh still looked at her with that softness, despite all the complications, it made me believe that love, even when broken, is worth holding onto.”
Name: Min-jun Lee
Age: 27
Location: Busan, South Korea

What Can We Learn from “Dear Hyeri”?
If there’s one thing “Dear Hyeri” teaches us, it’s that life is complicated. Emotions are messy, relationships are unpredictable, and sometimes, we don’t get the happily-ever-after we want. Instead, we get something far less perfect but perhaps more honest.
Here are a few life lessons we can take away from the drama:
- Love Is Messy: Whether it’s Eun-ho and Hyun-oh’s toxic dynamic or Ji-on’s unrequited feelings, love is rarely neat and tidy. It’s full of ups and downs, misunderstandings, and moments of vulnerability. Embrace the mess, because it’s a part of what makes love so real.
- Being True to Yourself Isn’t Always Easy: Eun-ho is struggling to be the person she wants to be, while Hyeri is trying to figure out who she is. It’s okay to feel lost sometimes; the important thing is to keep moving forward.
- Don’t Let Past Relationships Define You: Eun-ho might still be hung up on Hyun-oh, but that doesn’t mean she has to let her past dictate her future. Moving on is hard, but it’s possible.