Oh, My Dearest, you really dragged me through the emotional trenches with this one.
Just when I thought I had this love triangle—or should I say love labyrinth—figured out, the drama threw me a curveball. I braced myself for the usual love triangle shenanigans.
But what I got was a tangled, heart-wrenching mess that left me questioning my own emotional resilience.
I totally thought Ryang Eum would be just another side character, probably throwing heart eyes at Gil Chae like the rest. But nope—plot twist—his heart was completely and utterly devoted to someone else.
The Deep, Unspoken Love: Ryang Eum And Jang Hyun
While the central romance of My Dearest revolved around Gil Chae and Jang Hyun, Ryang Eum’s heart was locked on just one person—Lee Jang Hyun.
Yep, you heard me. I had to pause the drama just to process it.
Ryang Eum’s feelings for Jang Hyun weren’t just about loyalty or friendship—they ran much deeper.
Ryang Eum’s feelings for Jang Hyun weren’t just about loyalty or friendship—they ran much deeper. This wasn’t just a case of a devoted sidekick looking out for his master. His emotions were laced with yearning, jealousy, and a desperate need for belonging that went far beyond what we usually see in historical dramas.
More Than Just Devotion
The second Ryang Eum showed up, I had a feeling something was different. His eyes followed Jang Hyun like a lovesick puppy trailing its owner, and trust me, I clocked it immediately. But as the episodes unfolded, it became painfully clear that this wasn’t just a mentor-protégé relationship.
- Jealousy? Check. Ryang Eum couldn’t hide his frustration whenever Jang Hyun and Gil Chae grew closer. The tension? Palpable.
- Fear of abandonment? Absolutely. Every time Jang Hyun pulled away, Ryang Eum clung to him harder.
- A “Creepy” Love Confession? Yep. The moment that sent shivers down my spine? When Jang Hyun, drowning in his existential crisis, muttered, “I don’t belong anywhere.” And Ryang Eum, not missing a beat, hit him with “Right. You don’t belong anywhere. But wherever you are, I belong to your side.” Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.(Uh, hello? If that’s not next-level emotional attachment, I don’t know what is.)
Unrequited, Complicated, And Heartbreaking
The most gut-wrenching part? Jang Hyun didn’t return his feelings.
Not in a romantic way, at least. While Jang Hyun cared for Ryang Eum, it was clear that his love was more of a brotherly or protective kind. And that made Ryang Eum’s emotions even more painful to watch.
It wasn’t just unrequited love—it was a desperate, all-consuming need to be the most important person in Jang Hyun’s life.
It wasn’t just unrequited love—it was a desperate, all-consuming need to be the most important person in Jang Hyun’s life. And as Jang Hyun’s love for Gil Chae deepened, Ryang Eum found himself pushed further and further into the shadows.
The Final Act Of Devotion
Even with all the heartbreak and emotional chaos, Ryang Eum never wavered.
He stayed loyal to the very end.
In the opening episode, set in 1659, a man with long white hair is shown imprisoned, repeatedly mentioning Jang Hyun’s name.
Though the series never outright confirms it, many viewers speculate that this is Ryang Eum, institutionalized due to his unwavering fixation on Jang Hyun. This tragic possibility only deepens the heartbreak of his unfulfilled love and his inability to move on.
Additionally, his jealousy towards Gil Chae wasn’t just silent suffering. At times, his actions indirectly endangered her, making his emotional conflict even more painful to watch. He didn’t just want Jang Hyun’s attention—he struggled with the reality that someone else had taken the place he so desperately wanted in Jang Hyun’s life.
Despite his jealousy and inner turmoil, Ryang Eum remained faithful to the end.
Despite his jealousy and inner turmoil, Ryang Eum remained faithful to the end.
In true My Dearest fashion (because why let anyone have an easy love story?), Ryang Eum’s love translated into ultimate sacrifice.
In true My Dearest fashion (because why let anyone have an easy love story?), Ryang Eum’s love translated into ultimate sacrifice. He was willing to fight, bleed, and even die for Jang Hyun. And honestly, that made his story one of the most devastatingly tragic ones in the drama.
Why This Storyline Matters In Korean Historical Dramas
Ryang Eum’s love for Jang Hyun wasn’t your typical K-drama romance, and understanding it through a historical and cultural lens makes it even more heartbreaking. It was raw, painful, and, in many ways, ahead of its time in historical storytelling.
In Joseon-era Korea, love was rarely about personal happiness. Arranged marriages, strict Confucian values, and societal expectations made it nearly impossible for someone like Ryang Eum to openly express his emotions, let alone act on them.
But did that stop him? Not for a second.
His unwavering devotion mirrors the tragic reality of many individuals throughout Korean history who had to suppress their true feelings due to rigid social structures.
This is why Ryang Eum’s story is so impactful.
It’s not just about love, but about the loneliness and sacrifice of those who dared to love outside of what was deemed acceptable. And that, my fellow drama lovers, is peak K-drama heartbreak.
Final Thoughts
So, let’s get straight to it—who really had Ryang Eum’s heart? Lee Jang Hyun—completely, heartbreakingly, and without limits.
And while he never got the love he longed for, he loved fully, fiercely, and without regret—which, makes the epic story bittersweet in the world of My Dearest.
What do you think? Did Ryang Eum’s love story wreck you as much as it did me? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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