Crash Landing ‘I do’
Just like in the beginning of 2020, when the COVID pandemic was rearing its deadly head, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, lead stars of the hit K-drama Crash Landing on You (CLOY), are easing pains, stalling divisiveness and spreading the love (instead of election-related vitriol), with the announcement of their forthcoming wedding.
Yes, what fans didn’t get in CLOY, they’re getting in real life. A wedding. Now, how cool is that?
Many credit CLOY for keeping them sane with all those happy feelings and its kilig ending in the first weeks of the pandemic, making the lockdown bearable and actually enjoyable. The binging on all 16 episodes of the cross-border romance was guilt-free, because one had no choice but to stay at home without filing a vacation leave.
Behind-the-scenes footage of the filming of CLOY and the undeniable chemistry of the so-called “RiRi” couple, the alleged holding hands under the table, made many wonder if the cross-border romance onscreen had become a cross-reel romance as well.
At first glance, Hyun Bin and Ye-jin were not affectionate at all during the Baeksang Awards (May 2020) but playbacks show subtle hints that there was already something between them. But then, we all know how screen loveteams can be promoted and exploited, so we dared not hope.
I’m going to take the important decision of marriage and step carefully in the second act of my life. I have made a promise with the one who always makes me smile. To walk with her together in the future.
Then came the confirmation on Jan. 1, 2021 that indeed, Hyun Bin and Ye-jin were dating. Another welcome news that gave people hope in a season of grief and uncertainty.
And last week, the news fans (quite a legion) were waiting for, hoping for. In separate announcements via Instagram Hyun Bin and Ye-jin announced the good, nay, the great, news. Hyun Bin and Ye-jin are tying the knot. The happy ending of CLOY was actually a beginning.
Not in Switzerland, their happy place in CLOY, but in Seoul, according to MS entertainment, Ye-jin’s agency.
The very private couple — they were hardly photographed together while dating and were seen onscreen perhaps only once, in the Smart commercial — were also very discreet, refined and polished in their announcement.
Instead of a photo showing their faces, Hyun Bin posted a photo of them holding hands tightly, in a screenshot from one of the final scenes from CLOY. It was symbolic, because he was illustrating the bond between them, and how they hoped to spend the rest of their lives together.
Here is one translation of his handwritten profession/confession, by Pinkvilla:
“Hello, this is Hyun Bin. Are you all keeping well? I wrote this because I wanted to relay the most important decision of my life, first, to the fans who cared for me who was lacking in many ways, and gave me a lot of interest and love. I am sure some of you can guess, right? Yes. I’m going to take the important decision of marriage and step carefully in the second act of my life. I have made a promise with the one who always makes me smile. To walk with her together in the future. Jung Hyuk and Seri, who were together in the work are going to take another step together. I think you will happily support our first step with the warm and affectionate gaze you have been looking at us upon, so far. I hope everyone is healthy and happy until the day we can meet and say hello.”
Ye-jin for her part, was equally discreet, posting a photo of a miniature wedding dress on a hanger. It wasn’t an in-your-face announcement from her either.
She wrote in both Korean and English, complete with emojis, at that:
“I thought long and hard about how to share this story because it’s an important one. I found someone to spend the rest of my life with. Yes… it’s him. Boy meets girl, recognizes each other in the crowd, promises to build a future together… I couldn’t imagine! It happened so naturally… But, isn’t that destiny?
“Just being with him, I feel warm and protected. Please help us celebrate the beginning of our future. And to my dearest fans, I have received unconditional love and for a long time now, I thought, there’s no way to repay it. Please know that I’m infinitely grateful and I also wish you all happiness!”
Ye-jin’s agency also gave a formal statement, putting all doubts to rest:
“Hello. This is MS Team Entertainment. We are informing you about the marriage announcement regarding Son Ye-jin that was revealed today (Feb. 10). As was announced on social media, Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin have made a promise to live their lives in the future as partners. The two of them, who have been dating with the warm support and attention of many, plan to have their wedding ceremony in March somewhere in Seoul. Due to the pandemic, seeing as it is a difficult time for everyone, they will have a private ceremony with only the parents and acquaintances from both sides. We ask for your generous understanding about this. We hope that you will send blessings and support for the couple’s future as they make a special and precious start in life and we will work hard so that you can see better sides of her, in order repay the love you have sent Son Ye-jin.”
“Best news this year!” gushed grief coach Cathy Babao in her social media account.
“I am sooooo kilig!” designer Len Cabili added.
My niece Trish Sotto said, “I am crying! Am hyperventilating!”
“Oh my heart!” said another fan.
Dr. Theresa Yu, a psychiatrist, who belongs to a group called K Drama Mama Docs, which is composed of 180 accomplished doctors, told me: “(It’s) a fairy tale come true. Someone said it is our version of the royal wedding. Truly everyone is happy for the couple. A rewatch of CLOY is in order.”
Which is exactly what I started to do last night. I stopped in Episode 3 before sweet slumber.
Why all this joy and buzz on the BinJin wedding?
“It shows that fairy-tale weddings are possible,” says Dr. Yu.
A March wedding in Seoul for Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin seems like the epilogue to Crash Landing on You.