Is Hyun Bin's Character In "Crash Landing On You" Based On Kim Jong Un?

By Wei Yin on 26 Feb 2020

Digital Editor

An INFP who enjoys watching sappy Korean dramas in her free time. Good food and cute dogs are all she needs.

Hit K-drama series about a cross-border love story, Crash Landing on You, concluded its run last week but is still as popular as ever!

It seems like fans and netizens alike can't get enough of the show and has resorted to analysing every single detail in a bid to cope with the post-drama syndrome. To our surprise, they have indeed found something interesting after sleuthing around.

Photo from Pinterest

Netizens have been speculating that Ri Jung Hyuk, Hyun Bin's character in Crash Landing on You is based on Kim Jong Un! Yes, you read that right - the North Korean leader.

Before you freak out (or let the beautiful image you have of Ri Jung Hyuk shatter), we know at one glance that the difference is, of course, stark. However, netizens have found four similarities, although no official sources have confirmed this speculation as of yet.

Read on to find out more and judge for yourself!

#1 Studied abroad in Switzerland

Photo from Pinterest

Ri Jung Hyuk studied abroad in Switzerland until his brother's death, after which he returned to North Korea to be an army officer. Many do not know this but Kim Jong Un also spent a portion of his childhood studying in Bern, the capital city of Switzerland where former classmates described him as "funny".

Although Ri Jung Hyuk and Kim Jong Un both studied in Switzerland, other netizens begged to differ that the character is based on Kim because other North Korean officials' children may have also studied abroad but they were just not publicised in the news. The writer for Crash Landing on You could have drawn reference from that instead of basing the character off of Kim.

#2 Brother got assassinated

Photo from Soompi

Ri Jung Hyuk's brother was murdered inexplicably so he had to return to North Korea to take on his brother's role in the family. Kim Jong Un's half-brother Kim Jong Nam also died after being attacked with VX nerve agent, a deadly chemical, in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

#3 Both are musically inclined

Photo from Pinterest

Ri Jung Hyuk was a pianist before he became an army officer upon returning to North Korea. Kim Jong Un is apparently also musically inclined as sources state that he used to get poor grades in school when he was studying in Switzerland but received good marks in only music and technical studies.

#4 Everybody has to give way when they drive

Photo from K-Drama Only

In episode two of Crash Landing on You, Ri Jung Hyuk raced against time and sped home in a car to save Yoon Se Ri. The traffic attendants instantly directed all the other cars on the roads to give way to his car. Rumour has it that Kim Jong Un also loves driving his luxury cars out and that people has to give way whenever he is on the road.

Photo from tvN

Despite some of the similarities between Ri Jung Hyuk and Kim Jong Un, Hyun Bin is actually two years older than Kim, even though we couldn't tell at first.

We personally don't think (and refuse to accept) that Ri Jung Hyuk is based on Kim Jong Un. What are your thoughts? ?

While you are here, check out these six unforgettable and heart-fluttering moments from Crash Landing on You to take a walk down memory lane.

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