Hyeri reflects on past acting criticism, thanks Jo Jung Suk for support

Hyeri recently opened up about the acting criticism she faced while filming the 2017 MBC drama 'Two Cops', expressing gratitude to co-star Jo Jung Suk for his unwavering support during that difficult period.

In a video uploaded to 'Hyeri''s official YouTube channel on May 29, 2026 (KST), Jo Jung Suk appeared as a guest to look back on their time working together.

Reflecting on the drama, Hyeri confessed, "At the time, I was really bad at acting. I'm not saying I'm great now either, but back then I was especially lacking." She added that Jo Jung Suk "never scolded her even once," expressing both gratitude and a lingering sense of regret over the challenges she faced on set.

Jo Jung Suk responded by praising her work ethic, noting how deeply he respected her dedication. He recalled seeing her become frustrated when things did not go as planned, sometimes becoming emotional and even shedding tears during intense preparation.

The two also discussed the specific wave of criticism that emerged immediately after the drama's premiere. According to Jo Jung Suk, Hyeri was deeply hurt by viewers' negative reactions and became visibly emotional during a morning rehearsal.

"I remember she started crying during rehearsal after seeing the criticism following the broadcast," he shared. "So I told everyone, 'Let's take a short break and continue a little later.'"

Hyeri noted that she was able to quickly calm down in her car afterward, though she expressed regret that she had been too overwhelmed at the time to fully appreciate Jo Jung Suk's acting while working right alongside him.

Even after the conclusion of 'Two Cops', Jo Jung Suk consistently defended Hyeri against public backlash. In past media interviews, he stated that he personally found her performance to be highly commendable, suggesting that any early criticism may have simply stemmed from initial adjustments to how the character fit within the overarching drama.

At the time, he also expressed strong confidence in her future career, describing Hyeri as a talented performer with immense potential for growth and development.