Episode 2 of "Dear Hyeri" delicately unfolds with a poignant glimpse into the inseparable bond between Eun-ho and her younger sibling, Hyeri. While Eun-ho exudes a certain composure, Hyeri is a shy yet vibrant soul, their connection so profound that Eun-ho's tears mirror Hyeri's every sorrow.
As the narrative shifts to the present, Hyeri adamantly denies her identity as Eun-ho to both Hyun-oh and her psychiatrist, citing a childhood scar on her hand as proof of their separateness, despite its absence. The psychiatrist gently introduces the notion of dissociative identity disorder (DID), but Hyeri, who has chronicled her thoughts on the matter, finds the diagnosis misguided.
At the precise hours of 4 a.m. and 4 p.m., a seamless transition occurs, as Eun-ho and Hyeri each embark on their respective lives after a profound slumber. At dawn, Eun-ho steps into her office, only to find Ji-on's distant demeanor a constant reminder of her rejection of his affections. As Eun-ho retires to rest, Hyeri awakens at dusk, embracing her role as a cheerful parking attendant. She skillfully evades Joo-yeon's search, believing that following intimacy, avoidance is the natural progression, all while meticulously filling her jar with the 1,000th paper star.
As evening deepens, Joo-yeon reappears, confronting Hyeri about their fleeting kiss, his words laced with hostility. Hyeri, overwhelmed by fear, finds herself on the verge of tears, prompting Joo-yeon to abandon her to her solitude. Left alone, Hyeri's heart aches with the realization that her approach had been fundamentally flawed, a painful lesson etched into the fabric of their unfinished story.
The alternating routine between Hyeri and Eun-ho persists, with a pivotal moment arising when Hyeri, on her subsequent visit to work, presents Joo-yeon with a jar brimming with paper stars, accompanied by a heartfelt note confessing her affection and the reason behind her impulsive kiss. Joo-yeon's memory is stirred, recalling Hyeri's considerate assistance with parking and her unwavering support for others at work. Touched by her kindness, he reconsiders the situation and seeks her out once more.
As the air between them clears, Hyeri ensures a conducive atmosphere for their conversation by inviting herself over to Joo-yeon's abode. There, the veil of vulnerability is lifted, revealing that Joo-yeon's older brother's passing has cast a profound shadow over his mother's psyche. Hyeri, with empathy etched on her face, offers comfort and stays by his side through the night.
The tranquility is shattered when Eun-ho awakens, startled, in Joo-yeon's house. Recognizing him through his ID card abandoned on the table, she hastily gathers her belongings and flees to her office.
At the station, Hyun-oh makes an uncharacteristic gesture, declining a prime assignment to grant it to Eun-ho, a decision met with reluctant acquiescence from his colleagues. During the shoot, Eun-ho's world turns upside down as she stumbles upon a ghastly discovery—a lifeless body within the chilling confines of a truck freezer. Trapped and panicking, she nearly reaches out to Hyun-oh for aid but mistakenly sends her plea to her crew instead.
Meanwhile, the main writer, resentful over Eun-ho's acquisition of her story, drowns her sorrows in alcohol and dismisses the urgent message. Miraculously, a crew member intervenes, freeing Eun-ho from her icy prison. As she emerges, she witnesses Hyun-oh arriving with the police, prompting her to ponder why he chose to respond when she had initially contacted the writer. The episode concludes with this enigmatic question lingering in the air, adding a layer of intrigue to their already complex dynamic.
