Lately, the internet has been buzzing with a popular conspiracy theory about Dear X: that male lead Yoon Jun Seo (played by Kim Young Dae) isn’t a victim of Baek Ah Jin’s (Kim Yoo Jung) manipulations, but rather the true puppet master pulling the strings. This fan theory flips the power dynamic, suggesting that Jun Seo has been controlling Ah Jin all along.
While intriguing, this theory doesn’t quite hold up when fact-checked against the original webtoon Dear X is based on. Korean drama adaptations are known to remain largely faithful to key turning points from source material, making major deviations unlikely.
The theory gained traction in China before spreading to international fan circles. Chinese netizens, known for their sharp analytical takes, speculated that Jun Seo might be the “real villain” behind the chaos. His book, titled Accomplice Y, references both himself and Baek Ah Jin, leading many to suggest that if he is “Y”, then Ah Jin must be “X”.
Further fueling the speculation is the drama’s promotional poster, where Jun Seo’s arm forms an “X” across Ah Jin’s body. Throughout the series, characters who fall at Ah Jin’s hands are often visually associated with the X-symbol, reinforcing the idea that the two leads are intertwined in a mutual manipulation game—each being the other’s “X”.
Jun Seo’s calculating expressions and stoic demeanor hint that he may be orchestrating events behind the scenes, letting Ah Jin believe she’s in control when she’s actually just a pawn.
However, fans of the webtoon know this theory is a misdirection. In the original story, Jun Seo is not the ultimate villain nor does he mastermind every detail. Still, the interpretation of the “X” symbolism is partially correct: the two characters are each other’s downfall and obsession.
Realizing Ah Jin’s dangerous descent into power lust and moral decay, Jun Seo ultimately chooses to betray her not out of malice, but in an attempt to wake her up. He exposes her misdeeds through a program, aiming to force her redemption. But Ah Jin doesn’t yield. Instead, she attempts suicide by jumping into a river, only to be rescued by Jae Oh (Kim Do Hoon), who disappears with her.
Jun Seo is left devastated as his actions have pushed Ah Jin to the edge. With no trace of her, he spirals into despair and even attempts suicide himself, but survives. Later, during a signing event, Ah Jin appears briefly with a child implied to be his before vanishing again, using this as a form of psychological revenge, depriving him of the chance to be a father.
Korean screenwriters rarely make drastic changes when adapting webtoons. They typically remove outdated or sensitive scenes while keeping pivotal plot twists intact. So far, Dear X has stayed relatively close to its source, and it’s likely the betrayal twist will remain unchanged.
However, fans hope the ending for Baek Ah Jin will be adjusted. In the webtoon, despite her public fall and exile, she ultimately lives a quiet life a resolution many feel is too lenient for her actions. With the drama halfway through its run, viewers remain eager to see whether the K-drama version delivers a more satisfying, morally resonant conclusion.
Sources: HHT
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