The chemistry between Kim Yoo Jung and Hwang In Yeop in the thriller series "Dear X" has captivated audiences, but longtime fans point out their connection goes back to their joint appearance on the 2022 reality program "Youth MT."

According to KBIZoom, viewers have been "shipping" the duo long before their latest collaboration.

"Youth MT," which first aired in 2022, is a camping retreat where several stars from the hit dramas "Love in the Moonlight," "Itaewon Class," and "The Sound of Magic" got together for games and bonding activities. It was on this show that early signs of chemistry between Kim and Hwang were first discussed among fans.

Viewers remember the viral moment when Yoo Jung opened a beer bottle and some foam came spilling over unexpectedly. As an article cited, "While others were frozen in surprise, Hwang In Yeop swiftly reached out to move the bottle away and help her, a small but thoughtful gesture that fans haven't forgotten."

That scene spread quickly online as fans praised Hwang for being so attentive.

Fans were led to remember another important moment when revisiting the show. The segment before the comment that earned notice was established as a part of a forbidden words and actions game.

During the exchange, the article recounts Hwang's question: "What would you think if we acted together in a drama?" Kim said with honesty, "If the opportunity comes, it would be wonderful to work together.."

Even though Hwang was pushed into the water because of the rules of the game, this interaction warmed viewers' hearts and sparked speculation of a possible collaboration.

Three years later, that hope came true with "Dear X," produced by none other than the same TVING team behind "Youth MT." KBIZoom pointed out the coincidence: how this production overlap gave their reunion an unexpected poetic quality.

Meanwhile, Kim Yoo-jung spoke with Sports Chosun about her bold romance scenes in "Dear X," saying she occasionally wondered if the public affection between Baek Ah-jin and Hwang In-yeop's Heo In-gang was "too much," especially the viral livestream moment where he said, "My Ajin, please be pretty."

She explained that these scenes were meant to show how strongly In-gang had fallen for Ajin and to highlight the character's intense, glamorous nature.

Fans were heartbroken by the death of Heo In Kang despite expecting a dramatic ending. The finale indeed sent social media abuzz, with audiences hoping to see the two reunited in either a melodrama or romantic comedy. Many said another dark thriller like "Dear X" would be "too emotionally intense" to get through again.