Yun Ja Yu (Han Hyo Joo) serves as the CEO of Blood Free (BF), a company specializing in cultured meat in the Korean drama Blood Free. He stands as one of Korea’s most influential business figures, having mastered the primary industry with his company’s innovative technology that produces cruelty-free meat.
Despite his reputation as a successful entrepreneur, Yun Ja Yu’s personal life is far from smooth sailing. Facing disapproval from many quarters, he harbors a mysterious past, including his motivation for pioneering artificial meat production without animal blood. Here are three key revelations about Yun Ja Yu’s background in the Korean drama Blood Free.
Spoiler Alert: Article Contains Plot Details.
1. Has an Identical Twin Sister Afflicted with Mad Cow Disease
In episode 6, Yun Ja Yu engages in a conversation with Woo Chae Woon (Ju Ji Hoon), during which Woo Chae Woon references praise from On San (Lee Mu Saeng) for Yun Ja Yu’s revolutionary impact on human life. However, Yun Ja Yu reveals that his drive for success in the cultured meat industry stems from deeper sources.
Unexpectedly, it is unveiled that Yun Ja Yu has an identical twin sister. Tragically, his sibling contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), akin to mad cow disease in humans, resulting in severe cognitive decline. Witnessing his sister’s heartbreaking deterioration, Yun Ja Yu grapples with the emotional toll of her illness, exacerbated by governmental negligence towards the disease’s origins.
2. Kim Sin Gu’s Plea for Assistance with BF Technology
Kim Sin Gu (Kim Sang Ho), a trusted professor working in BF’s laboratory, finds himself in dire straits when his wife falls seriously ill. Desperate for a solution, he implores Yun Ja Yu to employ BF’s technology in a bid to save her life, sparking controversy over the ethical implications of human testing.
Despite Yun Ja Yu’s efforts, Kim Sin Gu’s wife tragically succumbs to her illness. Surprisingly, Kim Sin Gu displays an unexpected reaction, expressing gratitude towards Yun Ja Yu and BF for their earnest attempts to aid him, devoid of bitterness even in the face of personal loss.
3. Involvement in a Secret Meeting and Witnessing a Bombing
Yun Ja Yu’s influence extends to political circles, as evidenced by his invitation to a clandestine meeting with the president, Lee Mun Gyu (Jeon Kuk Hwan), held abroad approximately one year prior. However, the meeting takes a devastating turn when a bombing rocks the venue, resulting in severe casualties, including President Lee Mun Gyu losing both legs.
In the aftermath, Yun Ja Yu finds himself under suspicion, with President Lee Mun Gyu accusing him of orchestrating the attack. Yet, recent episodes suggest that Yun Ja Yu is haunted by the traumatic events, demonstrating signs of fear when confronted by unknown assailants.
Yun Ja Yu’s enigmatic persona leaves viewers questioning his true intentions in Blood Free, fueling anticipation for forthcoming episodes that may shed light on his character’s moral compass.