Yun Ja Yu (played by Only Hyo Jo) is the driving force behind the storyline of Blood Free (BF) in the Korean drama Blood Free (2024). He made it known to the world that his aim in creating lab-grown meat was to protect nature. He envisioned a world where animals wouldn’t be slaughtered, and farms wouldn’t emit harmful greenhouse gases that harm the planet.
However, in episode 6, the real reason behind Yun Ja Yu’s founding of BF and his fierce defense of it was unveiled. For those eager to learn more, read on for a recap, but beware of spoilers!
Attention: This article contains spoilers.
1. Removing Humans from the Food Chain
still cut Blood Free (instagram.com/disneypluskr)In a heart-to-heart, On San (played by Lee Mu Saeng) reveals Yun Ja Yu’s backstory to Woo Chae Woon (played by Ju Ji Hoon). He recounts how Yun Ja Yu, while studying, witnessed the mass slaughter of pigs due to a disease outbreak. This traumatic event led him to take a hiatus from his studies and travel abroad.
Upon his return, Yun Ja Yu was determined to liberate humans from dependency on animals and plants for food. He aimed to create synthetic food sources, freeing humans from the traditional food chain. Yun Ja Yu believed that by achieving this, humans would become the ultimate dominant species.
2. Human Obsession with Dominance
still cut Blood Free (instagram.com/disneypluskr)Yun Ja Yu’s vision extended beyond food production. He sought to engineer a world where humans no longer relied on other living beings, including animals and plants. Additionally, he aimed to develop medical advancements that would enable humans to combat diseases effectively.
Driven by his altruistic motives, Yun Ja Yu hoped to mass-produce artificial organs, making them affordable and accessible to all.
3. Coping with Personal Tragedy
still cut Blood Free (instagram.com/disneypluskr)Behind Yun Ja Yu’s lofty goals lies a deeply personal tragedy. He confides in Woo Chae Woon about the loss of his younger brother, which profoundly affected him. Yun Ja Yu’s twin sister fell victim to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (commonly known as mad cow disease in humans) after consuming contaminated meat while studying abroad.
Haunted by his inability to save his sister, Yun Ja Yu was consumed by regret. This regret fueled his determination to establish BF, with a mission to produce safe, contamination-free synthetic meat. He also became fixated on developing human organs, driven by the hope of saving lives in similar circumstances.
Unveiling the profound trauma behind Yun Ja Yu’s actions sheds light on his unwavering commitment to BF. Will he be able to navigate the challenges ahead and safeguard his company against external threats? Find out by tuning in to Blood Free!
