The full story behind Ha Ji-won's 'text message incident'... Lee Sang-hwa reveals, "Ignored for four weeks, then replied a month later saying, 'I didn't know'"

[Sportschosun, Reporter Kim Su-hyun] Actress Ha Ji-won and former speed skater Lee Sang-hwa opened up honestly about how they first met and what brought them so close so quickly through a YouTube video.

In a video released on the YouTube channel "Class of 26, Jiwon" on the 28th, Ha Ji-won and Lee Sang-hwa appeared together and showed off their close friendship with playful back-and-forth banter.

The two said they first got to know each other through "Neighborhood Friend Kangnami" and quickly became close. Ha Ji-won said, "Lee Sang-hwa is so easy to be around and so funny. If I'm uncomfortable, I can't enjoy the moment, so I guess we just click," highlighting their special chemistry.

Lee Sang-hwa also wondered, "We met in early March. Why did we become so close so quickly?" Her husband, broadcaster Kangnam, has also acknowledged how close the two are.

Ha Ji-won, who said they became close in just two months, shared a special first impression, confessing, "When I first saw you in Japan, I just felt it was meant to be."

Lee Sang-hwa then drew laughter with an unexpected revelation. She teased Ha Ji-won, saying, "Unnie didn't read my text for two weeks. She just doesn't check her messages."

Flustered, Ha Ji-won lowered her head and explained, "I asked Sang-hwa for her number first, but I didn't realize she had texted me."

Lee Sang-hwa continued the playful expose, saying, "There was almost no reply for three to four weeks. Then, four weeks later, she said, 'Oh my, Sang-hwa, I just checked it now.'" Her comment sent the set into laughter.

Ha Ji-won reenacted the moment and lightened the mood by acting genuinely surprised, saying, "When I saw it, I was like, 'Oh! Gosh, what a surprise!'"

Lee Sang-hwa seemed to show a brief hint of hurt, but wrapped things up coolly by saying, "Still, it's okay," showing off the real-life chemistry of two close friends.

shyun@sportschosun.com