‘It hurt’

Han and Can are shocked by claims they’ve copied Alicia and Sonny in this week’s episodes of The Block. So much so that Han considers walking off site – for good.

“Being accused of something I knew we hadn’t done was overwhelming,” geologist Han tells TV WEEK. “Personal conflict is hard for me. I wear my heart on my sleeve and care deeply about others, so the idea that my integrity might be questioned was upsetting.”
Han reaches breaking point. (Credit: Nine)
Han, 29, was unwell when the bathhouse challenge was originally introduced, which just adds insult to injury for her.

“I was in hospital during the bathhouse challenge,” Han adds.

“I’ve always valued originality, so the idea that we’d copy someone else’s work was upsetting. I believed Sonny and Alicia knew we cared about others and wanted everyone to do well. In that moment, it hurt to think they might believe otherwise.”

Can, 31, who wasn’t there for the initial showdown, offers an apology to Alicia, which ends up backfiring when that apology seems like a potential admission of guilt.
Alicia and Sonny don’t like “liars”. (Credit: Nine)

“When I returned and saw how upset Han was, I wanted to understand what had happened,” reveals marketing analyst Can.

“I apologised to Alicia for any misunderstanding.”

Since cameras are always rolling on site, will it be proven that the girls “copied” Alicia and Sonny’s idea? And will this be the end of The Block site being one big happy family?

As for how the lovebirds from Perth, Western Australia, met? That was just over a year ago on an online dating app but the pair admit they are often confused as ‘sisters’ or ‘best friends’ – and coming out is something they do daily.
(Credit: Nine)
“We’ve had to get used to coming out on national TV and being loud and proud about our relationship and our love,” Can says.

“It’s been empowering,” added Han. “Let’s show Australia who gay women are – just normal people who can achieve great things.”

It doesn’t mean the journey of coming out wasn’t difficult for the glamorous duo, despite both their families being very supportive when they did.

“It was a scary time back in 2009,” Can recalled. “Being gay was still a negative in school, and you were definitely an outlier.”

This week on The Block, its Kids Room week – and while Han and Can dream of having kids someday, for now they’re focused on looking after their three fur babies and making the next step.
Can and Han met on a dating site in 2024. (Credit: CH9)
“The next thing for us would be getting engaged, if we can afford a ring… If we earn any money [from The Block]!” Han said with a laugh.

How the pair winded up on Australia’s beloved renovation series was due to what they bonded over on their first date.

“We’ve both been lifelong fans of The Block – we bonded over renovation on our first date (romantic, we know). We joked about going on the show one day, and now here we are, high-vis and all,” they said.

“We’re both obsessed with design, construction, and proving that women can absolutely nail it in this space. We’re excited to push ourselves and show Australia what “Handy-Han” and “Can-Do-Can” are made of.
(Credit: Nine)
“We’re yin and yang. Or more like a cordless drill and a hammer – different functions, but together we get the job done.”

Both being well versed in construction and real estate means they may be a force to be reckoned with amongst the teams. .

“Han grew up on building sites helping her dad with his renovation business, while Can has merged her mum’s influence as an artist and her dad’s handy-man skills, to apply her own creativity to properties and DIY,” they said.

The couple are actually renovating their own home, a Californian bungalow located in Perth – a project they’ve put on hold to compete in the 21st season of The Block.
(Credit: Nine)
While competing on the Channel Nine renovation series was undoubtedly a “dream” for Han and Can, but there were some aspects of filming that they didn’t quite expect.

“The emotional toll,” they confessed to TV WEEK. “Working all day every day has on you, with no privacy. Watching from the couch just doesn’t do it justice!”

“People will always have opinions – it’s TV! But we’ve gained a new family in our fellow contestants, and only they know the full picture. We’ve got each other’s backs, and that’s all that matters.”