We compare the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process for the Gaussian unitary ensemble to its non-hermitian counterpart—for the complex Ginibre ensemble. We exploit the mathematical framework based on the generalized Green’s functions, which involves a new, hidden complex variable, in comparison to the standard treatment of the resolvents. This new variable turns out to be crucial to understand the pattern of the evolution of non-hermitian systems. The new feature is the emergence of the coupling between the flow of eigenvalues and that of left/right eigenvectors. We analyze local and global equilibria for both systems. Finally, we highlight some unexpected links between both ensembles.