In Episode 12, Sa-gang and Young-won talk about Se-na and how her narcissistic behavior and outbursts could potentially be useful in finding her. This is the moment when Young-won chooses not to obey Se-na’s order to read from the script.
During Young-won’s absence at the conference, Sa-gang secretly meets with Tae-o and manipulates him into admitting his hand in Mr An’s death. She records his confession about Se-na’s crimes on her phone and when Tae Oh discovers this, he is appalled. Meanwhile, Se-na’s face is shown to the public during Yeon won’s conference.
Se na is on the wanted list and while she is at the convenience store, quietly gathering groceries she needs without drawing attention, she sees Do-hyeon with So-yi. She abducts him when he is by himself in the restroom and bribngs him to an underground room where she prepares for a calamity.
She contacts Young-won and instructs her to come to the vacation house, warning that she can detonate the location where Do-hyeon is located with a simple press of a button on her phone. Although Young-won is momentarily panicked, the Choi family decides to search all possible places where Do-hyeon could be found because Se-na does not participate in activities that cannot be resolved.
Young-won seeks advice from their family investigator Jung Doo-Man before heading to the vacation house, while Jae-jin thoroughly searches all corners of the orphanage.
Young-min and Seung-jae head to Se-na’s inherited property from one of her husbands, while Kang-sung and Sa-gang make their way to her family home. After searching without success for a period of time, Young-won eventually enters the vacation house and discovers that it is soaked in petroleum.
She talks to Se-na and discusses her new views on the concept of family. She explains that Se-na is not to blame, but rather her obsessive nature and interpretation of love. Se na asks her why she isn’t cutting off her family after their real selves have been exposed but Young won replies that she wants to but in the end, they are her family. Young-won then offers to assist in any way she can.
In the meantime, Sa-gang finds the basement where Do-hyeon is located, and Kang-sung attempts to rescue him from a door that is locked.
Simultaneously, Se-na recognizes that Young-won had been attempting to manipulate her mentally and decides to push the button, resulting in an explosion in the basement of Se-na’s family residence. The two women gets into a fight over as a fire breaks out in the vacation home.
Young-won is in a state of utter despair over the possibility of Do-hyeon’s death when Jae-jin shows up at the vacation home to rescue Young won. He gets a call regarding Do-hyeon’s well-being and tells Young-won about it. Se-na comes to the realization that she is defeated.
Young-won attempts to grasp Se-na and pull her out of the fire, but Se-na chooses to end her life in the fire by dancing amidst the flames, ultimately succumbing to the burning. Young-won passes out and regains consciousness in a hospital, where she discovers that Do-hyeon is okay and her family is by her side.
Dr. Oh, in a manic state, also goes to see the family and tries to harm Sa-gang. Nonetheless, Sa-gang successfully calms her down, causing Dr. Oh to become unconscious. In a different room, Dr. Oh admits to Sa-gang that her only desire was to become a member of Sa-gang’s family more than her love for Jae jin. She desired to be recognised by Sa gang.
Sa-gang offers an apology to her for exploiting her emotions, and they hug each other. Young-won and Jae-jin choose to follow their individual interests without committing themselves fully to a particular passion or person. During her visit to her mother, Young-won discovers that Sa-gang had also been visiting her mother. She thanks her and Sa gang gives her a present she got for her mom.
At the Choi residence, Sa-gang announces her decision to move out, explaining that she believes her family should have the freedom to live their lives without feeling any sense of obligation or pressure. She then suggests that maybe the real essence of love is simply observing the other person. Afterwards, she departs for a place that remains undisclosed even to her son.
One year later, Young-won has left her job and is currently employed as a counselor at the prison. The police have also arrested the true perpetrator responsible for the sexual assault and embezzlement that Young-won’s father was accused of. She goes to see Tae-o and motivates him to start studying once more. It appears that their relationship has gotten better.
Jae-jin went through a disciplinary hearing where he gave up his license and admitted to being accountable for the fraudulent surgical procedures performed at his clinic. He has established a refuge for stray dogs. So-yi has been employed at Young-won’s restaurant under the management of her secretary. Do-hyeon is currently overseas for his studies and has reunited with his friend. They are now in a relationship with each other,
Dr. Oh is now the director of Jae-jin’s clinic and Kyung-tae is finally in a happy and stable relationship with her. Young-min and Seung-jae are managing Kang-sung’s restaurant.
Young-won discovers Sa-gang’s new thriller novel at the bookstore, which is inspired by their family’s experience with Se-na. After following clues from the book, Young-won ultimately locates Sa-gang in the snowy forest, where she is residing on a mountain with Kang-sung.
Upon Young-won’s departure, both women come to understand that families are not flawless and that the root of their issues lies in differing definitions of what it means to be well. She comprehends that there is no such thing as a dysfunctional family; rather, there are simply unrealistic expectations. Her family has made a choice to let go of harmful expectations and act as acquaintances. Their love for each other will continue, even if they are apart. When asked about their well-being, she can confidently respond in a positive manner. In the end, Young-won reflects that falling down wasn’t as terrible as expected while lying on the snowy ground with a smile on her face.
The Series turned out to be better than I thought. I thought I could predict the ending but turned out I couldn’t. It was a good show.
My rating: 7.5/10