The final of the series dives deeper into Moo-jin’s mysterious financial past. When Ae-yeon’s snack bar landlord raised the rent, Moo-jin, desperate to help, took out a large loan to buy a property in a redevelopment zone. Unfortunately, the redevelopment project turned out to be a scam, and Moo-jin’s decision backfired. Loan sharks who were owed money by Moo-jin destroyed Ae-yeon’s snack bar, leaving her business in ruins. With the scammer having fled to Thailand, Moo-jin made it his mission to track him down. For the next decade, Moo-jin wandered through Thailand, taking up various odd jobs to support himself while searching for the man responsible for his and Ae-yeon’s downfall.
Moo-jin’s quest finally paid off when he located the scammer. Along the way, he partnered with a wealthy madam (played by Seo Yi-sook in a cameo role) whose daughter had also been swindled out of 4 billion won. Together, they devised a plan to capture the scammer. After Moo-jin successfully handed over the scammer to the madam, she rewarded him with the entire 4 billion won. Her reasoning? She was more interested in revenge than the money and wanted to help Moo-jin become a better parent. She also felt guilt over her own parenting failures, as her daughter had fallen for the scammer. Additionally, she had been a fan of Moo-jin back when he was a baseball star.
In a symbolic gesture, Moo-jin had the madam’s arm tattoo enlarged and inked on his own arm, covering up a scar from the fight he had with the scammer’s henchmen. This tattoo became part of the lore surrounding Moo-jin’s so-called gangster origins. Despite the rumors, Moo-jin admits that he couldn’t reveal the true source of his wealth because it wasn’t money he earned in a traditional sense. But the truth is, he had worked hard for a decade chasing the scammer, which was no small feat. Plus, when Moo-jin returned to Korea, he made sure to refund the other victims of the scam.
On another front, the secret office romance between Mi-rae and Tae-pyeong gets exposed, sparking jealousy and malicious rumors among their co-workers. The gossip paints Mi-rae as a gold digger benefiting from favoritism because of her relationship with CEO Nam’s son. Though the scandal demoralizes her, Mi-rae resolves to ride out the storm. Surprisingly, her boomer manager is the one to break the tension in the office, while Mi-rae’s team steps up to defend her against the jealous gossipers. Most notably, Mi-rae and Tae-pyeong stay strong, refusing to break up over the rumors. CEO Nam, feeling responsible for the scandal due to his earlier decision to place Tae-pyeong under Mi-rae’s mentorship, apologizes to her. In a surprising twist, he also suggests that Mi-rae should become his daughter-in-law. However, Moo-jin fiercely opposes this idea, angry that Mi-rae has been dragged into workplace drama because of the CEO’s actions. This leads to a hilarious confrontation between the two fathers, both boasting about whose child is better. They even momentarily pause their argument to agree that Mi-rae is the future (mi-rae) of J Plus, a playful nod to her name. Eventually, Mi-rae and Tae-pyeong step in to stop their fathers’ bickering.
Despite being embarrassed by her dad’s outburst, Mi-rae secretly appreciates his protective nature. On the flip side, CEO Nam feels hurt when Tae-pyeong coldly says goodnight and walks away without further acknowledgment. However, the tension between the two is resolved when Moo-jin visits Tae-pyeong to apologize and explain that Nam’s behavior stemmed from his love as a father. This conversation helps Tae-pyeong understand his father’s intentions, leading him to invite Nam out for a drink. During their heartfelt conversation, Tae-pyeong asks Nam why he chose to become his father. Nam reveals that while his initial motivation was a sense of duty, it soon grew into genuine fatherly love. Tae-pyeong expresses his gratitude, telling Nam that he’s lucky to have him as a dad, in a scene that tugs at the heartstrings.
Tae-pyeong also shares his decision to return to being a full-time taekwondo instructor once his internship at J Plus ends. Though he enjoyed the experience of working in a corporate setting, he realizes that it’s not where he belongs. True to his word, CEO Nam respects his son’s decision and doesn’t push him to join the family business.
As for the other characters, Mi-rae earns a well-deserved promotion at work. Moo-jin finds his calling as a children’s baseball coach, and Ae-yeon’s home shopping modeling career begins to flourish. The only unresolved storyline involves Hyun-jae, who feels overlooked by his family. Though he’s often dismissed as the youngest, his feelings are valid. His family eventually apologizes, acknowledging his worth, especially when it comes to business matters. They encourage his entrepreneurial ideas, though they humorously suggest he continue going to job interviews as a safer option.
In the final moments of the series, Jae-geol reconciles with Moo-jin after apologizing for his past behavior, and he even starts a romance with the hairdresser tenant. Househusband Tenant’s web novel, based on Moo-jin’s adventures in Thailand, becomes a hit, and his wife announces that she’s pregnant. There’s speculation among the tenants about whether Moo-jin and Ae-yeon will get back together. While Moo-jin is open to the idea, he assures Ae-yeon that his priority is being there for her and the kids, regardless of their relationship status. Mi-rae, who had previously opposed her parents reuniting, now tells her mom to do whatever makes her happy. She also tells Moo-jin that she no longer holds any resentment toward him and is glad he’s back in her life, a sentiment that moves Moo-jin to tears.
In the end, Ae-yeon decides that she enjoys her independence and doesn’t want to live with Moo-jin again, despite technically being back together with him. Her decision feels realistic given all they’ve been through. The series closes with Mi-rae’s narration, reflecting on how their family has found a balance. Sometimes they’re together, and sometimes they’re apart, but most importantly, they’re all content with where they are in life.
“Romance in the House” offers a charming blend of romance, family dynamics, and comedy. It tells the story of Mi-rae and Tae-pyeong’s workplace romance, with solid character development and heartwarming moments. The relationship between the couple remains strong despite rumors and workplace gossip, making them a likable and resilient duo. One of the show’s highlights is the light-hearted fatherly rivalry between Moo-jin and CEO Nam, which provides comic relief. The show also addresses deeper themes of family, responsibility, and personal growth, giving it more emotional weight.
While the plot can feel somewhat predictable at times, it compensates with genuine emotional moments and humorous subplots. Overall, Romance in the House succeeds in delivering feel-good romance with endearing characters.
Rating: 7.5/10
A solid watch for fans of romantic comedies, with its light tone and engaging character arcs.