In Episode 9 of Cinderella at 2AM, Yoon-seo and Ju-won rekindle their relationship. Ju-won drops Yoon-seo home and sneaks inside for a kiss, but she forces him to leave before Ji-suk arrives. Before leaving, Ju-won asks Yoon-seo for an answer to his marriage proposal.
Later, Yoon-seo brainstorms ways to accept the proposal with her friend I-rae, but most of their ideas feel too over-the-top. Back home, Ji-suk expresses a desire to attend cooking school, and Yoon-seo gives him a bank book containing the savings she’s kept for him.
Yoon-seo then visits the chairwoman to return the money she had received from her, wanting to respond to Ju-won’s proposal without guilt. Despite the gesture, the chairwoman remains opposed to their marriage. The next day, Yoon-seo is relieved of her duties at the company, presumably at the chairwoman’s insistence. Ju-won is furious, but Yoon-seo calms him down.
Seong-min later overhears Yoon-seo’s situation and invites her to his studio to celebrate her newfound free time. During a phone call, Ju-won overhears the celebration and joins them. They all go out to dinner, but Yoon-seo leaves early to visit Ji-suk at his new cooking school. While she is gone, Seong-min and Ju-won drink heavily and bond, with Seong-min admitting that he likes both Yoon-seo and Ju-won.
Meanwhile, Si-won and Mi-jin are having dinner when the topic of Si-won’s former first love comes up, making Mi-jin jealous. She tries to provoke him by bringing up her own past crush, leading to a childish argument. The next day, Si-won apologizes and clarifies his feelings for Mi-jin, who reciprocates, and they officially start their romantic relationship with a kiss.
Drunk, Ju-won mistakenly ends up at his mother’s house instead of a hotel. Encouraged by Seong-min, he finally tells his mother how much he wants to be happy. The next morning, she indirectly gives her approval for the marriage. Ju-won is overjoyed and shares the good news with Yoon-seo. Later, Yoon-seo picks him up from work, and they head to a campsite, where she accepts his proposal by wearing the ring.
In Episode 10, Yoon-seo and Ju-won’s peaceful moment at the campsite is interrupted when news of Ju-won’s father’s scandal surfaces. Ju-won is called back to the office, where he learns that his father has been leading a double life abroad and is now seeking a divorce. This revelation sends shockwaves through the family.
In a surprising twist, the chairwoman reaches out to Yoon-seo and gives her blessing for the marriage on one condition: Yoon-seo must reveal her background to help the company’s public image. She also assigns Yoon-seo the responsibility of overseeing the scholarship fund, telling her to embody the spirit of a true Cinderella.
Yoon-seo shares the news with I-rae, and though she seems calm, she’s worried about Ji-suk. Ji-suk overhears the conversation and confronts Ju-won at the office, calling out his mother’s poor treatment of Yoon-seo. Yoon-seo quickly finds Ji-suk and takes him home.
Later, Yoon-seo and Ju-won meet up with Si-won and Mi-jin to discuss the situation. Si-won apologizes for his mother’s behavior. While Ju-won is still upset, Yoon-seo takes a more compassionate approach, explaining that their mother’s actions likely stem from emotional pain. Moved, the brothers decide to take their mother on a bonding trip to help her feel less isolated.
Their trip, however, is filled with comical mishaps. From vehicle breakdowns to awkward silences, the family realizes they know very little about each other. Amid the chaos, the chairwoman’s lighthearted antics bring unexpected joy. Ju-won reveals that the trip was Yoon-seo’s idea, helping the chairwoman develop a newfound appreciation for her future daughter-in-law.
In a touching moment, the chairwoman admits that Yoon-seo’s reluctance to share her past was out of a desire to protect Ju-won from unnecessary pain. She gives her full blessing for their marriage, vowing to keep Yoon-seo’s family history a secret.
Two months later, wedding preparations are in full swing. Yoon-seo is engrossed in her new role at the scholarship foundation, leaving Ju-won to handle most of the wedding arrangements. This imbalance leads to a heated argument at I-rae’s restaurant.
Meanwhile, Si-won and Mi-jin’s anniversary passes by unnoticed. Mi-jin becomes upset when she realizes Si-won has forgotten, with his assistant handling the dinner reservations and gift. Hurt, Mi-jin leaves the dinner early.
Fate brings Yoon-seo and Mi-jin together for drinks after Yoon-seo accidentally calls Mi-jin. They bond over their frustrations with their partners and, under the influence of alcohol, hatch a plan to confront Ju-won and Si-won’s mother about her cold demeanor. Si-won learns of their plan and rushes to stop them. With Ju-won’s help, they successfully diffuse the situation.
The next morning, Yoon-seo receives an apology from Ju-won, along with a request for hangover remedies. As they share a lovingly prepared breakfast, the two reconcile and move forward with a deeper understanding of each other.
The episode ends with the couple’s wedding on the horizon, Si-won and Mi-jin patching up their differences, and Seong-min returning to his passion for painting. Finally, Yoon-seo and Ju-won’s love triumphs over the many challenges they’ve faced, setting the stage for their happily ever after.
Review of Cinderella at 2AM
Cinderella at 2AM is a refreshing take on the classic romance drama, blending humor, heartfelt moments, and family dynamics. Yoon-seo and Ju-won’s love story stands out with its modern twists, where Yoon-seo’s independence and resilience shine throughout. The show delicately balances romance with complex family relationships, especially between Ju-won and his mother, adding emotional depth to the narrative.
The supporting characters, particularly Seong-min and Ji-suk, provide lighthearted moments and add dimension to the storyline. However, at times, the drama leans on typical K-drama tropes, like misunderstandings and love triangles, which can feel predictable. That said, the strong chemistry between the leads and the emotional growth of the characters more than make up for it. Fans of romance dramas with a bit of comedy and family conflict will enjoy this one.
Rating: 8.5/10