In the high-energy premiere of Brewing Love, we meet Chae Yong-ju, a fearless woman working with Jisang Liquor, known for her tough, no-nonsense attitude and black special-ops uniform. She busts up an illegal beer sale orchestrated by a deceitful wholesaler who planned to profit without repaying Jisang Liquor. Yong-ju’s intervention is a powerful opening that showcases her commitment to the company.
After the operation, Yong-ju and her team celebrate, highlighting her role in making the Likey brand a hit in Busan over the past six years. Despite the success, challenges arise as some wholesalers attempt to take advantage, prompting Yong-ju’s vigilante-style crackdowns.
Meanwhile, Jisang Liquor’s chairman introduces the premium new Naro Beer to his board. Pleased with the taste, he demands that the company acquire it or recruit the beer’s creator, Yoon Min-ju, to join Jisang. This sets the stage for a high-stakes acquisition and possible clash between Yong-ju and Min-ju, igniting anticipation for the dynamics of their brewing rivalry.
After the chairman’s meeting, two senior managers rush to rally their teams. They’re rivals, each eager to lead the Naro Beer project. The head of the planning team calls for Bang Ah-reum, a talented section chief, but she’s preoccupied with a matchmaker meeting, hoping to find an ideal husband.
Meanwhile, in Chungcheong province, Chan-hwi, a young man selling toast from his truck, visits Uillhan Brewery. He passionately praises Yoon Min-ju’s beer and even volunteers as a part-timer in exchange for it. Chan-hwi also requests an advance for his noona—none other than Yong-ju, who eagerly enjoys the beer he brings her.
In Chungcheong, we meet Min-ju’s team, including two meticulous middle-aged women, a young woman named Jjuan, and her husband. During their lunch break, Min-ju receives a message from Ah-reum, offering a deal he quickly dismisses. Later, the village chief joins, and the group jokes about Min-ju’s reserved nature.
After everyone else leaves, Jjuan and her husband inform Min-ju they’re headed to her hometown. Sensitive to others’ emotions, Min-ju reveals he already sensed this from Jjuan’s upbeat mood. Jjuan’s husband apologizes for leaving during a busy period, but Min-ju, ever understanding, reassures him.
Meanwhile, in Busan, Yong-ju enjoys drinks with her colleagues before returning home to care for her grandmother. She lovingly tucks her in and tackles household chores, displaying her resilience and dedication beyond work.
The next morning, Min-ju receives a call from Min-ho, a young boy who demands that Min-ju attend his birthday party. In the meantime, Min-ju asks Chan-hwi to babysit his cat. That same day, Ah-reum and her colleague visit the brewery and mistakenly assume Chan-hwi is the owner, though the misunderstanding is quickly cleared up.
Elsewhere, a restaurant owner reaches out to Yong-ju for help after some Jisang employees get into a fight with staff from Baekmok, the leading beer brand in the area. Yong-ju steps in and successfully resolves the issue with Baekmok’s manager, who comments on Jisang’s growing struggles.
At Min-ho’s birthday party, Min-ju finds that his father, an ex-army general, has turned the event into a gathering for his own colleagues. Min-ho seems to act as Min-ju’s younger brother. Tensions rise as Min-ju and his father argue, with the father labeling him weak. Min-ju defends himself, explaining that he’s hypersensitive and an empath, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
In a flashback, we see Min-ju’s mother’s funeral, revealing that the woman at the event is his father’s second wife. Feeling betrayed and misunderstood, Min-ju storms out of the party with Min-ho in his arms.
Yong-ju faces more challenges when her supervisor informs her that the Busan branch is closing due to the chairman’s push for Naro Beer. Undeterred, she resolves to fight back.
Later, Min-ju takes Min-ho to an amusement park, where he dreams of winning a large teddy bear. The challenge requires 700 points in a shooting game, and who overhears? Yong-ju! Though Min-ju hesitates when he spots her army boots, Min-ho quickly bonds with her. Yong-ju accepts the challenge and vents her frustrations, shooting relentlessly while mumbling Min-ju’s name. At the end of Episode 1, Min-ju senses her distress and offers support, though Yong-ju denies her inner turmoil.
Episode 2 of Brewing Love, Yong-ju checks on Min-ju, who quickly realizes he’s overstepped and withdraws. He discusses this with his friend Min-ho, who notes Min-ju’s tendency to overlook similar incidents, adding layers to the story’s intrigue.
Back home, Yong-ju tries to maintain her cheerful facade, but her grandmother sees through it. Determined to make a change, Yong-ju accepts a challenge from Jisang’s head of marketing: if she can convince Min-ju to collaborate with Jisang, the company will keep its Busan branch open. Yong-ju agrees and, accompanied by her grandmother, relocates to Seoul. At the office, she’s briefed that Min-ju has refused any communication with Jisang, prompting Yong-ju to take immediate action.
Meanwhile, in Chungcheong, Min-ju is roped into planning a local beer festival. Ah-reum, on her way to see him, discusses her marriage aspirations, revealing her goal to climb the “marriage market” ladder. At work, Min-ju sets boundaries with Chan-hwi, but they quickly dissolve when Ah-reum arrives, creating tension as Min-ju’s hypersensitivity causes him to misinterpret intentions.
Yong-ju and her assistant, Beom, strategize with the village chief, exchanging beer for a chance to meet Min-ju. When the two cross paths unexpectedly, Yong-ju asks him to review her proposal. Min-ju, overwhelmed by her desperation, declines, advising her to visit the hospital for her past injury. Emotionally distraught because of Yong ju, Min-ju nearly has an accident while driving, with Yong-ju following behind. Claiming he’s “blocking” her, he figuratively draws a line, marking his boundaries.
After retreating to a meditation room, Min-ju tries to distance himself from Yong-ju’s emotions. When smoke is detected, Yong-ju rappels down to his window, relieved to find only candles. She declares she’s “unblocking” him and proposes creating a new beer to preserve his original work. Although he’s initially hesitant, he lets her lead, recognizing her struggles that day.
The next day, the village chief, pressured by Min-ju, tells Yong-ju she’s barred from town. Undeterred, Yong-ju wins the locals over, sharing personal stories and gifts to soften their stance. In a climactic twist, Min-ju, mistaking Yong-ju for one of his workers, rushes to protect her from a dangerous height, bringing a powerful close to Brewing Love Episode 2.
Thanks for reading. What do you think of this episode?