In Episode 8 of Cinderella at 2am, the story opens with an emotional moment as Ju-won proposes to Yoon-seo, following her intense breakdown. He gently tells her not to rush, allowing her to take all the time she needs to consider his heartfelt proposal. Although Yoon-seo is deeply touched by his words, her mind is clouded with uncertainty. Later, she confides in her best friend, I-rae, admitting that while Ju-won’s proposal is everything she could have dreamed of, she’s scared. She feels unsure about what she can offer someone like Ju-won, who comes from wealth and prestige, and worries she may never measure up.
Meanwhile, Ju-won is filled with hope and excitement. He shares the news of his proposal with his brother, revealing that he is fully committed to convincing their overbearing mother to approve of their marriage, despite knowing it will be an uphill battle. His restlessness grows as he eagerly awaits Yoon-seo’s response, finding it harder to focus on anything else. He’s determined to make her his future, but the looming challenge of his mother’s disapproval weighs heavily on his mind.
As rumors spread within the company about Ju-won’s potential transfer to Spain, they eventually reach Yoon-seo, leaving her anxious and uncertain. Though she longs to ask him to stay, her insecurities hold her back. She fears that her request might come across as selfish, especially when she still hasn’t fully accepted his proposal.
One day, Yoon-seo visits Seong-min’s studio. During their conversation, she opens up about feeling like an inadequate version of Cinderella—afraid that she’s not worthy of her ‘prince,’ Ju-won. Seong-min, however, offers her comfort and wise advice. He tells her that she needs to stop thinking of herself as Cinderella and start embracing her true self. He reminds her of her perseverance, pointing out that she’s never backed down from anything that mattered to her. Encouraged by his words, Yoon-seo begins to see things differently.
At that moment, she receives a message from Ju-won, informing her that he’s leaving for Spain. Her heart races, and motivated by Seong-min’s advice, Yoon-seo rushes to the airport. In a dramatic, movie-like scene, she finds Ju-won and confesses her love for him. They share an emotional hug, but the intensity of the moment quickly turns humorous when Yoon-seo learns that Ju-won’s trip to Spain is only a short business visit. He’ll be gone for just five days, not permanently as she had feared.
During Ju-won’s brief absence, the couple rekindles their relationship by staying connected through frequent messages and calls. The time apart brings them closer, reaffirming their feelings for one another.
Ju-won returns just in time for Ji-suk’s college exams, and he and Yoon-seo head back to the office together. They plan to spend more time with each other, but life has other plans. First, the deputy team leader is left devastated upon learning he hasn’t been promoted as expected. Meanwhile, Ji-suk, who initially intended to celebrate his exams with friends, changes his plans to have dinner with Yoon-seo instead.
However, their dinner is cut short when Ji-suk’s friends call him away, leaving Yoon-seo on her own. On her way to meet Ju-won, she receives a distressed call from the deputy team leader and rushes to comfort him. It’s during this conversation that Yoon-seo learns his promotion was postponed because he is in line to become the next team leader once she leaves the company. Just as things seem to spiral, Ju-won arrives to help smooth over the situation, allowing the couple to shift their focus back to their relationship.
On the other side of the story, Si-won and Mi-jin’s relationship develops further. The two have been spending more time together since Mi-jin’s social media posts, featuring Si-won, led to a surprising spike in the company’s stock. In response, the chairwoman lifts the social media ban on Si-won, allowing him to embrace the public attention. However, Si-won misinterprets their outings as dates, only to feel disheartened when he realizes Mi-jin doesn’t see it that way. Frustrated, Si-won confronts Mi-jin, who quickly reassures him that she was simply trying to make him happy. This moment leads to Si-won confessing his feelings for Mi-jin, creating a new emotional layer to their relationship.
As for Yoon-seo and Ju-won, their love story progresses with a mix of sweet and challenging moments. After a long day, they plan to spend time together at a park, but Ju-won is soon distracted by work responsibilities. They move to his place, where Yoon-seo waits for him, feeling a bit insecure. She apologizes, thinking that she has been the cause of his recent stress and struggles. But instead of agreeing with her, Ju-won surprises her by kissing her, ending the episode on a romantic note and leaving viewers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in their journey.
Episode 8 of Cinderella at 2am is an emotional rollercoaster, highlighting the growing love between Ju-won and Yoon-seo, while also diving into their individual insecurities. Ju-won’s heartfelt proposal is met with Yoon-seo’s inner struggle of feeling unworthy, and his looming transfer to Spain adds a layer of urgency to their relationship. Meanwhile, Seong-min’s advice helps Yoon-seo rediscover her strength, leading to a touching airport confession. The episode balances humor, romance, and drama, with side stories like Si-won and Mi-jin’s budding connection adding depth. A beautifully emotional installment, with engaging character development.