Episode 5 commences with a flashback featuring a younger Hong-ju and Hu-yeong. Following their visit to Seoul, the pair became more connected. Nevertheless, one afternoon, Hu-yeong is standing at the bus stop, waiting to head back home from school. His mother sends him a text, requesting that Hu-yeong return home quickly because they are heading to the USA.
Hu-yeong quickly gets on the bus heading home, knowing he will depart the country soon, before Hong-ju can even cross the street.
The scene returns to the present moment where Hu-yeong kisses Hong-ju, picking up from where we left off. Hu-yeong confesses to Hong-ju that he has feelings for her and mentions that his emotions for her have remained constant since their high school days. Hong-ju feels ashamed by the kiss and declaration. She tells him to return home and heads to Sang-pil restaurant to distract herself from Hu-yeong’s confession.
In the meantime, CEO Baek and CEO Bae debate the parking employees outside the latter’s workplace. They discuss amongst each other about CEO Baek’s acquisition of his building. Bae was also intrigued by the building and was deliberately annoying Baek in the hope that he would agree to sell it to her. Baek blames Bae for being small-minded because he turned down her feelings but Ceo Bae tells him it was the other way around. He was the one always clinging to her and being pathetic.
Hye-ji who is now infatutaed with Mr Sohn/Mr Noh attempts to express her gratitude to him for loaning her his sneakers while at the hospital. Mr. Sohn attempts to escape from Hye-ji and eventually confesses to her that her father, Mr. Kim, had requested him to organize a trip for the teachers. Hye-ji doesn’t feel anything wrong, but it’s evident that Mr. Sohn is deceiving her.
While at Sang-pil’s restaurant, Hong-ju peels onions for him and is preoccupied with Hu-yeong’s confession. Hu-yeong grins to himself, reflecting on his recent encounter with Hong-ju. That evening, CEO Baek comes back home and informs Hu-yeong about his upcoming trip back to the United States.
Hu-yeong couldn’t reach his mom, so he contacts Sang-pil and finds out that Hong-ju is at his eatery. Hu-yeong hurries to the location. Hong-ju departs upon discovering Hu-yeong’s impending arrival. While sitting at the bus stop, she remembers the time she tried to cross the street to see Hu-yeong.
Jun-ho is drunk while messaging Hong-ju about how he deeply misses her but Hong-ju is so preoccupied reminiscing about her high school experiences that she neglects Jun-ho’s drunken messages.
The following day, Sang-pil arrives at Hong-ju’s residence and requests her to prepare for a journey with Hu-yeong and CEO Baek. When Hong-ju attempts to decline, he mentions that Hye-ji and Mr. Sohn will also be coming along. Hong-ju attempts to explain the awkwardness between her and Hu-yeong to her friend, but Sang-pil persuades her to come along.
While Sang-pil is driving, Hu-yeong has the opportunity to sit next to Hong-ju. Hong-ju attempts to dismiss all of Hu-yeong’s attempts to get closer as he flirts with her at every turn. Hu-yeong is requested to be the driver, while Hong-ju is left in the passenger seat as CEO Baek and Sang-pil doze off in the backseat. Hu-yeong requests snacks from Hong-ju, but she declines, telling him to get the snacks himself.
After reaching their vacation house, Sang-pil and CEO Baek engage in fishing. Hong-ju and Hu-yeong choose to arrange their belongings in the rental place for the evening. The pair have a romantic encounter when Hu yeong holds Hong ju’s hand telling her they should park together before joining the other two, but Hong-ju departs, feeling overcome. She calls Hye jin to express her frustration over her feelings.
Afterward, Hong-ju sits with CEO Baek while Hu-yeong joins Sang-pil for fishing. Hong-ju receives a message from CEO Bae informing her that Jun-ho has requested her assistance on the animation project at his residence. A flashback shows CEO Bae meeting with Min-woo, who says Jun-ho preferred working from home.
Reluctantly, CEO Bae agrees to the clause and messages Hong-ju, requesting her to follow through. Feeling angry, Hong-ju chooses to go for a stroll along the shore. Nevertheless, as the high tide draws near, Hu-yeong hurries to request for her to return home.
Hong-ju persuades Hu-yeong to catch unusual sea creatures such as sea cucumbers, oysters, and octopus. The couple forms a strong connection and enjoy numerous intimate experiences together. Hong-ju prepares to kiss Hu-yeong but refrains, leading to playful teasing from Hu-yeong.
Hye-ji and Mr Sohn are on their way to the beach to join Hye-ji’s friends. During the car journey, Hye-ji attempts to communicate with Mr Sohn, but he ignores her. Hye-ji’s sister contacts her and requests a picture of Mr. Sohn. Hye-ji is devastated to find out that her father arranged a blind date for Sohn and her sister.
She inquires if Mr Sohn would like to be in a relationship with her instead, but he shouts that he does not have romantic feelings for her. Hong-ju notices Hye-ji’s upset mood at the picnic and decides to take her out for a walk. Hye-ji confesses to Hong-ju that she was pretending to date Mr. Sohn. Her attraction to Sohn has grown due to his masculine qualities. Even though he has turned her down, she will continue to pursue him. This provides Hong-ju with the incentive to acknowledge her emotions for Hu-yeong.
The group has dinner that evening and then falls asleep after enjoying some drinks. Hong-ju envisions her mother, her aunt, and Jun-ho moving away from her at various stages in her life. In her dream, Hu-yeong appears and questions if she would also allow him to leave. The following day, Hong-ju wakes up to discover that she is the only person in the rented house. She attempts to reach out to her friends and Hu-yeong but becomes anxious when nobody picks up the phone. At that moment, Hu-yeong comes back with coffee and breakfast for both of them.
Mr Sohn takes Hye-ji, CEO Baek, and Sang-pil home in his car. Hye-ji offers Mr Sohn a beverage and expresses gratitude for him staying with her friends despite not consuming any alcohol.
At the same time, Hu-yeong begins preparing breakfast for himself and Hong-ju after the others leave to return to Seoul. Hong-ju informs Hu-yeong that she would prefer it if he stays in Korea instead of returning to the United States. Hu-yeong reassures her with a smile that he has no plans of leaving, prompting Hong-ju to kiss him. Three years ago, a conclusion revealed Jun-ho in tears as he got on his plane. He reassures himself that he will come back once he finishes writing a hit novel, and wishes for Hong-ju to wait for him. The END.
It’s unfortunate that we only have 3 episodes left of enjoying Serendipity’s Embrace as it has become a guilty pleasure on Mondays and Tuesdays with its cute and fluffy romantic comedy vibe. Now that the main couple is finally united, I am curious to see how things will unfold when Hong-ju has to collaborate with her former partner at his residence. Hu-yeong’s jealousy is completely understandable, given the lingering impact Jun-ho has on Hong-ju.
At the same time, the creators are making an effort to restore Jun-ho’s character by providing us with small pieces of information about his feelings as he was leaving Hong-ju. But his actions were extremely insensitive, and I doubt any audience will be able to sympathize with him considering the difficult upbringing that Hong-ju had.
I am curious about the fate of Mr Sohn and Hye-ji after his rejection. Mr. Sohn appears to have feelings for Hye-ji, but he may be refusing to pursue them because he is both her colleague and her father’s employee. I am very excited to see where this romcom goes with only 3 episodes left, now that Hu-yeong’s mother has come back to South Korea.