One Spring Night: Episodes 27-28

by TeriYaki

Our librarian has to deal not only with an ex-boyfriend who refuses to leave her alone, but distraught parents who now know that the pharmacist comes with a young son. Strengthened by the promise of a future with two special men in her life, she remains strong. But our lead couple faces a new challenge when our pharmacist gets some unexpected news that forces him to face his greatest failure and worst fears.

 
EPISODE 27

After Jung-in’s mother warns her to run away, Jung-in promises to call back and hangs up. Ji-ho pulls over and Jung-in jumps out to face her parents.

Ji-ho delivers a sleeping Eun-woo to his father and explains to his mother that he has to go. Meanwhile, Jung-in surprises her mother when she walks through the front door and heads straight for her father’s office. There, she’s shown the photos of Ji-ho and Eun-woo and when Dad demands an explanation, Jung-in calmly confirms, “He has a child.”

Jung-in adds that she plans to marry Ji-ho and her dad is dumfounded that she’d say such a thing without her parents’ approval. Mom urges her daughter to give them time to absorb the news but Jung-in doesn’t see how that will make a difference.

Dad calls the entire situation absurd and Jung-in agrees, she’s not even sure how the relationship happened. But one thing that Jung-in is sure of, she’s never once regretted getting involved with Ji-ho, which is why she proposed to him first. Jung-in’s father calms down enough to ask Jung-in to bring Ji-ho home but she flatly refuses, “I know you’re planning to humiliate him and drive him away.”

Ji-ho is in front of Jung-in’s parents’ building by the time that Jae-in calls to say that she’s on her way. When she learns of Ji-ho’s whereabouts, Jae-in warns him not to go inside for Jung-in’s sake.

Jung-in’s dad tries to bargain with his daughter when he offers to give up some of what he wants. He agrees that Jung-in won’t have to date Ki-seok and offers to give up the post-retirement position. Dad becomes even angrier when Jung-in refuses, “I’m sorry, but I can’t give him up.”

Mom tries to convince Jung-in to think things over, but Dad erupts, “Think about what…The possibility of it happening is zero!” Jung-in explains that she can’t control her feelings so her father orders, “Just suck it up…” When he’s about to rip the photos of Ji-ho and Eun-woo, Jung-in yells out, “Don’t,” and snatches them away.

Over dinner, Shi-hoon notices that Ki-seok keeps checking his phone and asks what’s going on. Ki-seok reminds Shi-hoon that he’s the one with news and asks what impending fatherhood feels like but he’s told to get married and find out for himself. Ki-seok confesses that Jung-in has been prickly lately and when he mentions eloping, Shi-hoon nods in approval.

Jae-in and Young-jae arrive and Jae-in runs inside while Young-jae keeps Ji-ho company. As soon as Jae-in walks in she can see that Jung-in has been crying. Dad comes out of his office and complains that not only is he too ashamed to face Chairman Kwon, “Now, there won’t be a chance for you to get back together with Ki-seok.” When Jung-in answers, “Good,” her father lunges at her and Jae-in whispers that Ji-ho is downstairs before helping her mother restrain him.

Back at the restaurant, Shi-hoon explains that money is the key to everything, it can even buy love and affection. Shi-hoon claims that his love for Seo-in prompted the expansion of his clinic, so that she would be proud of him.

Ki-seok promises that when he inherits his father’s building, he’ll rent Shi-hoon office space for a pittance, but only if they’re family. Ki-seok throws an arm around Shi-hoon and vows that if Seo-in convinces Jung-in to marry him, “I’ll make it worth your while.”

Jung-in has a sad smile for Ji-ho when she finally walks outside. Ji-ho pulls her into a hug and Jung-in cries softly while Young-jae turns away to give them some privacy. Upstairs, Jae-in sees that her parents are lost in their thoughts and slips out quietly.

Later at Jung-in’s place, Ji-ho and Jung-in unwind with a bottle of wine. Jung-in confesses that because of him, she now has someone that she cares about more than herself. Ji-ho invites Jung-in to lean on him, “I want to be someone who can be there for you.”

Jung-in rests her head on Ji-ho’s back and when Ji-ho mentions that her father’s words must have hurt, she reminds him that they mustn’t allow anything others have to say to affect them. Ji-ho asks to hug Jung-in but she gives him a back hug and won’t let go.

The next day Jae-in visits her mother, who’s prepared side dishes for her daughters, even Jung-in. Jae-in asks about Dad and when she learns that nothing has changed, she offers Mom some advice about Jung-in and Ji-ho, “They’re in love, so just let them be.”

Jae-in reminds Mom that Seo-in will soon be a single mother herself and asks, “Could you be okay if others pointed fingers at her?” When Mom buries her head in her arms, Jae-in walk over to the piano to plays a piece for her.

When Ji-ho arrives at work, Pharmacist Wang teases him about his weekend and threatens to call his mother for details. Pharmacist Wang is surprised when Ji-ho’s mother calls her and asks to meet.

At the library, Ha-rin and Young-joo are shocked when they see the photos that were sent to Jung-in’s father. Young-joo assumes that Jung-in will go after Ki-seok but Jung-in isn’t sure that he sent those photos. Jung-in suggests that they came from Chairman Kwon and explains that her father assumed that much.

Ki-seok is at work when Jung-in finally calls him. Ki-seok wants to go out for dinner and after a long pause, Jung-in agrees to meet him at Chairman Kwon’s house, “I need to talk to your father…so be there.”

Before she leaves for the day, Ji-ho asks Pharmacist Wang if he can speak with her privately. Pharmacist Wang gets Ye-seul to leave first and then sits down to hear what Ji-ho has to say, surprised by the news that Jung-in asked him to marry her.

Ji-ho is worried about their parents but Pharmacist Wang reminds him that they can get married without their consent. Pharmacist Wang can guess why Ji-ho feels conflicted, “If you try powering through, they’ll think you’re insolent and your pride can’t allow that. However, you’re worried that Jung-in will leave you if you wait until both parents approve.”

Ji-ho doesn’t want to be responsible for an irreparable rift between Jung-in and her parents. Pharmacist Wang advises that instead of holding back to protect her, Ji-ho should show Jung-in how far he’s willing to go to be with her.

Jung-in calls Ji-ho as he’s about to leave the pharmacy to tell him that her meeting shouldn’t take long. Ji-ho gets Jung-in to agree that she’ll never meet Ki-seok again without him, “This is about us. We’ll do it together from now on.”

Jung-in and Ji-ho both assure each other that they can endure more hardship so Jung-in suggests a wager, “We’ll see who’s stronger…Loser grants the winner a wish.” Ji-ho tells Jung-in what he’d wish for, “Until we die, we’ll remember each other.”

On his walk home, Ji-ho pauses outside of the coffee house where he and Jung-in had long talks. Ji-ho also stops across the street from the restaurant where Jung-in stared at him while they were on the phone and begged, “No, don’t cross.”

Jung-in is on her way to Chairman Kwon’s when Ji-ho sends her a photo of that spot and a message, “I’m very happy that you’re not across the street right now.”

EPISODE 28

Ki-seok is already at his father’s house by the time that Jung-in arrives. Explaining that she only plans to stay for a few minutes, Jung-in sits down and hands the envelope with the photos to Chairman Kwon.

Chairman Kwon hides his surprise after seeing the contents and when Jung-in asks if he sent them to her parents, he glances at Ki-seok before admitting that he did. Jung-in tells Chairman Kwon that he did her a favor because she felt a sense of relief once her parents knew the truth. Before she leaves, Jung-in demands the original files for all of the photos and she gives Chairman Kwon her business card so that he knows where to send them.

Ki-seok follows Jung-in outside and admits that he sent those photos, “I didn’t want to suffer alone.” Shi-hoon’s thoughts on money must have influenced Ki-seok, who’s convinced that Jung-in dated him partly because of his wealth. Ki-seok insists that it never bothered him because he couldn’t say it wasn’t love.

Jung-in turns away and when she finally looks at Ki-seok, she’s apologetic, “I betrayed you and broke your heart. I’m sorry for everything.” Ki-seok gets upset when Jung-in promises to put up with his anger for the rest of her life, “Why would you do all this just to be with that prick?”

When Ki-seok asks Jung-in to come to back to him, she explains why that won’t happen, “I’ve gotten greedier.” Jung-in returns the engagement ring and after she tells Ki-seok that it never meant anything to her, he throws it down the street as far as he can. After Ki-seok warns Jung-in, “You’ll never be satisfied with Ji-ho,” she turns around and walks away.

Ki-seok goes back inside and apologizes to his father for putting him in such a difficult position. Ki-seok insists that Jung-in was drawn to Ji-ho out of pity and that he only alerted her parents after Jung-in ignored all of his warnings. Chairman Kwon takes Jung-in’s business card and as he heads for his office, he warns Ki-seok, “Don’t turn out like me.”

After her meeting, Jung-in takes a bus to Ji-ho’s neighborhood and when she sees him across the street, she texts, “I’m so happy you’re just across the street from me right now.”

Jung-in calls Ji-ho while they wait for the traffic light to change, “Again, don’t cross. I’ll go to you.” When the light turns green, Jung-in runs into Ji-ho’s arms and they hug each other right there on the corner.

The next day at the library, Ha-rin catches Jung-in’s mother peeking at Jung-in. Ha-rin finds Jung-in to tell her that her mother stopped by and that she looked sad. Once she’s alone, Jung-in texts her mother that she’s sorry and then she starts to cry.

Jae-in joins Seo-in’s meeting with an attorney who recommends a restraining order against Shi-hoon. The attorney admits that it’s no guarantee that Seo-in will be safe but Jae-in chimes in, “I can handle Shi-hoon by myself.”

Jae-in points out that the law can only do so much to help Seo-in since Shi-hoon’s expected jail sentence won’t be more than two years. Jae-in sighs in exasperation when Seo-in tells the attorney that she’s not ready to start legal proceedings.

Once they’re in the car, Seo-in tells Jae-in why she decided to wait, “Like you said, taking legal action isn’t enough.” Jae-in offers to put Seo-in’s plan into action since she’s pregnant but Seo-in insists, “That is why I have to do it myself. Because I’m a mom.” Jae-in is startled when her phone rings with a call from their mother, asking to know where Ji-ho works.

When Jung-in gets an envelope that contains a USB with all of the photo files, Young-joo calls for a celebration at her place. Jung-in’s good mood dims when Ki-seok texts, “Come down for a minute.”

Jung-in meets Ki-seok outside and he asks, “What do you want your father to do after he retires?”Jung-in points out that since she left Ki-seok for another man, his father will never approve of her, plus her father will be too ashamed to accept the job at the foundation.

Ki-seok insists, “Your dad will join the foundation. I’ll make it happen.” Jung-in reminds Ki-seok what she thinks about connections — she refused to attend the school where her father taught. With nothing more to say, Jung-in returns to work.

Jung-in’s mother peers into the pharmacy and after she walks away, Ji-ho and Ye-seul discuss the woman who’s been lingering outside. Jung-in’s mother ducks into the same coffee shop where Pharmacist Wang and Ji-ho’s mom arranged to meet.

Ji-ho’s mom asks Pharmacist Wang about Eun-woo’s mother and admits that she’s worried that she’ll reappear someday. She calls the woman heartless and Pharmacist Wang agrees, “She doesn’t deserve to be Eun-woo’s mom anyway.”

Pharmacist Wang assures Ji-ho’s mom that Jung-in is nothing like Eun-woo’s mother. Jung-in’s mother settles into the seat right behind Ji-ho’s mom and overhears the woman’s concerns about how Jung-in’s family will treat Ji-ho. Ji-ho’s mom wants Jung-in’s family to know that if Eun-woo is a problem, she’ll raise her grandson.

Jung-in’s mother eavesdrops as Pharmacist Wang insists that Ji-ho and Jung-in will take responsibility for Eun-woo if they marry. Ji-ho’s mom can’t bear the thought of Eun-woo being hurt by any disrespect that’s directed at Ji-ho, “That poor thing…doesn’t even know what his mom looks like.”

Pharmacist Wang calls Jung-in a strong woman and shares her belief that Jung-in and Ji-ho are well matched. Ji-ho’s mom decides, “I guess they’re meant to be.”

After leaving Pharmacist Wang, Ji-ho’s mom cries softly while waiting at the bus stop. Jung-in’s mother followed her and after she confirms that the woman is Ji-ho’s mother, she introduces herself as Jung-in’s mom.

At school, Principal Lee bows silently when he walks by Chairman Kwon, who seems unsettled by the cool exchange.

The moms have moved to a private bench and when Ji-ho’s mom begins to cry, Jung-in’s mother takes her hand. The two mothers sit in silence, holding hands, alternating between laughing and crying.

After ending a call with his mother, Ji-ho sighs that she wants him to come over but Jung-in is already on her way. Pharmacist Wang mentions that she met with Ji-ho’s mom and that Eun-woo’s mother, Yoo-mi, came up during their conversation.

Ji-ho confesses that whenever his mother worries about Yoo-mi, it brings back all of his pain. When Ji-ho shares that his greatest fear is that Eun-woo’s mother will show up to take away his son, Pharmacist Wang shares some news, “Yoo-mi’s married…Apparently, she even has a kid.”

Ji-ho is shocked but he wants Pharmacist Wang to know that he won’t allow himself to feel hate for the woman who gave birth to Eun-woo. However, Ji-ho can’t hide the pain that the news triggered and when he breaks down, Pharmacist Wang does her best to comfort him.

At home, Ji-ho’s mother lets her husband know that Ji-ho can’t make it. Dad determines that his wife didn’t tell Ji-ho about Jung-in’s mother and they’re sure that Jung-in didn’t say anything or Ji-ho would have come over.

Jung-in and Ha-rin help Young-joo carry some snacks and drinks to her place. Even though she knows that Ji-ho is visiting his parents, Jung-in misses him and decides to stop at his place first.

Jung-in walks into Ji-ho’s apartment and smiles as she looks around. When Jung-in peeks into Ji-ho’s bedroom she sees the photo of her with Ji-ho and Eun-woo, now next to the bed, and she sighs with happiness.

A very drunk Ji-ho is with Pharmacist Wang at a food stand. He breaks down in tears and confesses that he’s heartbroken for Eun-woo just at Young-jae arrives to take his friend home. Young-jae has to talk Ji-ho out of seeing Eun-woo and wisely steers him home instead.

Ha-rin and Jung-in are helping Young-joo clean up but after a commotion on the stairs, Jung-in runs out.

Jung-in lets herself into Ji-ho’s place and Young-jae quietly explains that Ji-ho is very drunk. Jung-in finds Ji-ho sitting on his bed and wonders, “Why did you drink so much?” She sits beside him to ask, “Did something happen,” but Ji-ho has a question of his own, “Jung-in. Are you going to leave us too?”

 
COMMENTS

That wish of Ji-ho’s, “Until we die, we’ll remember each other,” has me worried because I never want to hear talk about dying this late in a drama. With Ki-seok’s continued pursuit of Jung-in and Seo-in’s unknown plan for dealing with Shi-hoon, there’s lots to be nervous about. I can’t imagine Ki-seok or Shi-hoon accepting defeat but please don’t let anything bad happen to Jung-in, Ji-ho or their friends and family.

This episode was filled with powerful scenes, starting with Jung-in’s showdown with her father. That went about as well as could be expected but now Jung-in is locked into a stalemate with her father. Jung-in’s demand that Chairman Kwon send her the files for the photos was thrilling and that return of the engagement ring was long overdue. Jung-in didn’t bat an eye when Ki-seok threw that ring into oblivion and I wanted to shout for joy when she walked away without a word.

But the most powerful scenes surprisingly don’t belong to Jung-in. Jung-in’s mother and Ji-ho’s mom met face to face and they bonded as only good, loving mothers can. Jung-in’s mother listened in on the conversation with Pharmacist Wang and learned about another mother’s fears and she couldn’t help but respond with compassion. I don’t expect Jung-in’s mother to stand in the way of a marriage between Jung-in and Ji-ho now that she’s met Ji-ho’s mom and knows something about Eun-woo’s situation.

Which brings us to the most powerful scene in this episode, Ji-ho’s breakdown over the news that Eun-woo’s mother is not only married, she has another child. That revelation opened a very old wound and caused even more damage and it promises to test the love between Ji-ho and Jung-in.

Ji-ho has done his best to bury his feelings for Eun-woo’s mother but his son is a constant reminder that she abandoned them. I would imagine that Ji-ho told himself that Yoo-mi wasn’t ready to be a wife and a mother but Pharmacist Wang’s information tears that argument to shreds. Ji-ho now has to live with the fact that Yoo-mi didn’t want to marry him and that she didn’t want to be a mother to his child. And because of that fact, Eun-woo will continue to go through life without any connection to his biological mother.

The truth about his mother may not have much of an effect on Eun-woo while he’s young, but it’s a terrible reality to confront once he’s older. Eun-woo will wonder why he doesn’t have the love of his biological mother and it will be a wound that he must deal with for the rest of his days, just as it’s been for Ji-ho. This is why Ji-ho is so heartbroken, because he knows how difficult that hurt is to bear. Ji-ho also knows that all of the love that he and his parents have for Eun-woo can’t fill the void that Eun-woo’s mother left behind.

It makes sense that Ji-ho now doubts his judgement and that he’s worried that Jung-in could abandon them too. Ji-ho must be wondering if he has the right to take that risk with Eun-woo involved. It’s one thing to be abandoned by one mother but it would be devastating if it happened again.

Up until now, Ji-ho has been understanding and supportive and Jung-in draws some strength from that steadiness. It’s Jung-in’s turn to be the understanding and supportive one but it won’t be easy to face Ji-ho’s unresolved feelings where another woman is involved. Jung-in is about to find out just how real her feelings for Ji-ho and Eun-woo are and if she has what it takes to be a part of their future.

RELATED POSTS

• Premiere Watch: Angel’s Last Mission: Love, One Spring Night
• Falling in love One Spring Night in MBC’s melo romance
• A walk among falling flowers in MBC romance melo One Spring Night
• First look at Han Ji-min and Jung Hae-in for MBC melo Spring Night
• Pretty Noona cast and crew may reunite for another warm melodrama