After four weeks of watching Hong Joo (Kim So Hyun) and Hoo Young’s (Chae Jong Hyeop) love story unfold, “Serendipity’s Embrace” has finally come to a satisfying conclusion. From Hong Joo evolving into a strong female lead who is also open to being vulnerable in front of her loved ones, to Hoo Young finally deciding to live life on his own terms, and the couple’s friends getting their own happy endings, here are three ways “Serendipity’s Embrace” beautifully wrapped up its story.
Warning: spoilers for episodes 7-8 ahead!
Hong Joo’s consistent boundaries
In the preview of episode six, we finally see Bang Joon Ho (Yun Ji On) break down and confess the truth to Hong Joo about why he left. He cries in front of her, asking if she would take him back if he told her that he was sick, that he couldn’t breathe, and that even after all the times they were apart, she remained the only one he loved. Although viewers never doubted Hong Joo’s love for Hoo Young, the preview left everyone concerned about the couple’s future. What if Hong Joo decided to give Joon Ho a second chance? After all, Joon Ho was her first love, and according to her, that’s a very special kind of love.
However, Hong Joo did not disappoint. In the very first scene of episode six, she sets strong boundaries and does not give Joon Ho a second chance. She not only creates physical distance by leaving his house but also stands her ground and refuses to let her boss passively pressure her into retaking the “My Avant-Garde Love” animation project. Even when Joon Ho shows up at her house with decades-old love letters, trying to rekindle their love, she tells him with her no-nonsense attitude that she has moved on and is in love with someone else.
“Serendipity’s Embrace” sets itself apart from the typical romance genre that often depicts protagonists getting back together with toxic exes simply because they were going through mental health issues. While it’s important to acknowledge and help people with mental health challenges, you don’t have to become a doormat, or in Hong Joo’s case, a carp head, while showing kindness. Remember, the first person who deserves your kindness is yourself.
The difference between Hoo Young and Joon Ho
“You are just like Bang Joon Ho,” are the exact words Hong Joo says to Hoo Young when she finds out from his mother that she’s here to take him back to the States. Hoo Young doesn’t understand why it’s such a big deal to her that he didn’t tell her about his mother’s plan, and she doesn’t understand his situation where his mother is trying to hijack his life. This moment marks the couple’s first big fight, and how they handle it will determine whether they are truly right for each other or if their relationship was just a fleeting spring fling. Fortunately, they both pass the test.
The very next day, Hoo Young’s friend, Kwon Sang Pil (Lee Won Jung), tells him about Hong Joo’s history of abandonment issues, helping him see the error of his ways. Hoo Young might have thought his mother’s plan to take him back was a small issue he could handle on his own; however, to Hong Joo, it appeared as a sign that she was going to be abandoned once again without even getting a chance to say goodbye. On the other hand, while talking to Kim Hye Ji (Dasom) about the fight, Hong Joo realizes she has been misdirecting her anger — Hoo Young and Joon Ho are not the same person, and Hoo Young definitely does not deserve to be treated that way.
Even though Joon Ho seemingly loved Hong Joo and she was crazy about him, they lacked the connection and willingness to be vulnerable with each other, which ultimately ruined their relationship. But Hoo Young is different, and so is his relationship with Hong Joo. This entire conflict and resolution shows that love is not the sole factor that defines a relationship. The fact that neither of our leads is afraid to admit their mistakes and work to fix them proves they are truly meant for each other.
Happy ending for the supporting characters
A “happy ending” doesn’t always mean finding your one true love. The various happy endings presented in “Serendipity’s Embrace” left viewers satisfied.
First, there’s Kim Hye Ji, the girl who was too shy to give love letters to her high school crush, who finally found someone truly crazy about her. It was always obvious from the way Son Kyung Taek (Hwang Sung Bin) acted around Hye Ji that he was deeply infatuated with her, but seeing him finally break out of his shell and confess his love was satisfying. Hye Ji definitely deserves the romcom-esque confession she received after working as a cupid for Hong Joo and Hoo Young.
Next is Kwon Sang Pil, who has been running a successful restaurant all this time. He has the skills of a great chef, but unfortunately, his heart wasn’t always in the business; he did it mostly for his mother’s happiness and success. After realizing he doesn’t truly enjoy his work, he decides to pursue something new. But that’s not the only happy ending he gets. Since the premiere episode, it has been hinted that Sang Pil’s first love is Hye Ji, but he never finds the right moment to confess. However, in the finale, he says that whoever he loves in the future will be his first love because it will be his first time loving them. His arc feels fitting, as the theme that “first love isn’t necessarily the most special love” is central to the show, considering Hong Joo also left her first love and found happiness with Hoo Young instead.
Lastly, there’s Joon Ho, a character with whom viewers have a love-hate relationship. While his struggle with depression and anxiety is relatable for many, the way he treated Hong Joo throughout the story made people lose hope for him. However, it seems that in the end, he finds a fitting resolution for himself. Although he didn’t get back together with Hong Joo, he manages to move on from their breakup, accept his fate, and is in a better mental state.
One of the standout aspects during the premiere week of “Serendipity’s Embrace” was its shorter-than-usual K-drama episode count — just eight episodes. While viewers are left wanting more of Hong Joo and Hoo Young, and rightfully so, it’s undeniable that the shorter runtime forced the plot to be more coherent and tightly knit. Instead of meandering through subplots like searching for an estranged mother, rekindling relationships with toxic exes, or spending three to four episodes delving into childhood trauma, “Serendipity’s Embrace” stayed focused on the romance and did justice to the genre. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll see more romance-focused mini K-dramas that maintain their focus and don’t lose the plot midway.
Watch “Serendipity’s Embrace” below:
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Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres but believes no one can top the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.
Currently watching: “I Hear the Sunspot,” “Serendipity’s Embrace,” and “Bad Memory Eraser.”
Looking forward to: “Squid Game Season 2,” “Love Next Door,” and “Good Boy.”