After four weeks of following Hong Joo (Kim So Hyun) and Hoo Young’s (Chae Jong Hyeop) love story, Serendipity’s Embrace has finally come to a satisfying conclusion. From Hong Joo’s evolution into a strong female lead who is also willing to be vulnerable in front of her loved ones, to Hoo Young finally deciding to live life on his own terms, to the couple’s friends getting their own happy endings, here are three ways Serendipity’s Embrace beautifully wraps up its story.
Warning: Spoilers for episodes 7-8 follow!
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 about his departure to Hong Joo. He cries in front of her and asks if she would take him back if he told her that he is sick, that he cannot breathe, and that despite all the time they were apart, she remained the only one he loved. Although viewers never doubted Hong Joo’s love for Hoo Young, the preview made everyone worried 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 in her opinion, that is a very special kind of love.
However, Hong Joo did not disappoint. Already in the first scene of the sixth episode, she sets clear boundaries and does not give Joon Ho a second chance. Not only does she create physical distance by leaving his house, but she also stands firm and does not allow her boss to passively pressure her into re-accepting the animation project “My Avant-Garde Love”. Even when Joon Ho shows up at her house with decades-old love letters and tries to rekindle their love, she tells him with her pragmatic attitude that she has moved on and is in love with someone else.
Serendipity’s Embrace stands out from the typical romance novel genre, where protagonists often get back together with their toxic exes simply because they had mental health issues. While it’s important to acknowledge and help people with mental health issues, you don’t have to make yourself a doormat or, as in Hong Joo’s case, a carp head when showing kindness. Remember, the first person who deserves your kindness is yourself.
The difference between Hoo Young and Joon Ho
“You’re just like Bang Joon Ho,” are the exact words Hong Joo says to Hoo Young when she learns from his mother that she is here to take him back to the States. Hoo Young doesn’t understand why it’s so important to her that he didn’t tell her about his mother’s plans, and she doesn’t understand his situation where his mother is trying to hijack his life. This moment marks the couple’s first major fight, and how they handle it will determine if they are truly meant for each other or if their relationship was just a fleeting spring fling. Thankfully, 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 past experiences of abandonment and helps him realize his mistake. Hoo Young may have thought that his mother’s plan to take him back was a small problem that he could solve on his own; however, to Hong Joo, it seemed like a sign that she would leave again without even having a chance to say goodbye. On the other hand, when Hong Joo talks to Kim Hye Ji (Dasom) about the argument, she realizes that she misdirected her anger – Hoo Young and Joon Ho are not the same person and Hoo Young definitely does not deserve to be treated like that.
Although Joon Ho seemingly loved Hong Joo and she was crazy about him, they lacked connection and willingness to show each other their vulnerability, which ultimately ruined their relationship. But Hoo Young is different, and that goes for his relationship with Hong Joo as well. This whole conflict and its resolution shows that love is not the only factor that defines a relationship. The fact that none of our main cast is afraid to admit their mistakes and work to fix them proves that they are truly meant for each other.
Happy ending for the supporting characters
A “happy ending” doesn’t always mean finding your true love. The various happy endings in “Serendipity’s Embrace” have satisfied viewers.
First, there’s Kim Hye Ji, the girl who was too shy to write love letters to her high school sweetheart and has finally found someone who is truly crazy about her. It was always clear from the way Son Kyung Taek (Hwang Sung Bin) acted around Hye Ji that he was deeply infatuated with her, but it was satisfying to see him finally come out of his shell and confess his love. Hye Ji definitely deserved the romantic comedy-style 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 really like his job, he decides to try something new. But that’s not the only happy ending he gets. Since the first episode, it’s been hinted that Sang Pil’s first love is Hye Ji, but he never finds the right moment to confess it. In the finale, however, he says that the person he loves in the future will be his first love because it will be the first time he loves her. His story arc feels fitting since the theme of “first love isn’t necessarily the most extraordinary love” is central to the show, considering Hong Joo also left her first love and found happiness with Hoo Young instead.
And finally, there is Joon Ho, a character that viewers have a love/hate relationship with. While his struggle with depression and anxiety is relatable to many, the way he treated Hong Joo throughout the story made people lose hope for him. In the end, however, he seems to find a suitable solution for himself. Although he didn’t get back together with Hong Joo, he manages to put the breakup behind him, accept his fate, and is in a better mental state.
One of the standout aspects during Serendipity’s Embrace’s premiere week was its smaller episode count than usual for K-dramas – just eight episodes. While viewers want more from Hong Joo and Hoo Young, and rightly so, there’s no denying that the shorter runtime meant the storyline was more coherent and tightly knit. Instead of meandering through subplots like finding an estranged mother, rekindling relationships with toxic exes, or delving into childhood trauma for three to four episodes, Serendipity’s Embrace stayed focused on the romance and did the genre justice. Hopefully, we’ll see more romantic mini K-dramas in the future that maintain their focus and don’t lose the plot halfway through.
Watch “Serendipity’s Embrace” below:
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Hey Soompiers! Have you seen episodes 7-8 of “Serendipity’s Embrace”? Are you happy with the finale? Let us know in the comments section below!
Javeria is a binge-watcher who loves to binge entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good scripts, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to many artists from different genres but believes that no one can top self-produced idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram at @javeriayousufs.
Currently in focus: “I Hear the Sunspot,” “Serendipity’s Embrace,” and “Bad Memory Eraser.”
I am looking forward to: “Squid Game Season 2,” “Love Next Door,” and “Good Boy.”
