The episode opens with the sound of the sea. The camera follows Hyo-ri as she walks into the shallow waves, the cold water wrapping around her ankles. She stares at the horizon, her face pale but calm, though inside she’s carrying the heavy truth of her brain tumor diagnosis. There’s no shouting, no tears—just a deep stillness, as if she’s trying to let the ocean take away her fear. Meanwhile, back in the village, Ji-an is restless. She’s cooking, cleaning, doing anything to distract herself from the worry clawing at her. She’s heard where Hyo-ri is—Cheonghae Village—and she decides she can’t wait any longer. She must go and bring her daughter home. --- \[The Journey & The Reunion – 1:30–3:00] Ji-an walks quickly through the small streets, her mind full of questions. Where exactly is Hyo-ri? What is she thinking? Is she safe? But then… fate intervenes. She turns a corner and collides with a man carrying groceries. The bags spill, oranges rolling across the street. Ji-an looks up—and freezes. It’s Ryu Jeong-seok. Her first love. The man who once held her heart. For a brief moment, neither of them speaks. They just stand there, taking in the shock of seeing each other again after so many years. Jeong-seok bends down to gather the fallen groceries, and they exchange a polite, almost shy conversation. There’s warmth there… and also the weight of the past. As Ji-an walks away, she doesn’t notice yet that Hyo-ri’s camper van is parked right near Jeong-seok’s home—placing their two lives side by side once again. --- \[Mother and Daughter Tension – 3:00–5:00] Later, Ji-an finds Hyo-ri. The meeting is tense. Hyo-ri, her voice quiet but sharp, tells her mother the truth about her condition—she has a brain tumor. Ji-an, her heart pounding, immediately tells her to fight, to seek treatment, to not give up. But Hyo-ri shakes her head. She says she doesn’t want to live in hospitals or under constant medical pressure. She only wants a simple, mediocre life—time to breathe without the weight of expectations. This leads to an even deeper wound being voiced. Hyo-ri tells Ji-an that she’s always been strong, independent, and proud—but in that strength, she has never truly seen her daughter’s struggles. Ji-an is left speechless. Her strength, which she always thought was her best quality, has become a wall between them. --- \[The Debt Visit – 5:00–7:30] Not long after, Ji-an receives a call about a man who owes her money from her work in construction—money for stolen materials. She decides to confront him and takes Hyo-ri along. On the way, the silence between them is heavy. When they arrive, Ji-an expects a defensive argument. Instead, they find a man living in clear hardship. His home is run-down, and his eyes are tired. Ji-an, moved by what she sees, softens. She doesn’t yell, she doesn’t threaten. She simply listens. Hyo-ri watches her mother closely. In this moment, she sees a side of Ji-an she doesn’t always notice—a compassionate, understanding side. The man, grateful for their kindness, decides to repay the debt in a way they didn’t expect. He offers them the deed to his late mother’s farmhouse. It’s not money, but it’s something that holds real value. --- \[The New House – 7:30–9:30] Ji-an and Hyo-ri drive to see the farmhouse. The road winds through the countryside, past fields of flowers and the distant shimmer of the ocean. When they arrive, the house is quiet and a little worn, but sunlight spills through the windows in warm golden beams. The wooden floors creak under their feet, and dust floats gently in the air. Hyo-ri steps inside slowly, looking around with cautious curiosity. Ji-an watches her daughter’s face, searching for any sign of happiness. Then she speaks softly: “This is Hyo-ri’s house.” For a moment, the tension between them fades. They stand together in this new space—not quite healed, but perhaps ready to start over. The air feels lighter, and the farmhouse, though old, feels like a place where they could both breathe. --- \[Closing Moment – 9:30–10:00] The episode closes with the two of them standing in the doorway, looking out at the open land beyond. The wind rustles the grass, carrying with it the possibility of new beginnings. It’s not a grand resolution, but it’s a small step—a fragile thread of hope that maybe, just maybe, their fractured bond can be mended. Screen fades to black. Soft piano outro. --- I
