Rewinding to 2005, we're taken back to our leads' first meeting. One night, the chivalrous Minho saved a very drunk Seulgi from a couple of lecherous men, which resulted in her chomping down on his shoulder. She then proceeded to spill her life story to him, giving us further insight into her "best friends." Whenever Seulgi felt down, Somi was always uncontactable. Maybe that was for the better, Seulgi admitted, because she'd feel even smaller next to Somi.
This backstory set up our leads' connection in a way that was both romantic and empathetic. Minho learned why Seulgi maintained her friendship with someone like Somi—lonely and adrift after her father's death, she'd take any form of stability she could get. Minho also opened up about his mother's passing and his father's remarriage, a rare moment of vulnerability from the stoic Minho that contextualized the depth of his feelings for Seulgi.
After they fell asleep on the lawn, Minho woke up alone but soon noticed Seulgi around campus. As fate would have it, she was his college sunbae. Seulgi regularly fed an adorable stray kitten, which Minho eventually came to care for (and adopt) as well, all while pining for Seulgi from afar.
In his second chance at life, however, Minho was all about taking initiative. That included Seulgi's suggestion of a style change, which meant we finally got Minho in a sharply tailored three-piece suit. His spiffy new look resulted in astonished stares, spilled coffee, and swooning subordinates—as well as a very irritated Min-hwan.
Min-hwan's middle name might just be "projection," since he immediately cornered Seulgi and declared that all men cheat. Minho must have the hots for her, supposed girlfriend notwithstanding. Of course, Seulgi wasn't the least bit convinced, since she already knew Min-hwan's true colors.
Unfortunately, these seeds of suspicion opened the door for Somi to further sow discord. When she "accidentally" revealed to Min-hwan that Seulgi's mother left due to an affair, insinuating that the apple didn't fall far from the tree, Min-hwan deliberately frightened Seulgi by tailing her on the way home.
Seulgi: (noticing Min-hwan's car behind her, feeling uneasy) Min-hwan, why are you following me?
Min-hwan: (stepping out of the car, voice cold) We need to talk, Seulgi.
Seulgi: (suspicious) About what?
Min-hwan: (sarcastically) When you finish you work.Where did you go? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. huh?
Seulgi: (angry and hurt) How dare you bring up my mother like that?
Min-hwan: (advancing towards her) So, is it true?
Seulgi: (backing away) You think I'm like my mother? That's ridiculous!
Min-hwan: (grabbing her arm) Tell me the truth, Seulgi!
Seulgi: (struggling to break free) Let go of me, Min-hwan! You have no right to treat me like this!
Min-hwan: (tightening his grip) Answer me!
Seulgi: (forcefully) I am not my mother, and I'm not going to stay here and be accused of something I didn't do!
Min-hwan: (angrily) You're lying to me, just like she did!
Seulgi: (tears welling up) Let me go, Min-hwan. I'm leaving.
It was downright terrifying, and when Seulgi rightly called him out for scaring her, Min-hwan belittled her and gloated at her fear. Min-hwan took her anxious distress as "proof" of her infidelity, and the confrontation escalated to an aggressive wrist-grab that Seulgi couldn't break free from. The way he weaponized her fear—an entirely rational one for a woman walking alone at night—was sickening and true to life.
Thankfully, Min-hwan was wrenched away and judo-flipped onto the ground by Minho, who had made a worried U-turn after none of his calls to Seulgi went through. Witnessing Min-hwan's violence firsthand drove Minho into a rage at the thought of Seulgi's death, and his collar grab nearly turned into strangulation until Seulgi stopped him. Min-hwan scurried off like the coward that he was, leaving Seulgi to misunderstand Minho's intentions.
Minho: (grabbing Min-hwan forcefully and flipped him to the ground) What the hell do you think you're doing?
Min-hwan: (struggling) Get off me, Minho!
Minho: (angry) You were following Seulgi. What were you planning to do?
Min-hwan: (defensive) None of your business! Let me go!
Minho: (shouting) She's my friend, you bastard! You lay a hand on her again, and I'll—
Min-hwan: (interrupting) You'll what? You think you can protect her?
Minho: (furious, tightening his grip) I won't let you hurt her!
Min-hwan: (mocking) Like you could stop me. She's mine, not yours!
Minho: (growling) She deserves better than you. If you ever come near her again—
Seulgi: (rushing in, panicked) Stop! Minho, let him go!
Minho: (reluctantly releasing Min-hwan) Seulgi...
Min-hwan: (scrambling to his feet, sneering) You're lucky she stopped me, Minho. Next time, I won't hold back.
Having found out about Minho's intervention regarding the high school reunion, Seulgi believed he intended to cheat on Hee-yeon with her. To my relief, Minho wasn't a fan of miscommunication, and he immediately cleared up the misunderstanding. Indeed, he did like Seulgi—such refreshing honesty!—but Hee-yeon was his half-sister, and a hilarious phone call proved it. ("I love you." "Did you get diagnosed with terminal cancer?" "Are you being struck off the family registry?")
Afterwards, Minho walked Seulgi home, only to abruptly pass out on her shoulder. For a moment, I panicked right alongside Seulgi—it wasn't actually a cancer diagnosis, right? But the hospital's verdict turned out to be sleep deprivation, inconsistent meals, and overwork. Yep, sounds like Minho. He had placed Seulgi so firmly in the center of his world that he'd neglected to take care of himself. I hoped this would be the wake-up call he needed to prioritize himself too.
Minho was discharged and he hailed a cab home for Seulgi, reassuring her that despite his feelings, he wouldn't do anything that crossed a line or made her uncomfortable. If she said no, he'd respect it. That was why he was leading man material.
The scene of them heading home in two separate taxis might possibly be my favorite of the week. It reflected how Minho honored Seulgi's boundaries while thoughtfully caring for her. He didn't just make empty claims of being a good person—he demonstrated it, consistently and authentically.
Meanwhile, Seulgi was dealt a harsh blow when the nasty Team Manager Kim forcibly removed her name from her meal kit proposal to elevate himself. Minho caught on, but instead of unilaterally resolving the situation with his authority, he invited Seulgi out for some judo practice. Through judo techniques, Minho taught Seulgi to face her battles head-on and use her opponents' momentum against them. His advice gave her a fresh perspective and renewed spirit.
Using her knowledge of the future to her advantage, Seulgi leveraged viral videos of an arrogant executive's power trip scandal to publicly expose Manager Kim's proposal theft. The executive was dismissed, Manager Kim was disciplined, and a very elated Seulgi jammed out to celebratory music on the rooftop.
Seulgi: (excitedly) Minho, can you believe we both love BLACKPINK?
Minho: (smiling) I know, right? They're amazing. "Lovesick Girls" is definitely my favorite.
Seulgi: (nodding) Yes, and "How You Like That" is such a powerful song.
Minho: (pauses, puzzled) Wait a minute... "How You Like That"? That song hasn't been released yet.
Seulgi: (confused) What do you mean? It's been out for a while now.
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28 Reasons To Break Up With You
FantasyAn ill woman receives the final blow when she learns her bestie and husband are having an affair. She dies soon after, but is given a second chance at life. When she wakes up 10 years in her past, will she be able to change her future and wreak reve...
