No Gain No Love kdrama – Finale Episode 12 Recap and Spoilers.
Shin Min-ah and Kim Young-dae embarked on a love story with nothing to lose, culminating in a tightly wrapped happy ending.
In the final episode of the tvN X TVING original drama No Gain No Love, which aired on October 1 (Tuesday), Son Ha-young (Shin Min-ah), who despises feeling lost, accepted Kim Ji-wook’s (Kim Young-dae) love without any reservations. The final episode recorded an average viewership rating of 5.1% in the metropolitan area, peaking at 6.6%, and an average of 4.8% with a peak of 6.1% nationwide across paid platforms that include cable, IPTV, and satellite. This secured first place in viewership ratings for the same time slot on both cable and comprehensive channels, ending the series with great affection from viewers (based on paid platforms / provided by Nielsen Korea).
Ha-young and Ji-wook, suddenly faced with the death of Lee Eun-ok (Yoon Bok-in), held a sorrowful funeral. Ha-young, who had always believed her mother lived a life of loss, reevaluated her thoughts when she saw her foster son visiting Eun-ok’s funeral. Ji-wook, who had been silently supporting Ha-young, said, “I’ve had a fake groom, so can’t I be a fake mourner?” He shared in their grief by adding his name to Eun-ok’s mourner list.
Ha-young expressed her gratitude to Ji-wook for being by her mother’s side while she was away, but soon bid him farewell, saying, “I don’t want to be your reason for living, your reason for existing.” The sight of Ha-young letting Ji-wook go, hoping he would live a free life without feeling the need to protect her, resonated deeply with viewers. Ji-wook left for a foreign country, greeted by his half-brother Bok Gyu-hyun (Lee Sang-yi), Chief Jang (Yoon Seo-hyun), and Bok Ki-ho (Choi Jin-ho). The bond between Ji-wook and Kyu-hyun, as he calls him “hyung,” added warmth to their relationship.
Three months later, Hae-young and Kyu-hyun’s secretary Yeo Ha-jun (Lee Yoo-jin) left “Honeybee Education” to start a new venture but failed to secure investment. She returned to her former boss, Kyu-hyun, with Ha-jun. Kyu-hyun’s positive response gave Ha-young a moment of hope, but she was shocked to learn from Bok Gi-woon (Lee Chang-ho) that Ji-wook had come to Korea for a wedding.
Meanwhile, Kyu-hyun achieved the top spot in annual sales but found himself on a blind date due to Ki-ho and Seon Jeong-ah’s (Lee Il-hwa) scheme. Kyu-hyun and Nam Ja-yeon (Han Ji-hyun) faced a crisis due to jealousy and misunderstandings, but Kyu-hyun attempted to reconcile by supporting Ja-yeon, who had stepped into the spotlight as the writer of “Yeon Bora.” He expressed his sincerity with a ring, and like any other couple, they happily appeared together, promising a second season just for the two of them.
Ja-yeon, who happened to see Ji-wook at a hotel, kept this encounter a secret from Hae-young, but that period of secrecy didn’t last long. Hae-young, visiting Eun-ok’s house, saw Ji-wook laughing with another woman and ran away, convinced he had a new lover. Her continued concern for Ji-wook, even while hiding, made it clear that she missed him.
At the end of the broadcast, Hae-young coincidentally met Ji-wook outside the convenience store where he worked. While inquiring about his well-being, she revealed a secret she had kept close to her heart. The day they first met was the first anniversary of Hae-young’s father’s death, and the person who gave her her grandmother’s lighter when she was about to smoke out of frustration was none other than him. Hae-young attempted to smile and turned away, saying she would never forget Ji-wook, who inadvertently introduced her to smoking.
Ji-wook, sensing Hae-young’s feelings, clarified that the woman he had been seen with was actually his mother’s daughter and once again expressed his feelings for her, saying, “I’ve come back to where my heart is.” The revelation of their intertwined fates, alongside Ji-wook’s heartfelt confession while intoxicated, filled the living room with excitement.
The next day, Hae-young woke up and searched for Ji-wook, who was nowhere to be found. When Ji-wook returned home, Hae-young, relieved, confessed, “I love you. I love you, Ji-wook.” Hae-young, who often focused on losses but had hidden her feelings due to calculations, and Ji-wook, who left to avoid hurting her, rekindled their love without the burden of loss. The series concluded with a passionate kiss, leaving behind only happy moments and a lasting impression of their journey.
No Gain No Love captivated viewers with its unpredictable plot, striking a perfect balance of romance, comedy, and emotion. Writer Kim Hye-young demonstrated her skillful storytelling, while director Kim Jung-sik showcased his talent for blending comedy and romance. With the passionate performances of both the leading and supporting actors, who brought their characters to life, No Gain No Love concluded with great success, establishing itself as a standout romantic comedy that left a significant mark in the latter half of 2024.
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