A remake of a Swedish series by Josephine Bornebusch, Love Me centers on a flawed yet deeply relatable family, tracing how each member navigates love, loss, and personal growth. As the series moves into its latter half, the emotional dynamics between the younger characters take a decisive turn.
In the previous episode, Seo Jun Seo (Lee Si Woo) made a genuine attempt to escape the monotonous cycle of his daily life. His efforts bore fruit when he gained recognition from his academic advisor and secured an internship opportunity. However, the moment he tried to share the news with his girlfriend Yoon Sol (Kim Shana), he was met with a devastating confession: she had cheated and moved on.
The shock sent Jun Seo spiraling. After a physical altercation and emotional collapse, he did what he had always done in moments of crisis—he turned to his closest friend, Ji Hye On (TWICE’s Dahyun). Yet Hye On, watching Jun Seo fall apart, was carrying pain of her own. Years of suppressed feelings surfaced, and she finally confessed her emotions. What followed was an impulsive kiss and a night neither of them was prepared to face. The next morning, Jun Seo left without resolving what had happened, while Hye On, despite her feelings, chose not to stop him.
Previews for the upcoming episodes reveal Jun Seo sinking deeper into inner conflict. Retracing the path once taken by his father Seo Jin Ho (Yoo Jae Myung), he visits a church, where Priest Chang Sik (Lee Si Hoon) asks whether everything stemmed from a moment of reckless passion. Unable to answer, Jun Seo remains caught between guilt and confusion, struggling to even define his emotions. In a quiet moment, he cautiously approaches Hye On and says, “I think I should apologize.”
Newly released stills heighten the emotional tension between them. Standing face to face, their differing emotional states are unmistakable. Hye On draws a clear boundary, telling Jun Seo that her feelings are her own and that she expects nothing from him. Her slightly disheveled appearance hints that unresolved pain continues to weigh heavily on her.
Reflecting on the story’s progression, Lee Si Woo encouraged viewers to pay close attention to how the relationship shifts after the kiss, as well as Jun Seo’s gradual growth as he confronts his own flaws. Dahyun added that the most compelling aspect of the latter half lies in the choices the two make once their belief that they understood each other completely begins to crumble. She also expressed hope that viewers would look forward to the tender yet poignant moments of youth that Jun Seo and Hye On will share.
With Jun Seo’s apology rooted in guilt and Hye On choosing distance over expectation, the future of their relationship remains uncertain. The next episode of Love Me airs on January 9 at 8:50 p.m. KST.
