A Late Regret

Dare to Love Me Episode 8 runs us back to the hospital as Hong-do explains to Yoon-bok that his mother is quite unwell. But it’s not her place to say so, inadvertently pressuring Yoon-bok without knowing the full story. While she confronts him for closing everyone out, he defends his perspective also noting that he’s completed her three wishes and is finished with that too.

Getting some air with her mother, Yi-bok is gutted to see Yoon-bok walk away and moments later, their mother collapses. On his side, Yoon-bok can’t stop thinking of Hong-do’s words. And in the hospital, the doctor suggests they should prepare for the end.

READ MORE: Click for more K-drama and K-movie reviews

Elsewhere, Hong-hak wines as Yoon-ah cleans his wound but claims he’s all in for her. He wants to do it again and while her imagination returns to their night together, he’s actually thinking he’d like to try their webtoon again – but if she’s considering, he’ll wait for that too. As an artist, he’d like her to be his muse, keen to hear all her high-action stories. To cheers, she demonstrates a flying kick.

In Seongsan Village, Camille arrives to find that she’ll need to cook and shop for herself with Yeojudaek only a 30-minute walk away. Making the most of her opportunity, in exercise gear, she heads to the Village shocking people as she goes. After a visit to a café, she’s made more enemies than friends and is tossed out.

That evening, Hong-do arrives home worrying about Yoon-bok, but he’s not responding to her calls. Instead, he’s back in the village venting as he practices swordsmanship. He thinks of his sister’s message saying his mother won’t last. And, the next day, visits the hospital while his mother sleeps, noting how she avoided him whenever he tried to see her. Why did she abandon him? This time, he’ll be the one to do it.

At the village, Chil-bok gives Yeojudaek mittens and while she calls him silly, she’s secretly touched by the gesture. And Se-Ryeong is overjoyed to receive a marriage proposal with Yoon-bok. While the future groom is disappointed to hear his grandfather made the move, he doesn’t think he can avoid it. So, Yoon-ah drives him to the village but just as they arrive, he receives the call that his mother has passed. Immediately returning for the funeral, he pays his formal respects as a last duty. Before leaving, Yi-bok passes on a package from their mother.

Finally opening it, he finds photos of him during his visits to Seoul – she had been watching. And a letter explaining that her father-in-law blamed her for her husband’s death, sending her away and maintaining that Yoon-bok must stay to carry on the family duty. Later, Grandfather confirmed she could meet him after Yoon-bok took leadership but not before. So, she’d avoided him when he searched for her in Seoul. The missive ends with a wish for him to love freely.

At the village, Yoon-bok confronts his grandfather for telling him his mother had abandoned him, angry at the destiny pushed onto him. He vows to reject his duty having missed the chance to forgive his mother.

In Seoul, Hong-do searches for Yoon-bok, who’s not yet returned home. Meanwhile, Yeojudaek calls her son to go look after him since his mother has passed.

Leader Shin arrives at the funeral service to find a sleeping Yi-bok. When Jun-ho arrives, seeing him there he steps back out. While Shin apologizes to Yoon-bok’s mother for separating her from her son, hoping for forgiveness. When Yi-bok wakes, she notices a recent incense stick.

Out in the rain, Yoon-bok walks in a daze but he’s soon found by Hong-do. She gives him the umbrella and then runs off into the rain but is instead surprised by a desperate back hug.

The Epilogue has Camille out in the dark with a lamp, looking for the bathroom. She imagines a hand grabbing her foot, freaking out.

The Episode Review

In a sad resolution, Yoon-bok finally finds out why his mother left him only after it’s too late to reconcile. Then, a now regret-filled Yoon-bok confronts his grandfather for sending her away and renounces all duty to the family. It’s an emotion-filled impulsive move, but will he once again have regrets? He’s bred for duty – what will he be without one to fulfil? Can he really love freely? And if Hong-do does get the opportunity to go to France, does that mean Yoon-bok can go too – like his grandfather who may have wanted to remain there with Camille back then?

It’s a turn of events but for all the wrong and likely stubborn reasons, Yoon-bok may find himself in the same position again. What if his grandfather suffers from the shock?

Think Hong-do can save Yoon-bok from himself? Let us know in the comments below. 

 READ MORE: Click for more K-drama and K-movie reviews