Love Your Enemy – K-drama Episode 12 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

Episode 12

Episode 12 of Love Your Enemy begins with a flashback to 12 years ago when Yoon Ji-won’s father discovered Gyung-hoon embezzling funds from the company. He sought help from Seok Ji-won’s father, but the senior Seok refused to assist. While returning to confront Gyung-hoon, Yoon’s father got into an accident with Gyung-hoon, who was on his way to meet him. Gyung-hoon decided not to call for help and destroyed the car’s dashcam.

In the present, Jae-ho discovers the truth but, due to his illness, momentarily mistakes Gyung-hoon for his son. As Gyung-hoon flees with Seok Ji-won chasing him, the police arrive, and Yoon Ji-won takes care of her grandfather.

At the hospital, it’s revealed that Jae-ho is suffering from cognitive impairment with a high risk of dementia, though it’s not as severe as it first appeared. Meanwhile, Gyung-hoon is arrested and given the strictest possible punishment.

As summer vacation begins, Mun-soo leaves the city to try swimming again. Meanwhile, Soo-ah and Dr. Hong’s relationship progresses, and the two plan to have dinner together.

Jae-ho meets Gyung-hoon and tells him he regrets taking him under his wing. This leads to Jae-ho and Seok Ji-won’s father moving past their rivalry. Jae-ho expresses his gratitude to the Seok family, while Seok Ji-won’s father expresses guilt over Jae-ho’s son’s death, which occurred shortly after he refused to help them 12 years ago.

After resolving their family rivalry, the Seok and Yoon families hilariously quarrel over the wedding details until Seok Ji-won’s grandmother, who was Jae-ho’s past love interest, arrives to smooth things over.

Fast forward a few days: Seok Ji-won arrives late to his pre-wedding shoot, only to be mesmerized by Yoon Ji-won’s beauty. As a cherry on top, the new couple begins their usual quarrels after a thunderstorm ruins their shoot.

Meanwhile, at Dr. Hong’s farewell party, Soo-ah and Dr. Hong make excuses to spend time together, revealing they have started dating. Elsewhere, Ji-hye finally confesses to Ji-won about coming between the two Ji-wons during high school and apologizes. Ji-won forgives her, and they mend their friendship. Realizing how important their relationship is, Seok Ji-won and Yoon Ji-won reconcile after their argument.

Jae-ho and Seok Ji-won’s grandmother spend time together playing board games and reminiscing about their past. Elsewhere, Seok Ji-won proposes an ecological park instead of a golf course in the city to support local communities.

Later, Seok Ji-won departs for a month-long business trip to New Zealand. Ji-hye meets a new math teacher who catches her eye. Meanwhile, Jae-ho becomes an expert adviser for the ecological park project in the local mountains.

Seok Ji-won’s absence weighs heavily on Yoon Ji-won, especially around Christmas. When it begins snowing, she goes to Namsan Tower, only to find Seok Ji-won waiting for her. He promises never to leave her again. In a flashback, we see them as kids playing house, where Seok Ji-won refused to marry Yoon Ji-won. Young Ji-won had confessed to him and tried to convince him with a kiss on the cheek. In the present, Seok Ji-won and Yoon Ji-won embrace as the episode ends.

The Episode Review

Love Your Enemy’s finale is as lighthearted as the entire series, with all the loose ends tied up as neatly as possible. For a rom-com K-drama, the finale was predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. Perhaps the joy of watching such a low-maintenance show lies in its predictability, as many viewers find comfort in knowing things will turn out well for everyone involved.

However, Love Your Enemy doesn’t quite measure up to other K-dramas of a similar genre. The characters remain flat, and apart from the main leads, many fade into the background. Seok Ji-won and Yoon Ji-won’s backstories also feel underdeveloped. Additionally, certain character motivations, like Gyung-hoon’s, remain unclear.

While he appeared regretful of his actions, he also expressed contempt in earlier scenes for looking after Jae-ho. Mun-soo is another character who feels dull, serving only as Yoon Ji-won’s love interest and a plot device. That said, some characters, like Cha Ji-hye, experienced growth. However, the cons of the show outweighed the pros.  Overall, despite the K-drama falling short in many aspects, the finale offers a light, no-brainer watch that provides a somewhat satisfying end to the series.