'Spring of Youth' left audiences in shock with a cliffhanger ending as Park Ji-hu discovers her song has been stolen, plunging into panic and confirming plagiarism.
The latest episode of SBS's youth drama 'Spring of Youth' (written by Kim Min-chul, directed by Kim Sung-yong) aired on the 28th, threw the audience into a whirlwind of harsh trials and wicked plot twists, peaking their engagement. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode scored a nationwide rating of 1.4%, with 1.1% in the metropolitan area, showing an increase from the previous episode and hinting at a promising upward trend.
The episode began with Park Ji-hu, playing Kim Bom, searching frantically for Ha Yoo-jun's character, Sagye, who had disappeared. Meanwhile, Sagye, after a drunken night at his close manager's house, Yoon Seung-soo (played by Han Jin-hee), tried to find out the identity of the cornea donor at the hospital where he had the transplant but to no avail. He later realized that the moment of the transplant, which was a blessing for him, was the most horrific moment for Kim Bom.
Walking out of the hospital, Sagye stumbled upon the accident site where Kim Bom's mother had died, realizing that the scene he saw in his dreams was actually Kim Bom's mother's last memory. At the same time, Seo Min-chul (played by Kim Jong-tae), the father of Seo Tae-yang (played by Lee Seung-hyub), spotted Sagye at the site, escalating the sense of crisis.
Meanwhile, Kim Bom was approached by Georgina (played by Han Yoo-eun), who offered to buy her song for a high price to solve the plagiarism dispute over 'The Crown's comeback song. However, Kim Bom, determined to produce her own music, declined the offer. Georgina then deceitfully claimed Kim Bom's song as her own, receiving praise from the company's president and proceeding to record, which spelled trouble.
Later, Kim Bom rushed to the police station upon hearing that a witness to her mother's hit-and-run had come forward. However, Sagye, the actual informant, failed to appear, fearing he might hurt Kim Bom without solid evidence, leaving her disappointed.
On the other hand, Seo Min-chul allowed Seo Tae-yang to pursue music on the condition that he joins 'The Crown', emphasizing that Tae-yang was originally meant to be in Sagye's place, having won first place in 'The Crown's audition six years ago. Seo Min-chul also asked the company's president to make Tae-yang the new leader of 'The Crown', while Sagye was advised not to worry due to lack of evidence.
Feeling helpless about Sagye's whereabouts, Kim Bom followed Seo Tae-yang to meet Sagye, only to hear Sagye decide to quit 'Two Sagye', claiming he had lost interest. This left Kim Bom heartbroken, and Seo Tae-yang, unable to hold back, confronted Sagye with anger.
After trying to cheer up Kim Bom with drinks, Seo Tae-yang drunkenly confessed his feelings, only to be firmly rejected by Kim Bom, who admitted she had someone else in her heart. Meanwhile, Sagye, longing for Kim Bom, confronted the company's president, demanding answers about the past, but was met with defiance.
The next day, after receiving a call from Seo Min-chul about a new opportunity, Kim Bom announced the dissolution of 'Two Sagye'. Seo Tae-yang expressed his frustration, but Kim Bom firmly encouraged him to pursue his dreams without her. As Kim Bom tore down their band's caricature, she broke down in tears in the bathroom, releasing her pent-up emotions.
In the final scene, while working a part-time job, Kim Bom was shocked to hear her own song playing on the speaker, revealed to be 'The Crown's new comeback song, leading to a heart-wrenching 'plagiarism confirmation' ending that left viewers eagerly awaiting the next episode.
'Spring of Youth' airs every Wednesday night at 10:40 PM.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)