The two-part arc of Family by Choice, Episodes 9 and 10, dives deep into the emotional aftermath of our characters’ separation and explores the ways they’ve changed—and stayed the same—since high school. With the boys back after years apart, unresolved feelings, heartbreak, and fresh starts collide in these episodes, setting the stage for a heartfelt reunion full of tension and nostalgia.

Parting Words and Lingering Hurt

The episodes pick up with San-ha, Hae-joon, and Joo-won at a crossroads, navigating the rocky terrain of farewells and broken promises. San-ha’s departure is especially painful for Joo-won, who learns from him that he’s leaving for “responsibilities” back home. The weight of this revelation—that she isn’t one of those responsibilities—stings Joo-won deeply, driving her to avoid the boys altogether and, in a comically relatable moment, drown her sorrows in four cakes at her favorite bakery. When San-ha catches up to her, he tries to make amends, vowing he’ll return after college and never leave again. It’s a touching, sincere moment that rekindles Joo-won’s trust, but she’s clearly wary of broken promises.

Meanwhile, the boys’ fathers, Dad Kim and Dad Yoon, share in the heartache of their sons’ departures. They bicker and drink together, lamenting the lost bonds and reminiscing on old times. In an emotional exchange, San-ha confides in Dad Kim about his mother’s mental health struggles, which have pressured him to return. Dad Kim supports his decision but can’t help but worry about the weight San-ha is carrying on his young shoulders.

Hae-joon and Dal’s Growing Feelings

Hae-joon’s storyline reconnects him with Dal, who’s harbored a crush on him for years. A humorous “saving Dal from a flying football” moment brings them closer, and just before Hae-joon leaves for America, he shares a sweet goodbye with her. While Dal’s dramatic reaction—wailing on the roadside—is both heartbreaking and amusing, it underscores her genuine affection for Hae-joon.

Before he leaves, Dad Yoon shares one last heart-to-heart with Hae-joon, reminding him that happiness is more important than success. This touching conversation reveals the strength of their bond and hints at Hae-joon’s struggle to balance his dreams with his sense of obligation.

A Decade Apart and a Shocking Return

Time skips forward, revealing Joo-won as a young woman who’s poured her energy into her bakery, aptly named Daldal. Every year she waits for the boys’ return, and with each passing birthday, her optimism dims. She tries to move on, but the past lingers—especially as rumors of a strange man hanging around her bakery make her uneasy.

This “lurker” turns out to be Hae-joon, who hilariously reappears in Joo-won’s life by accident, landing both of them at the police station. Adding to the chaos, San-ha arrives after discovering the bakery’s disarray, leading to an amusing family reunion that leaves the poor detective puzzled by their tangled relationships. The boys are back, but Joo-won’s reaction is far from welcoming—she’s hurt by their years of silence and unresolved feelings bubble to the surface.

Dinner Tensions and Buried Pain

The reunited family shares a tense dinner, where the dads are overjoyed, but the “three musketeers” aren’t quite as thrilled. Joo-won’s awkwardness is palpable; she confides in Dal that she thought she’d be happy to see the boys, but all she feels is resentment. Her frustration mounts when she realizes Hae-joon now lives next door with San-ha, who’s studying medicine, and a down-on-his-luck Hae-joon, who Dal hilariously catches half-dressed in their apartment.

As the family gathers for Joo-won’s birthday, Hae-joon’s painful history surfaces. San-ha reveals that Hae-joon had suffered a severe injury that forced him to give up basketball, a revelation that shocks both the dads and Joo-won, who feels betrayed by their silence. In a heart-wrenching moment, Dad Yoon reassures Hae-joon that he’s proud of him and wishes he hadn’t taken on so much alone. The raw emotions and tenderness of this scene highlight the enduring bond between father and son.

San-ha’s Confession and Unanswered Questions

San-ha’s return isn’t without motives, as he takes every chance to be around Joo-won and spoil her, though she’s wary of his intentions. In a moment of impulsive honesty, he blurts out that he’s loved her for ten years—a confession that leaves Joo-won stunned and viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering how she’ll respond.

These episodes end on a bittersweet note, with many mysteries still to unravel. We’re left wondering about Hae-joon’s real father, the depth of San-ha’s struggles, and whether Joo-won will find it in herself to forgive and accept the family she once cherished. With the past rearing its head and fresh possibilities for romance and redemption, Family by Choice sets the stage for the emotional journeys that lie ahead.