“Love Your Enemy” episodes 3 and 4 dive deep into the 18-year-long feud between Yoon-ji and Seok-ji, revealing the surprising truth behind their animosity. The episode opens with the fallout from their bet regarding the lilacs – will they bloom, signifying a reconciliation? The students are overwhelmingly on Seok-ji’s side, much to Yoon-ji’s chagrin. Secretly, Seok-ji waters the lilacs, while Yoon-ji contemplates more drastic measures. Their mutual dislike is amplified by Ji-hye, who harbors unrequited feelings for Seok-ji and is revealed to be the mastermind behind their long separation.

A significant portion of the episodes flashes back to high school, showcasing the adorable, clandestine romance between the younger Yoon-ji and Seok-ji. Their secret rendezvous at a hidden pond, culminating in their first kiss, are heartwarmingly depicted. Their relationship tragically ends when Seok-ji’s father suffers a heart attack, leading to a move to Seoul and lost contact. A poignant scene on a snowy night shows both separately going to their pre-arranged meeting spot at Namsan observatory, only to find the other absent, leading to heartbreak and the symbolic discarding of a handmade scarf.

The present-day narrative reveals Ji-hye’s manipulative actions. She intercepted a text from Seok-ji to Yoon-ji, impersonated her to end their communication, and blocked his number. This shocking revelation throws the entire premise of their feud into sharp relief.

The present-day antics continue with a comical scene at the pond where Yoon-ji falls in, and Seok-ji heroically (and maybe accidentally) saves her. At school, a classic K-drama trope occurs when Seok-ji falls off a ladder while inspecting a leak, landing dramatically on Yoon-ji. This comedic misadventure highlights their undeniable chemistry.

A heartbreaking flashback reveals the devastating events that shaped Yoon-ji’s life: she was fired from her dream job after exposing a CEO’s sexual misconduct, followed by the deaths of her parents and the revelation of her father’s embezzlement. Simultaneously, we see Moon-soo’s struggles with a career-ending swimming injury. Their paths intertwine on a hospital rooftop, both contemplating suicide before deciding to support each other. Their shared trauma and a blurry memory of a rescue attempt create confusion about who saved whom.

Seok-ji’s visit to Yoon-ji’s house reveals Moon-soo spending the night, sparking Seok-ji’s jealousy. The episode culminates in Seok-ji’s surprising intervention at his father’s planned humiliation of Yoon-ji’s grandfather at the chairman’s inauguration ceremony. The episode ends with a shocking twist: Moon-soo and Seok-ji both moving into the school housing with Yoon-ji, setting up a chaotic cohabitation scenario.

The epilogue reveals Seok-ji was present at Yoon-ji’s parents’ funeral, and at the hospital after her collapse. He found her and Moon-soo on the rooftop, highlighting his silent support and unwavering love. The episode ends with a sense of hope but also lingering questions about the future dynamics between Yoon-ji, Seok-ji, and Moon-soo. The flashback scenes, while extensive, add depth and emotional resonance to the present-day narrative, and the comedic timing is superb.