Heavenly Ever After episode 3, Lee Hae-sook is starting to live her new afterlife. But things aren’t peaceful yet. In fact, it’s getting more awkward and emotional. In JTBC’s weekend drama Heavenly Ever After, the story is slowly peeling back the layers. Each episode shows more about what life looks like in heaven — and it’s not what anyone expected.
In the third episode airing on May 26, Hae-sook (played by Kim Hye-ja) visits a church in heaven. It seems peaceful at first. But her encounter with a mysterious pastor (played by Ryu Deok-hwan) adds a new twist. The show shared still photos of this meeting, sparking interest online. Their meeting looks calm on the outside, but carries a lot of subtle tension.
In the last episode, Hae-sook and her husband, Go Nak-jun (played by Son Suk-goo), reunited in heaven. However, something felt off. Hae-sook is now 80 years old, while Nak-jun appears in his 30s. The age gap created discomfort and confusion. Their meeting wasn’t joyful. It felt strange and cold. They eventually shared a warm hug, realizing they still cared for each other. But just as things seemed better, a woman ran toward Nak-jun and hugged him. She called his name sweetly, and Hae-sook was left standing there in shock.
This is where episode 3 picks up. Hae-sook, upset by what happened, decides to leave Nak-jun. Her emotions are complex. She wants to live a life that feels right to her. Even in heaven, she doesn’t want to pretend everything is okay. She walks away and finds a new place: the heavenly church.
A New Character Shakes Things Up
The church, however, is not your usual place of worship. In heaven, there’s no need to repent or pray. So the pastor there doesn’t have much to do. Life in the church is slow, dull, and even. That’s until Hae-sook walks in. Her presence immediately stirs something in the pastor. He’s curious and almost excited to see her. But when he learns who she really is, his attitude changes. The mood becomes awkward and a little funny. While Hae-sook remains calm, the pastor looks completely shaken.
The scene highlights how even in heaven, people deal with feelings of surprise, nervousness, and misunderstanding. This isn’t a place of total peace just yet.
Meanwhile, Nak-jun is still struggling. He tells Hae-sook he wants her to be happy. He even tries to show his love through a sweet event. But just then, Somyi (played by Han Ji-min) appears again. She rushes to him and hugs him, saying she came to heaven for him. Hae-sook loses her temper. She pulls Somyi’s hair. Nak-jun tries to stop her, and then she pulls his hair too. Her anger is raw and honest. She yells at Nak-jun, asking who he really wants by his side.
Honest Words, Sharp Truths, and a Surprising Reveal
Later, Nak-jun shares his side of the story. He explains that he’s a postman between heaven and Earth. He met Somyi when he stopped her from going to hell. She was someone he couldn’t ignore. But that explanation only adds more confusion for Hae-sook.
She opens up about how hurt she feels. She thinks Nak-jun still doesn’t get it. To her, it feels like he cares more for Somyi because she’s young and beautiful. Somyi quickly jumps in to say that Hae-sook is still pretty, calling her “Grandma.” That word makes things worse. Hae-sook doesn’t want to be treated like she’s old and fragile. When Nak-jun calls her “Ma’am” instead, it feels too late.
In heaven, there’s a strange rule. Every time you do something bad, you get a grape. Six grapes, and you’re sent to hell. Hae-sook already has four. She jokes that people might travel to Europe in life, but in heaven, she’s on her way to hell.
At the training center, she warns the staff not to let Somyi near her. She’s not ready to forgive or forget. She tells Nak-jun he can live without her now. She’s done pretending to be okay. She wants to find what suits her, even if it means walking away.
The episode ends on a deep note. Hae-sook rides the “Heavenly Bus” and goes back to the 1950s. She meets her mother again and finds comfort. Her mother’s love is strong, even after Hae-sook learns a painful truth about her birth. After that, she returns to Nak-jun, and they try to start over.
This drama continues to show that even in heaven, people carry their old wounds. The characters are not perfect. They argue, feel jealous, and struggle to understand each other. That’s what makes this story relatable. It’s not just about the afterlife. It’s about relationships, healing, and the need to be seen and loved.
This drama is different from the usual fantasy shows. It feels closer to real life, just set in a strange version of heaven. JTBC Heavenly Ever After episode 3 summary shows how heaven doesn’t solve all problems. It just gives people a second chance to face them.
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.