My Youth Episode 12 aired on JTBC on the 17th. It brought quiet heartbreak, simple emotions, and a few moments of calm joy. The story closed with Seon Woo-hae, played by Song Joong-ki, and Sung Je-yeon, played by Chun Woo-hee, meeting again after a painful separation.
Seon Woo-hae, once full of life, was now struggling with a terminal illness. He had been preparing to leave for a clinical trial overseas. Je-yeon, trying to stay strong, told her friends Mo Tae-rin and Kim Seok-ju about his condition. She wanted to hope, but fear stayed in her eyes.
Woo-hae had earlier fallen into a coma before their date. When he finally woke up, his first words were an apology. He said he ruined their first Christmas together. Je-yeon smiled gently, saying, “It’s fine. My family is Buddhist anyway.” Her humor tried to hide the sadness.
He then told her about the doctors’ suggestion. The medical team wanted him to take part in an overseas clinical trial. He said it was discovered early and is still treatable. But his tone carried quiet uncertainty.
Je-yeon tried to look calm. But her eyes gave her away. She said she had called everyone close to him because she was afraid. She didn’t want to miss a last chance.
Woo-hae looked at her for a long moment before handing her the shop keys. He asked her to take care of the flower shop while he was gone. Je-yeon teased that she would take her “unpaid wages in kisses” and kissed him three times.
Love, Farewell, and the Waiting That Follows
Elsewhere, Woo-hae met Bang Han-na and decided to sell his original story. He wanted to leave no unfinished work behind. He also met Mo Tae-rin, who seemed lost between guilt and affection. Tae-rin told Je-yeon that she didn’t want to break up with Woo-hae, even after hearing about his illness.
At the same time, Seon Woo-chan and Kim Pil-du shared their quiet goodbye. Pil-du asked Woo-chan to leave with his son for the treatment. Woo-chan said sorry but thanked her too.
He asked, “If what you wanted was love, did we do it right?” Pil-du answered, “If we still want love when we meet again, then we’ll do it right next time.” Their farewell was painful but peaceful.
This secondary storyline perfectly encapsulates the drama’s core theme: the grace of imperfect love. Their conversation moves beyond apologies to a profound acceptance.
The line “If we still want love when we meet again, then we’ll do it right next time” suggests that love’s value isn’t negated by its end; it’s a timeless currency that can be redeemed in another life, offering a heartbreaking yet hopeful form of closure.
Woo-hae soon left Korea for the clinical trial. Those left behind tried to return to normal life. Tae-rin and Seok-ju, once awkward, grew closer. One night, Tae-rin got drunk and went to see Seok-ju. She asked if he wanted to go to the beach.
He smiled and suggested they go to his house instead. She refused, saying she didn’t go to other people’s homes. He confessed, “Then let me be your boyfriend.” She laughed and said yes. Their story ended in quiet warmth, a small happiness in the middle of pain.
Back at the flower shop, Je-yeon fell asleep while waiting for Woo-hae. She dreamt of him. In the dream, he looked healthy again. They talked about a time capsule with friends.
She didn’t want the dream to end. But it faded, and she woke up to find a letter. The letter was from Woo-hae. It carried his handwriting, his gentle words, his promise to return.
Quiet Reunion in the Flower Shop
Je-yeon walked to the flower shop again, the same one he had left behind. The door sign said “CLOSE.” Inside, the air smelled like the flowers he once arranged. Then she heard a sound.
Woo-hae was standing there, wearing an apron, holding a pot of flowers. He smiled like before. Je-yeon couldn’t believe it. She whispered, “This isn’t a dream, right?” Woo-hae said, “You can see it in the mirror.” They both smiled, tears forming in their eyes. They hugged each other tightly.
That was how My Youth ended. The story didn’t say if Woo-hae’s illness was cured. It left the answer open. Maybe he got better. Maybe it was just Je-yeon’s dream again. But it didn’t matter much. What stayed was love, memory, and time standing still for one last “hello.”
The episode didn’t use big emotions or loud scenes. It stayed quiet, slow, and heavy in its meaning. The characters acted like real people — unsure, scared, but still trying.
Woo-hae’s choice to join the trial felt realistic, not dramatic. Je-yeon’s waiting felt honest. It showed how people hold on, even when nothing is certain.
The drama’s final message was simple. Life doesn’t always give answers. Love doesn’t always win. But moments matter — the small talks, the laughter, the way someone waits even when they shouldn’t.
Review
Viewers online had mixed feelings. Some felt the ending was too open. Others said it was beautiful because it felt real. The chemistry between Song Joong-ki and Chun Woo-hee was natural and quiet, not forced. Their emotions carried the story more than the words did.
Ultimately, ‘My Youth’ will be remembered not for the story it concluded, but for the feelings it left unresolved. It holds a mirror to our own fears and the quiet bravery of loving despite them.
The open ending isn’t a question without an answer; it’s an invitation to find our own meaning within its beautiful, heartbreaking silence. What did his return at the end signify for you? Let us know in the comments.
Which moment in My Youth’s final episode touched you the most?
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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.
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