My Dearest Nemesis’ ending is sweet, romantic, and perfectly happy. The K-drama, based on the popular manhwa of the same name, tells the story of a hard-working woman from a working-class family and a “chaebol” heir of one of the biggest companies in South Korea. While that might seem like your typical K-drama, Su-Jeong is also 5 years older than Ju-Yeon, and they have a past that is a little bit hard to get over. When Su-Jeong was in high school, she played a video game for her brother to make him win because she didn’t want her family to lose in any way. While playing though, Su-Jeong met a group of people she really liked and became friends with. However, the one she liked the most was a guy named Black Dragon, who happened to be in middle school but deceived Su-Jeong because he liked her too. When they finally met in person, she publicly humiliated him for scamming her. Then began their hate story; however, as adults, they don’t recognize each other, and Ju-Yeon happens to be Su-Jeong’s boss (yikes). Will they get their happy ending and forgive each other? Let’s find out in My Dearest Nemesis’ finale.
Spoiler Alert
Why Does Ju-Yeon Want Su-Jeong To Go To America?
In My Dearest Nemesis episode 11, Su-Jeong is offered a job in the US because of the scandal of her relationship with Ju-Yeon being out. Su-Jeong’s the kind of person who always fights for what’s right, rather than keeping her head down just to be treated better at work. To everybody around, this seems like a good opportunity because Su-Jeong would be treated badly by the public, her company and more since she’s with the next successor of the company. After overhearing everything that her colleagues are talking about, Ju-Yeon tells Su-Jeong at the beginning of the final episode that she should leave because it’s a good opportunity for her. It does sound almost like a breakup because he tells her he won’t be hurt by it, etc.; however, it is when he talks to his secretary that we realize that he means to follow her there. See, Ju-Yeon only worked hard all his life to earn the love of his grandma. Not to become the next successor, not to become the director of the company or any of that sort of thing.
It seems Su-Jeong knows exactly how Ju-Yeon feels though, because she pretends to be getting rid of his stuff from her place but actually plans a surprise for him at his. Yeah, it’s only the thought that counts in this case because lord knows her cooking skills aren’t enough. But she then tells him she has no plans of moving because she likes her place at Yongsung. But she does tell him that if they don’t offer her a good position in the future, she might consider leaving.
Now, Su-Jeong’s been working hard all her life to help her dad and basically be the breadwinner of the family. But, now that her dad’s come upon some money (which we’ll get into in just a bit), she’s able to live her life a bit more freely. Su-Jeong’s dad tells her that he doesn’t need to be a burden on her anymore. She tells him he was never a burden, and he and her brother were a motivation for her. Su-Jeong tells Ju-Yeon that she’s visiting her mum in the columbarium, and this makes him think about visiting his parents too. It happens to be the same one, and Su-Jeong becomes the first person ever to go to Ju-Yeon’s parents’ grave together with him. I suppose it’s like her first introduction to them, but it turns out the day they first met in person was on Ju-Yeon’s parents’ death anniversary. Ju-Yeon tells Su-Jeong that back then he felt like she was a gift to him from his parents; though everything got messed up that day, now he can finally be grateful for the gift for real.
Does Ju-Yeon’s Grandmother Finally Come To Her Senses?
In the final episode, Ju-Yeon’s grandmother asks her secretary (the same one as Ju-Yeon’s) why she helped a boy who was so eager for love. To her, love is a weakness that makes a human being incapable of getting work done. But this is also because she lost her child while Ju-Yeon lived, so she always blamed him for what happened. Her secretary tells her that she helped the boy out of the humanity in her heart. She tells her that it is that love that he was so desperate for that made him strong and hardworking. It motivated him to be the best version of himself (though that part’s a bit debatable, eh?). Finally, Ju-Yeon’s grandmother decides to apologize to her grandson for treating him like trash. She tells him that she blamed herself, and I guess she needed a punching bag to feel better, so she made the little boy Ju-Yeon that punching bag.
What Happens Between Ha-Jin And Sin-Won?
In episode 11, Sin-Won made his very drunken public confession (unknowingly) to Ha-Jin over the phone. To his surprise, she said, “I love you” back, which made him very happy. But why did Ha-Jin change her mind? I guess Ha-Jin’s been afraid to jump back into love because of her cheating ex-husband. It’s only fair she’d be cautious and put out spikes like a porcupine. Interestingly, Sin-Won is meant to be a “chill guy,” and some even called him a player. However, he fell hard for her and was willing to change his ways for her. Finally, Ha-Jin realizes that he does really care for her genuinely and will not break her heart because he fell harder first. Later, when they’re on a double date outing, Sin-Won tells Ha-Jin that she should keep testing him when she’s anxious because it’ll help them be a stronger pair. A happy ending for our adorable second-lead couple! Also, yes, they will eventually get married, definitely before Su-Jeong and Ju-Yeon. If only it were actually that easy to become an overnight success because of a viral video… Sigh. Sulo will continue to be a super hit, I’m sure.
Do Su-Jeong and Ju-Yeon Get a Happy Ending?
During My Dearest Nemesis’ ending, Su-Jeong gets promoted to district chief, and everything looks to be going upward. Her dad’s now rich because he’d been buying Yongsong shares all this time, and the success of the restoration project essentially made the stock price go up, allowing him to sell high and sustain himself. Her brother even becomes a firefighter, making her prouder than she’s ever been. Even Ju-Yeong’s grandmother approves of Su-Jeong, whom she claims is better than they deserve. Su-Jeong never finds a hobby, but she does tell Ju-Yeon that she enjoys the time she has with him. But, most importantly, Su-Jeong and Ju-Yeon are now happily and publicly together, and it’ll all be okay because those who matter approve of the pairing. For those who don’t, there’ll always be women like Hye-Joo who knock some sense into them.
My Dearest Nemesis is a reminder to fight for what you like and never hide the parts of you that you think might be childish. It’s a show about self-acceptance and using the power of love to your benefit. Of course, it’s a sweet and happy ending, and we can imagine that this duo will go on to make a very successful power couple with their company at the top of the Korean top 3, eh? In the end, their dark pasts turned into a bright future, so friends, remember, it’s okay to forgive, and it’s okay to let go of the past for a better future.
