Episode 12 of Love in Contract starts with Hae-Jin heading on-air and playing damage control. After beating down that biker, the questions turn to ask him about the stalker and his ties with Sang-Eun. Of course, this has now gone viral, and as a result everyone is in a precarious position.
Sang-Eun is well aware of this and points out what a tricky situation it is. Sheβs intent on trying to fix everything and resolve what damage this has done, with Ji-Ho trusting her to do as much and leaving her to her own devices. When Sang-Eun actually reads through the posts properly, realizing they were written by Sun-hoβs sister, she struggles to hold back tears.
At work, Ji-Ho is congratulated over his promotion by the department. Now, it seems like the Chief has no idea whatβs happening as heβs only subscribed to a physical newspaper so doesnβt know about the scandals. Ji-Ho though rejects his promotion and decides he only wants to do the job heβs currently doing.
Meanwhile, Jung comes up with a cunning plan to make Sang-Eun the bad guy in all this and frame it so Hae-Jin is the victim. While Hae-Jin is against it, Sang-Eun decides to weather the storm and face the music herself. Although it would mean sheβs going to be vilified across the nation, itβll protect Hae-Jinβs image. Hae-Jin though, steps up and tries to talk her out of this.
Meanwhile, Gwang-Nam speaks to Ji-Ho and points out how much Sang-Eun likes him. The thing is, Madam Yoo is a constant thorn in her side and whilst she meddles in Sang-Eunβs life, she feels like she can never truly be happy.
After hearing this, Ji-Ho immediately starts to research Eena Group in a bid to understand Yooβs role there. Part of this comes from seeing Jung and working with her to help Sang-Eun. However, Jung refuses to play ball, pointing out that sheβd rather he hate her than working to strengthen his relationship.
When he rings Sang-Eun, she decides they should keep a distance from one another for the time being. Ji-Ho refuses, and shows up to see her at the coffee shop, where sheβs crying. Ji-ho comforts her.
Meanwhile, Hae-Jin decides to call a press conference to right the wrongs but Jung gets involved, promising to do what she can to salvage their relationship. Hae-Jin trusts her but of course Jung immediately outs Sang-Eunβs 12 prior divorces and tells the public that Sang-Eun and Hae-Jin are more in love than anyone else. After hearing this on the news, Sang-Eun realizes that she needs to see Hae-Jin to clear everything up properly.
Together, they discuss a better course of action. Hae-Jin thinks they should get married but Sang-Eun drops an absolutely clanger. She points out that sheβs not actually the daughter of Eena Group. She grew up abroad to hide that fact, as she was seen as Eena Groupβs βprojectβ. She goes on to explain that theyβre fundamentally different and as such, marriage is completely off the table.
Sang-Eun and Ji-Ho continue their ties together at night, and in fact she shows up at Miss Kimβs birthday party later that night. Itβs a bit awkward, until Sang-Eun opens up and explains whatβs happened and how she genuinely likes Ji-Ho. When Miss Kim learns that Sang-Eun and Hae-Jin are not actually married, she perks up and this group seem like a genuinely nice bunch and donβt judge her either, which is heartwarming.
Well, Madame Yoo continues to scheme, as per usual, and learns from Gwang-Nam that Sang-Eun is with Ji-Ho. When Sang-Eun learns about this, she immediately confronts Yoo and demands to know what sheβs planning. She doesnβt reveal anything, unfortunately, but Ji-Ho has done his research and finds Yooβs number. He rings her and decides they should talk about the past, especially her ties with Sang-Eun and what happened 13 years back. Whole theyβre about to meet, a car charges toward Yoo on the road, prompting Ji-Ho to rush forward and try to save her.
So this weekβs episode comes to a close, with plenty more scheming and drama between the central trio of characters. It would seem that Sang-Eun has made her choice now and that pretty much ends this tepid love triangle. The series hasnβt really ignited the charts and judging by the nationwide ratings, which have been on a slight downward trend for a while, itβs perhaps hardly surprising.
Itβs definitely a shame though because thereβs some good stuff here and the drama involving Sang-Eun and Ji-Ho actually works reasonably well. They have pretty good chemistry and Park Min-Young is such a great actress, she brings the role to life really well.
Weβve got 4 more episodes to go though and it seems like weβre getting some late bursts of drama to try and keep things interesting. Quite how this will translate into storytelling terms though, remains to be seen.