In the episode aired on the 2nd, Sung Tae-hoon, played by Park Sung-woong, successfully germinates cabbage seeds despite interference from Im Joo-hyung, portrayed by Lee Seo-hwan. However, the plot thickens as his two sons run away from home, adding an unexpected twist.
Previously, Sung Tae-hoon, a manager at the food conglomerate Mastory, was transferred to the rural branch in Yeonliri, where he became isolated due to conflicts with Im Joo-hyung. To make matters worse, his company demanded an unreasonable number of cabbage seedlings, putting him under immense pressure.
Im Joo-hyung publicly declared, "Do not help Sung Tae-hoon," warning the villagers against assisting him. As Sung Tae-hoon sought help from hardware store owner Wang Dong-sik, played by Park Seok-won, to fix a leak in his field, Im Joo-hyung's interference left him without aid. Even acquiring fertilizer required the village chief's approval, placing his cabbage farming in jeopardy.
Determined not to give up for his family's sake, Sung Tae-hoon tackled each challenge head-on, from repairing sprinklers to setting up a nursery. With Wang Dong-sik's secret assistance, he managed to plant cabbages without the chief's knowledge. Although initially disheartened by the lack of sprouts, he ingeniously used cow manure instead of fertilizer, much to Im Joo-hyung's surprise, exclaiming, "They sprouted!"
Meanwhile, Jo Mi-ryeo, played by Lee Soo-kyung, decided to stay in Yeonliri with her children to support her husband. She attempted to win over the women's association by visiting the cafe run by Nam Hye-seon, portrayed by Nam Kwon-ah. The rivalry between Sung Tae-hoon and Im Joo-hyung extended to their wives, providing comedic relief. However, Jo Mi-ryeo, usually strong-willed, showed vulnerability when she experienced shortness of breath under the women's scrutiny.
On another front, Sung Tae-hoon's eldest son, Sung Ji-cheon, played by Lee Jin-woo, struggled with personal issues, avoiding contact with his professor. Unaware of her son's troubles, Jo Mi-ryeo asked him to pick up his siblings, Sung Ji-sang and Sung Ji-goo. At school, he unexpectedly encountered Im Bo-mi, played by Choi Gyu-ri, who suggested he work as a kitchen assistant to clear his mind. Consequently, Sung Ji-cheon found himself working in the school cafeteria.
Towards the end of the episode, Sung Tae-hoon celebrated the successful sprouting of his cabbages, only to be shocked by the news from Sung Ji-cheon that his sons, Sung Ji-sang and Sung Ji-goo, had run away. The episode concluded with Sung Tae-hoon's stunned expression and his narration, "I thought I was sprouting cabbages, but I had unknowingly triggered a time bomb in my life."
Reporter: Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr