Yum Jung-ah Shines in Dual Roles Amidst Overlapping Drama Broadcasts

Yum Jung-ah, currently receiving praise for her villainous role in ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Eye Shopping,' has returned to the small screen as a single mom in tvN's 'Love, Take Two.' Despite concerns over her simultaneous appearances in two dramas, 'Love, Take Two,' which premiered on the 5th, topped its time slot in viewership ratings.

In the second episode of 'Love, Take Two,' Ji-an Lee (played by Yum Jung-ah) returns to 'Cheonghae,' where Hyori Lee (played by Choi Yoon-ji) resides, and fatefully reunites with her first love from middle school, Jung-seok Ryu (played by Park Hae-joon). Inspector Hwang (played by Jung Man-sik), who had borrowed money from Ji-an and disappeared, seeks forgiveness and promises a 'miracle' for Ji-an and her daughter. That night, Ji-an encounters a beacon of hope amidst her dark misfortunes. The episode achieved a 3.8% average and 4.5% peak viewership in the metropolitan area, and a 3.5% average and 4.3% peak nationwide, ranking first in its time slot across cable and general programming channels, according to Nielsen Korea's paid platform data.

Ji-an must become stronger for Hyori. Facing dismissal due to a construction accident, she confronts the arrogant company president (played by Yang Hyun-min) and boldly quits, declaring, "I won't waste my time on people like you anymore." In a call with Sun-young Kim (played by Kim Sun-young), Ji-an vows to no longer endure and to live to protect her daughter.

Unexpectedly, Ji-an's first encounter in Cheonghae is with her first love, Jung-seok. Their reunion, reminiscent of their youthful first meeting, is filled with excitement and nostalgia. Although Jung-seok initially appears indifferent, he is amused and intrigued to learn that Hyori, the daughter Ji-an came to find, is staying in a camper in his front yard.

However, Hyori distances herself from Ji-an, expressing a need to sort out her life independently. When Ji-an asks, "What about me? Am I not part of your reason to live?" Hyori coldly responds, "I'm sorry, but I can't handle thinking about you right now. I'm overwhelmed with my own thoughts. So, you take care of yourself." The growing distance between mother and daughter in the rain evokes a sense of sadness.

Worried about Hyori walking in the rain, Bo-hyun Ryu (played by Kim Min-kyu) follows her, only to see her fall into the sea. He rushes to her aid, diving into the water. Ji-an, seeing her daughter return soaked, scolds her for the dangerous situation. Hyori defiantly replies, "Should I stop going to the sea because I might fall again? No, I won't." Her words reflect a determination to face life's challenges head-on.

Ji-an and Hyori are invited to dine with Jung-seok. Although the atmosphere seems to calm, Hyori becomes uncomfortable and leaves when Ji-an reveals she is a single mother. Hyori has never understood her mother's choices, but Ji-an had her reasons. Becoming a mother at a young age, Ji-an chose not to be hurt by others' judgments, unaware of the impact on her daughter.

As tensions between mother and daughter deepen, unexpected news arrives from Sun-young Kim. Inspector Hwang, who disappeared without repaying 30 million won, is in Cheonghae for his mother's 80th birthday. Hyori and Ji-an visit Hwang's home, but the sight of his humble house, young siblings, and elderly mother leaves them speechless. Instead, Ji-an tells Hwang, "A miracle is when people like us, with no connections or wealth, help each other, even if we're called 'suckers.' That's a miracle. Please return the 'miracle' I lent you someday."

That night, Ji-an, feeling hopeless, opens the real estate document given by Hwang. Memories of Hyori's words flood her mind. Accompanied by Jung-seok, she visits the address, finding a dilapidated house. While Jung-seok is startled by the 'haunted house,' Ji-an's eyes sparkle as she exclaims, "Hyori's house!" Her heart swells with emotion as she envisions Hyori's dream home, complete with high ceilings, stairs, and a garden, and sees her daughter smiling brightly there.