Episode 15 of "Bad-Memory Eraser" kicks off with a dramatic turn as Gun's lost demons resurface, dragging him back into the depths of self-loathing. He retreats to the shadows of his musty old room, drowning his sorrows in an endless cycle of alcohol-fueled solitude.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lee's conscience is plagued by the haunting dashcam footage of Shin's leap, a weighty guilt settling in his chest for failing to shield his sons from harm. Ju-yeon, with empathy in her eyes, gently reminds him that Gun's wounds festered from abandonment, and the balm lies in creating a tapestry of fond memories through unwavering presence.
Back at the chaotic household, Shin's reprimands clash with Mrs. Lee's intercession, leaving Gun to internalize the blame for their fractured harmony. Enter Mr. Lee, resolute and determined, proclaiming their family's rebirth into happiness. His plan? A cheesy yet heartfelt family photo shoot, donning hoodies that celebrate Gun's spirit. They venture out for a picnic, but the day's fickle weather—cold winds and relentless rain—seem to conspire against their unity.
Mrs. Lee valiantly shields Gun from the elements, yet the excursion descends into chaos as the heavens open up and their vehicle succumbs to misfortune. Defeated, they retreat to the comfort of home, only to find Guk-bong and Shi-on's misfired attempt at a surprise party, met with indifferent faces all around.
In a quiet corner, Gun discovers a transformed sanctuary—his room, meticulously cleaned and adorned with a touch of Ju-yeon's warmth. Her silent apology, etched on a note, whispers of hope for his healing. But Gun's turmoil overflows, as he vents his frustration in a storm of shouts and shattered objects.
Ju-yeon's crusade doesn't end there. She extends her healing hand to his professional life, tidying up the loose ends of his office. While at the Kyungs', Seung-hyun's heart yearns for Sae-yan, his ears inadvertently picking up Mrs. Kyung and Mrs. Jeon's anxious whispers. Mrs. Jeon, driven by concern, seeks to warn Ju-yeon, yet Mrs. Kyung's steadfast silence guards the truth, a testament to the complexities that bind their families together.
At the hospital's hushed corridors, Ju-yeon's resolve crystallized not merely in resignation but in confronting disciplinary consequences head-on. Amidst this turmoil, Cha Shi-on's mother loomed, intent on terminating Ju-yeon's contract. Yet, as Mrs. Lee unexpectedly intervened, she spun a tale of relentless labor, a tale that masked a painful truth: she had never truly been a mother to her sons. To Mrs. Cha, she pleaded, urging her not to replicate that misstep.
The atmosphere shifted abruptly as Hong was summoned to sever ties with Shin, only for the encounter to escalate into a confrontation. Mr. Lee's discovery that the CEO had publicly divulged the dashcam footage ignited a firestorm. Hong, in the midst of it all, cast aspersions on Gun's demeanor, but Mrs. Lee's timely arrival halted the onslaught, striking Hong for bullying her cherished sons. She lambasted him for disloyalty, while he retorted that agencies are indifferent to players' well-being. Shi-on and her mother, inadvertent eavesdroppers, vowed not to align with Hong, and Mrs. Cha granted Gun a reprieve until Shi-on's recovery, allowing him time to sort out his agency affairs.
That evening, beneath the warm glow of lamplight, Mrs. Lee shared a heartfelt drink with her sons, lamenting the lost moments they could have cherished together. She confessed her shortcomings, apologizing for turning Shin into a surrogate and exploiting her boys to fulfill her own dreams. With a heavy heart, she begged Gun not to suffer further, knowing the weight of her failings.
Gun, however, revealed a love that transcended it all, unwavering even amidst the storms. Tears flowed freely as they embraced, and Mr. Lee, having overheard their poignant exchange, burst in, confessing his own shortcomings as a father. Together, they decided to spend the night in Gun's room, a makeshift sanctuary where memories of happier times resurfaced, punctuated by Gun's gentle humor.
Meanwhile, Tae-oh's ascension to the helm of the brain research center met with resistance from a disgruntled staff, pining for Ju-yeon's empathetic leadership. On her part, Seung-hyun delivered a revelation about Sae-yan, prompting Ju-yeon to confront her mother, who sternly advised her to leave Sae-yan be.
Meanwhile, Sae-yan's frantic search for her mobile phone leads her to a peculiar discovery: a spurious landline in the garage. The absurdity deepens as Hyo-myeong's fabricated tale about her rescue unravels. Before she can reach out for help, he slyly drugs her and confines her in the musty basement, his voice dripping with malice as he claims the murder moodboard, adorned with Shin and Ju-yeon's faces, as a twisted gift. He reveals that he's been her unseen shadow, watching her every move.
A vivid flashback takes us to Sae-yan's arrival in South Korea, footsteps echoing as she approaches her former abode. Coincidentally, it's the very day Hyo-myeong's dark presence looms. He lurks in the shadows, observing her uncover a young girl's attire, Gun's cherished medal, and a reunion invitation—all remnants of her past. On the verge of striking, her innocent call to the alumni association, seeking her biological father, softens his heart. He offers her his umbrella, a fleeting moment of kindness amidst the looming threat. Yet, her dropped invitation falls into his hands, sealing her fate.
At the reunion, Hyo-myeong's cold eyes witness the chaos in the parking lot as Sae-yan severs ties with Shin. Time jumps forward, and now, he justifies his twisted justice, claiming to have punished Shin for tormenting her. Sae-yan's eyes widen with horror upon spying Ju-yeon's photograph, her voice pleading for mercy. He scoffs at her naivety, weaving a web of deceit, claiming the Kyungs seek revenge for Ju-yeon's father's demise.
Elsewhere, Gun nurses his fake wrist injury, his mind a tumult of emotions. Nurse Song's gentle touch as she binds the wound serves as a backdrop for her confession. She confides that Ju-yeon was the first test subject, fueling her unwavering protection. Haunted by her father's brutal murder, her memories of that fateful day vanished, leaving her scarred. Gun struggles to forgive her duplicity, yet her words resonate deeply.
As night falls, Gun stumbles upon a starry lamp, a gift from Ju-yeon, igniting memories of their innocent joys. Outside, Shin's report to Ju-yeon brings relief—Gun is healing. He expresses gratitude, finally feeling the warmth of a true family. Their hearts heavy with unspoken words, they long to share Gun's first love with him, and Ju-yeon discloses Sae-yan's whereabouts, safe with her father.
In that fleeting instant, Hyo-myeong's steps mirrored Ju-yeon's as she embarked on her journey home. A careless slip caused his keys to tumble to the ground, and as Ju-yeon gracefully extended a helping hand to return them, her mother unexpectedly emerged from the shadows. Without hesitation, Hyo-myeong snatched the keys from her grasp and hastily retreated.
Within the sterile confines of the hospital, Ju-yeon received an unexpected delivery—a cherished stuffed toy that had been her solace when Hyo-myeong's actions forever altered her world by taking her father's life. Meanwhile, Sae-yan's futile attempts to escape her confinement were met with resistance, her mind swirling with her father's haunting words and the unsettling possibility that he might be the one responsible for Ju-yeon's father's demise.
As the curtains drew to a close on the penultimate episode of Bad-Memory Eraser, Shin's gesture was laden with significance as he returned Gun's medal, accompanied by a poignant question: did he yearn to uncover the truth about his very first love? A figure familiar to Gun's heart danced on the fringes of his thoughts, Sae-yan's name whispered on the lips of conjecture. Yet, when Gun's mind delved into the depths of that drowning memory, it was not Sae-yan's visage that emerged, but rather, the innocent face of a young Ju-yeon, forever etched in his psyche.
