Episode 12 of *Beyond the Bar* opens with Seok-hoon rousing from slumber in bed. Yeon-a has arrived to have a talk about Hash and, in a surprising move, decides to yield, granting Seok-hoon the responsibility of caring for the dog, but with one string attached. Yeon-a insists that he must find someone to co-parent the dog with him.
Unsurprisingly, this prompts Seok-hoon to join a dating app named Heart Logic in a bid to find a suitable partner. Interestingly, Hyo-min also ends up signing up for the same app.
The legal case of this episode takes a backseat for the most part, yet it revolves around a pivotal theme that looms large over the entire episode—love.
What exactly is this week's case?
Min-chan is in a co-parenting arrangement with his wife, Hyeon-yeong. Essentially, they remain together for the sole purpose of raising their child but have no marital ties. Both are at liberty to date and pursue romantic relationships with others. This setup is purely transactional, and they even conceived their child through IVF, eliminating any physical intimacy between them.
However, complications arise as Min-chan begins to develop romantic feelings for Hyeon-yeong. She swiftly squashes any notion of transforming their relationship in this manner. Consequently, Min-chan proposes that they should get divorced.
Hyeon-yeong is adamantly opposed to this idea, as she is content with their current arrangement, finding it stable and meeting all her needs. Hyeon-yeong is determined to legally uphold the co-parenting agreement and even demands a staggering 1 billion won penalty.
Does the team decide to take on the case? Naturally, when this intriguing case lands on their desk, the team engages in a lively discussion about the concepts of marriage and love. They delve into the convenience factor in relationships and the murky boundaries that exist between the various forms of love. Opinions on this subject clearly vary, even around the conference table, and it promises to be fascinating to observe how the courts will perceive this matter.
Hyo-min, driven by a sense of purpose, chooses to handle this case personally, teaming up with Min-jeong. Interestingly, Jin-woo also chimes in, sharing his heartfelt sentiments about loving one person deeply and lavishing them with affection.
What unfolds between Jin-woo and Min-jeong? Jin-woo is undeniably making an effort to win over Min-jeong's heart. However, she encounters a significant obstacle in the form of their age gap. Despite her visits to the dermatologist in an attempt to slow down the aging process, she also discovers that Jin-woo's family might not be receptive to such a substantial age difference between them.
Upon hearing this from Jin-woo's sister, Min-jeong cancels their dinner plans and once again becomes distant with Jin-woo. Jin-woo, sensing that something is amiss, confronts Min-jeong about her behavior. To demonstrate his sincerity, he even goes as far as proposing marriage to her. She declines, of course, but does confess that she loves him. Nonetheless, she admits that she loves herself more. This candid admission is precisely what Jin-woo needed to hear, and he embraces her warmly.
However, Jin-woo hasn't abandoned the idea of marriage. He turns to Seok-hoon and Hyo-min for assistance in devising the perfect way to express his love to Min-jeong. In a humorous turn of events, he fervently jots down notes in the bar, utilizing Seok-hoon's analogy about how love evolves and changes shape over time.
What happens with the Hynic Core case? Ban Gi-seung consents to hand over all crucial evidence in the Hynic Core case and positions Mr. Ko as the primary culprit. Yet, Seung-cheol is attempting to shift all the blame onto Gil-seung. Given that Seung-cheol is one of Mr. Ko's protégés, it appears that he is merely feigning loyalty to Na-yeon's side.
The initial supporter of Gil-seung was the Seunghun Foundation, which is managed by Mr. Ko, further fueling these suspicions.
How does the inaugural court hearing unfold? The high-stakes divorce case commences in court, and by a twist of fate, guess who finds themselves on the opposing side? Indeed, it's Seong-chan from Lee & Seo Law Firm. He and Hyo-min engage in a heated exchange, debating over semantics and the very essence of love, culminating in a rather biting remark from Hyo-min: "Not all relationships founded on love culminate in marriage. You, of all people, should be well-acquainted with that truth." Ouch!
This initial hearing is primarily a dance of exploration, where each side seeks to gauge the other's stance and establish a foundational understanding. The true crux of the matter hinges on whether the contract in question has been unequivocally breached, as delineated within its clauses.
What other revelations emerge concerning the Hynic Core case?
Meanwhile, Na-yeon is left reeling when she discovers that Lee Seong-bin is on the verge of bartering his expertise for a staggering 20 billion won. This move would not only instantly alleviate all his financial burdens but also avert the company's plans to lay off its staff.
However, the catch lies in the fact that this time-bound agreement teeters on the edge of coercion, with a stringent deadline hanging over the deal like a sword of Damocles. Just as Seong-bin is about to ink the agreement, a flurry of individuals bursts into the office, desperately trying to dissuade him from this rash decision.
Na-yeon yearns for the opportunity to rectify matters and proceed with integrity, and eventually, Seong-bin relents. Saeok-hoon, on the other hand, demands that the company sells Hynic Core back to Bluestone for a whopping 120 billion won, vowing to secure his due. The catch, of course, is that they will leverage the CEO to oust his rainmaker, Seung-cheol.
Without Seong-bin, the technology is rendered virtually worthless, leaving him with little choice but to sever ties with the intermediary and collaborate directly with Seung-bin.
To facilitate Seung-cheol's exit, they will require Yul-seong's vote. He is one of Ko's pivotal figures and also serves as Seung-cheol's "failguard" – the last line of defense, given his stake in the company. Yul-seong informs Mr. Ko that he will align himself with Na-yeon, opting to turn his back on corruption and stand in solidarity with those who uphold the company's original ideals.
Here’s a polished and more vividly rendered version of your text in English, with enhanced imagery and emotional depth:
Seok-hoon and Hyo-min find themselves unexpectedly cast as the "perfect match" during a blind date, a scenario ripe with comedic tension. Seok-hoon, visibly uncomfortable, considers fleeing the scene outright, while Hyo-min, ever the jester, throws herself into the farce with playful abandon. "Let’s just roll with it," she grins, turning awkwardness into adventure. What begins as stilted small talk soon blossoms into genuine laughter, their shared defiance of societal judgment—over age gaps and workplace hierarchies—igniting a spark. By night’s end, they’re not just tolerating each other; they’re savoring the moment.
Meanwhile, Hyo-ju arrives at her mother’s doorstep, clutching a gift for Cherry the cat. Eun-hee, her eyes glistening, reveals she’s spent months learning sign language, desperate to reconnect with her daughter. "I’m sorry," she whispers, the words heavy with years of regret. Hyo-ju, softening, assures her, "I’m happy. Life’s good." The walls crumble, and they collapse into a tearful embrace, their bond mended not by grand gestures but by quiet, hard-won forgiveness.
At Yullim, power struggles erupt between Na-yeon and Seung-cheol, their clash echoing through the office. Seung-cheol, initially defiant, eventually concedes, humbled by the reminder of Yul-seong’s legacy—the company’s founding ideals. Meanwhile, Mr. Ko, weathered by cynicism, scoffs at the notion of fairness in a world he deems irredeemably corrupt. Yet fate intervenes: Na-yeon ascends, her vision for Yullim unwavering. "Corruption ends here," she declares, ready to rewrite the rules.
The divorce case concludes with the plaintiff’s victory, though Seok-hoon reassures Hyeon-yeong, "This changes nothing about your parenting." True to his word, the trio—Seok-hoon, Hyeon-yeong, and their child—unite for a post-trial dinner, their dynamic a testament to resilience. Divorce, they realize, isn’t an ending but a rebirth.
That evening, atop a rooftop bathed in twilight, Jin-woo gathers loved ones to witness his vow to Min-jeong. Mid-speech, he abandons his script, speaking from the heart: "I’ll walk this path with you, no matter how long or arduous. I’ll be your anchor." Min-jeong, moved, accepts, and the group erupts in cheers. Seok-hoon and Hyo-min, side by side, exchange a knowing glance—a silent pact to redefine love, one awkward, imperfect step at a time.
This version amplifies emotional stakes, sharpens dialogue, and paints scenes with cinematic detail while preserving the original narrative’s core. Let me know if you'd like further refinements!
