The tenth episode of "DNA Lover" commences with an intriguing turn as Yeon-u escorts So-jin back to her abode, the afterglow of their shared day still lingering. Her heartfelt confession, however, leaves him tongue-tied and bewildered, unable to reciprocate her love in kind. The atmosphere swiftly becomes charged with an uncomfortable tension.
Returning to his own home, Yeon-u is confronted with a disheartening sight: his mother drowning her sorrows in alcohol. This sight stirs memories of a past night when, upon arriving from school, she imparted a stern warning—never to reveal his affection to any woman. Jang-mi's words, echoing in his ears, painted love as a hopeless, bitter endeavor.
Meanwhile, at a different crossroads, Sung-mi confronts Gang-hun with a stern reprimand, stemming from a workplace mishap. Gang-hun's demeanor betrays a deep-seated melancholy, his unrequited passion for So-jin weighing heavily on his heart. His father, misinformed, attempts to offer counsel, assuming Gang-hun's turmoil stems from his perceived involvement with Mi-eun.
Yet, Gang-hun's emotional turmoil is not an isolated case. So-jin herself is unraveling, struggling to comprehend Yeon-u's reserved response to her confession. Her heartache is palpable as she grapples with his silence.
In a parallel narrative, Mi-eun too, navigates her convoluted emotions towards Yeon-u. Despite her preoccupation with her show alongside So-rin, the slenderest of hopes persists in her heart, nurturing the faint possibility of a future with Yeon-u. Under the guise of seeking professional advice, she visits So-jin at work, inadvertently eavesdropping on her friend's discussion about scientific tests confirming Yeon-u as her genetic match, adding yet another layer of complexity to their intertwined lives.
At the gym, Jung-tam battles through a challenging workout session under Sung-mi's unwavering tutelage. As time dwindles, Sung-mi recognizes her own overzealousness, fearing she may be pushing Jung-tam too hard out of personal ambition. Her compassionate suggestion for a more relaxed approach is met with a lighthearted jest from Jung-tam, but ultimately, Sung-mi proceeds with the photoshoot using another model, inciting Jung-tam's ire.
As for Yeon-u, he stubbornly refused to heed Jung-tam's counsel, instead choosing to confess his sentiments to So-jin, a move that inadvertently stirred up turmoil within their bond. The hospital corridors echoed with whispers and even the nurses indulged in a friendly wager, speculating on the imminent demise of Yeon-u and So-jin's relationship. It seemed that the harder So-jin reached out, the more Yeon-u retreated, drawing a distinct line between them. A visit from his father, intended to soothe his troubled mind, fell flat as Yeon-u harbored deep-seated doubts about his parents' love story, dismissing his dad's words with a shrug.
Meanwhile, A-ri emerged from her conversation with Father Andrea rejuvenated, resolved to embrace happiness. She sported a fresh haircut and revisited the church, where she poured out her heartfelt thanks and aspirations for a more fulfilling life. Father Andrea beamed with pride at her transformation. However, his revelation that he solely confided in God left A-ri both surprised and determined to become his new confidante. She embarked on reading a romantic tale about a woman and a priest, convinced that Father Andrea held the key to her heart's desires. To So-jin, who listened with a mixture of joy for A-ri's happiness and concern for her own relationship with Yeon-u, A-ri's revelation came as a shock.
Lately, So-jin found herself at a loss for words with Yeon-u, a chasm growing between them that she struggled to bridge. Amidst this, she failed to notice the eerie silence emanating from Gang-hun as well. Desperate to reignite their connection, So-jin proposed a simple yet profound idea: they would share snippets of their daily lives with each other. Yeon-u concurred, and gradually, their bond began to mend.
One fateful morning, as they jogged through the streets, they stumbled upon Gang-hun, all three adorned in strikingly similar jumpers. An amusing coincidence unraveled—years ago, So-jin had purchased a matching set, keeping the larger size for Gang-hun, a gesture that now seemed more poignant than ever.
Yeon-u warmly extends an invitation to dinner at his abode, where the evening takes an unexpected turn as So-jin stumbles upon the photograph and heartfelt message that Mi-eun had clandestinely left within the abalone box. She endeavors to maintain a poised facade, her secret well-guarded, with Gang-hun's subtle support as her shield.
As the group gathers around the dinner table, the television flickers to life, showcasing So-rin and Mi-eun's program. Their topic of discussion piques interest—navigating the appropriate response to a confession of love. So-jin, unguarded, voices her bewilderment, failing to comprehend the complexities that shroud such a simple act. Yeon-u, with a depth of understanding, posits that feelings often speak louder than words, rendering verbal declarations unnecessary. Gang-hun, on the other hand, gently chastises So-jin for her impulsive nature, always quick to bare her heart.
As So-jin excuses herself to the bathroom, Gang-hun seizes the opportunity to slip Yeon-u the enigmatic photograph, entrusting him with its weighty implications. Yeon-u nods solemnly, vowing to address the matter with delicacy.
Later, a somber So-jin makes her way home, her thoughts heavy with emotions. Gang-hun, left to ponder, toys with the idea of discarding the symbolic jumper but ultimately relents, its memory too potent to let go.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit bar, Yeon-u confronts Mi-eun over a drink, the photograph serving as a catalyst for their tense conversation. Mi-eun, her words nuanced with hidden meanings, attempts a delicate confession of her own, only to have Yeon-u pivot the discussion, inquiring about Gang-hun instead. The air crackles with unspoken desires and the echoes of secrets yet to be fully revealed.
Mi-eun articulates her disinterest in Gang-hun with clarity, prompting him to inquire about her perspective on the blossoming bond between Gang-hun and So-jin. She describes their relationship as effortless, a harmonious union that arises effortlessly from their innate compatibility. Seeking to reassure Yeon-u, she divulges her knowledge that So-jin perceives him as her soulmate, DNA and all.
Unexpectedly, the next day, Yeon-u impulsively invites So-jin on a beach excursion via text, igniting her excitement as she eagerly shares her vision for their adventure. However, her joy is abruptly tempered by Mi-eun's unsolicited visit. This time, Mi-eun offers a half-hearted apology for the photograph incident, boasting about her long-standing romantic history with Yeon-u and even flaunting a photograph of them together. She then cunningly undermines So-jin's position, emphasizing that despite her efforts, So-jin cannot alter Yeon-u's fundamental nature. She further stings by noting that Yeon-u has never fully disclosed his family to So-jin nor has he uttered the words of love. These revelations leave So-jin deeply troubled.
As the weekend approaches, So-jin packs her belongings, eagerly anticipating an overnight stay with Yeon-u by the seaside. However, he clarifies, much to her dismay, that their stay would not involve spending the night together. Despite this misunderstanding, they manage to enjoy a pleasant day at the beach, yet Yeon-u steadfastly refuses to participate in any couple photoshoots. His indifferent response to her relationship with Gang-hun wounds her further. In a moment of whimsy, So-jin suggests sending each other slow postcards that would arrive a year later, imagining the words they might want to share after such a period.
But when Yeon-u receives a call, So-jin seizes the opportunity to sneak a peek at his postcard. Her heart sinks as she reads his wish: that if they should ever part ways, she would find solace in the arms of a man who could shield her. This revelation dawns on So-jin that Yeon-u's feelings for her may not run as deep as she had hoped, and the fragile thread of their relationship hangs perilously close to snapping.
As their debate intensifies, Yeon-u's phone rings yet again, urgently summoning him to the hospital's halls. They hastily retrace their steps to the bustling city, where Yeon-u's vision begins to falter, clouding his sight with uncertainty. Recognizing his distress, So-jin interlaces her fingers with his, offering a calming touch amidst her growing concern that his RP gene is awakening within him.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, Mi-eun unexpectedly graces Gang-hun's father's restaurant with her presence. Gang-hun attempts to ignore her, but his resolve falters under her insistent gaze. He confesses his belief that So-jin finds happiness with Yeon-u, yet Mi-eun stands firm, declaring that Yeon-u's nature is immutable, and their union is not fated. In a moment of recklessness, she indulges in alcohol, her words spilling forth uncontrollably—revealing that So-jin's choice of jersey was misguided. It transpires that Mi-eun has delved into the depths of Gang-hun's DNA, conducting secret tests. Shockingly, Yeon-u was privy to this knowledge yet chose to keep it from So-jin, unknowingly entangling them all in a web of misunderstanding. Thus, the truth dawns: Gang-hun is the one whose DNA intertwines with So-jin's in a bond beyond mere choice.
Gang-hun is left reeling from this revelation, his world suddenly tilted on its axis. Coincidentally, So-jin arrives at the restaurant, her ears inadvertently catching every syllable of Mi-eun's confession. The air thickens with the weight of unspoken emotions and the realization that their lives are intertwined in ways more complex than they ever imagined.
