Episode 5 of "Love Scout" unfolds with Ji-yun, tipsily leaning towards Eun-ho, only to succumb to slumber before any romantic advancements could transpire. Upon awakening the next morning, her memories of the preceding night are fuzzy, dismissing the events as mere fragments of a dream. Later, she verifies with Mi-ae that Eun-ho had indeed been escorted home post-party, a tale corroborated by Eun-ho himself.
Later in the day, Ji-yun chances upon Byeol once more at the bookstore. Their recurrent encounters have nurtured Byeol's fondness for her company, particularly after discovering their shared affection for mint chocolate, a sweet coincidence that binds them.
Meanwhile, Ji-yun finds herself increasingly captivated by Eun-ho's mere presence, her heart swaying with each encounter. Elsewhere, Jeong-hun crosses paths with Su-hyeon at the publishing house, where he learns that her book's sales have been disappointing, leading to the halt of its publication. Undeterred by this setback, Jeong-hun requests her autograph and offers words of encouragement, demonstrating his steadfast support.
On the professional front, Ji-yun's company secures a new client in dire need of a luxury brand appraiser, a crucial role that proves challenging to fill due to its specific demands. However, their prime candidate is swiftly snatched by Career Way, orchestrated none other than by an individual whom Ji-yun had previously terminated for resume fraud. Now employed by Career Way, this person has been tasked with poaching talent from Ji-yun's company. Undismayed, Ji-yun reassuringly promises her client to source an even more exemplary candidate. Eun-ho steps forward to lend a helping hand to the team member responsible, scouring for luxury brand repairers who could potentially transition into appraisers, thus weaving a tale of resilience and determination.
Later that evening, Ji-yun stumbles upon a mobile sticker in her office, one unmistakably placed by Byeol on Eun-ho’s phone. This serendipitous discovery serves as a jolt to her memory, catapulting her back to the night of the team party, now vividly realizing it was no mere dream. Confronting Eun-ho, they come to a mutual understanding, deciding to bury the past and move forward.
The following day, Eun-ho and the team’s supervisor venture into a bustling marketplace to seek out a skilled artisan specializing in luxury brand repairs. They put her skills to the test, and she passes with flying colors, accurately discerning the leather types of several cleverly concealed brand samples.
Meanwhile, Byeol, on a school excursion, encourages her father to embark on a quest for companionship. With his Friday night unencumbered, Mi-ae orchestrates a gathering for the board of directors at Eun-ho’s abode. Initially refusing, Ji-yun has a change of heart and decides to attend, only to arrive at the scene of an abruptly canceled party. Mortified, she prepares to depart, but Eun-ho graciously invites her to share in his dinner. To her astonishment, Eun-ho wows her with his culinary prowess, creating a meal fit for a gourmet.
As Eun-ho takes a call from Byeol, Ji-yun succumbs to slumber on his cozy sofa. The next morning, they awaken abruptly—Eun-ho scrambling as Byeol’s arrival nears, and Ji-yun panicking over her impending tardiness for work. The episode concludes with an awkward encounter in the elevator, the two finding themselves face-to-face with Byeol, Su-hyeon, and her son, the air thick with unmet expectations and unspoken words.
