Episode 5 of "Love, Take Two" kicks off in 1995 with the dramatic entrance of Ji-an's mother, brandishing a sleek new suitcase. She proclaims her intentions to invest in herself, extending an invitation to Ji-an to accompany her to the Hot Springs.
Flashing forward to the present, Ji-an is visibly shaken as Moon-hee, still toting that very same suitcase, unexpectedly appears at their doorstep. Intriguingly, Hyo-ri also recognizes Jung Moon-hee. Ji-an, however, steadfastly refuses to acknowledge this woman as the one who deserted her years ago.
The villagers soon intervene, mistaking Moon-hee for the reclusive resident of the mansion in the forest and whisking her away. A bizarre twist unfolds when Ji-an receives a call from the police, answered by Hyo-ri, informing her of her mother's passing in Vietnam – a scenario that seems far more plausible.
In the meantime, Ji-an, Sun-young, and Hyo-ri bond over cooking, serendipitously stumbling upon the perfect name for their shop: "Nature is a Masterpiece." Their conversation takes a lively turn as they discuss Bo Hyeon, a subject Hyo-ri is well-versed in. The trio ventures outside to weed the area designated for their shop, with Ji-an playfully teasing Hyo-ri as her daughter departs.
Not long after, Jeong-seok arrives, clutching what Sun-young initially mistakes for a love letter. In reality, it's an invoice for Architectural Services, albeit one with discrepancies in the figures. To everyone's astonishment, Moon-hee bursts back into the scene, striking Ji-an for her lack of thoroughness and banning her to cool off outdoors.
Inside, the situation took a dramatic turn for the worse when Moon-hee meddled with the stove, inadvertently causing a fireball to engulf the curtains. This was the final straw for Ji-an, who sternly instructed Moon-hee to cease contacting her daughter. With a hint of her own troubled past, Ji-an explained how painful these interactions were for her, leaving Moon-hee visibly shaken.
Later, after Jeong-seok tucked her in, Ji-an unexpectedly received a call from someone named Professor Kim. With a burn marring her arm, she decided to visit him the following day. Flashbacks revealed that Moon-hee's behavior was eerily reminiscent of Ji-an's past antics, where she too had caused scenes, with Jeong-seok always there to lend a helping hand.
The next morning, Jeong-seok brought in a professional to inspect the gas line. They discovered a loose valve and recommended replacing the equipment. Ironically, it was fortunate that Moon-hee had tampered with the knobs and turned them on before they arrived, as the consequences could have been catastrophic.
Meanwhile, Bo Hyeon and Hyo-ri embarked on a camping trip together. Under the starlit sky, they opened up about their parents. Bo Hyeon confessed that he had always missed his mother, who was frequently away in Germany. As a child, he had even joked to himself that she might be an alien due to her infrequent visits. Witnessing the bond between Hyo-ri and Ji-an had altered his perspective on mother-child relationships, especially as Ji-an was always present for Hyo-ri. Hyo-ri, in turn, admitted that Ji-an was like a second mother to her. She shared her story of losing her first mother, a single parent who had passed away in a car accident, leading her to Ji-an's care.
However, upon returning to their tent, they found Tae-oh missing. Earlier in the episode, he had been aloof when asked about his mother, but soon their curiosity would be satisfied as the true story behind his reaction unfolded.
Tae-oh's promising athletic career crumbled, leading him into the depths of alcoholism. This deterioration served as the final breaking point for his mother, who witnessed her son's life unravel before her eyes. Heartbroken and disgusted, she cut him off completely, refusing to acknowledge or reconnect with him ever again.
These events further emphasize the uniqueness and rarity of the bond Hyo-ri shares with Ji-an. When Hyo-ri finally catches up with Ji-an again, enveloping her in a warm embrace and capturing a heartfelt moment with her mother through a lens, fate takes a grim turn. Suddenly, Hyo-ri collapses to the ground, slipping into unconsciousness, her world momentarily darkened.
