Episode 1 of *My Youth* opens with an intimate peek into the life of Sunwoo Hae, a florist with a past as a child actor. In a parallel narrative, we're introduced to Seong Je-yeon, the indefatigable manager of actress Mo Tae-rin, who is burning the midnight oil to secure promising roles for her client. It's also revealed that producers from Tae-rin's agency are keen on having Hae appear alongside her in a project, echoing a collaboration they shared as child actors. Recognizing the immense opportunity this presents for Tae-rin, Je-yeon takes it upon herself to track down Hae and persuade him to join.
Armed with only a hazy notion of Hae's current identity, Je-yeon finds herself at his flower shop the following day, catching him completely off guard. Hae attempts to play dumb, as their high school farewell had been marred by bitterness. Yet, when Je-yeon discloses her mission to recruit him for a show, he wastes no time in declining, prompting her to exit the shop—but not before walking away with a complimentary cactus.
The next day, while in a meeting with a director, Je-yeon catches a fleeting glimpse of someone she vaguely recognizes as the author of a book she holds in high regard. Upon searching through her belongings, she realizes the book is Hae's, penned during their high school days.
Meanwhile, Tae-rin has an emotional reunion with her high school crush, Seok-ju, during her radio debut. Overwhelmed, she bursts into tears, but he fails to recognize her, despite her vivid memories of him. In an unexpected twist, Hae arrives at the office to deliver flowers for Je-yeon just as Seok-ju appears, revealing that they all share a high school connection. Even after Je-yeon departs with the flowers, Hae contrives an excuse to follow her, merely to offer her advice on caring for the cactus.
Later, while engrossed in work, Je-yeon spots a producer she's eager for Tae-rin to collaborate with. During their conversation, she casually drops that she's acquainted with the author of a book the producer is keen on—Hae. The producer's interest is piqued, and Je-yeon readily agrees to facilitate a meeting.
To orchestrate this, she seeks out Hae at a flower farm, where he's toiling away, and brings up the book he authored in high school. She presents the encounter as a meeting with an admirer, and he consents. On the day of the rendezvous, Hae arrives bearing flowers for Je-yeon, the very same ones she had professed a fondness for back in high school, only to discover that the meeting is actually with the producer's high school-aged daughter.
Betrayed and wounded by the realization that Je-yeon herself didn't seem delighted at the prospect of reconnecting with him, he readies himself to depart. Yet, at that very moment, the producer and his daughter make their entrance. The daughter, eager for guidance on how to embark on a writing career, seeks Hae's counsel. Following their heartfelt conversation, the producer turns to Je-yeon and instructs her to arrange a meeting with Tae-rin. With that, Je-yeon and Hae exit side by side.
Later that same evening, despite the emotional turmoil, Hae still clings to the bracelet Je-yeon bestowed upon him during their high school days. Driven by an impulsive urge, he dashes to her workplace, concocting another pretext about plant care as a reason to see her once more. To him, it feels as though their paths are diverging for good; even the bracelet slips from his wrist as he envelops her in a hug, a silent farewell wrapped in an embrace. But just as he's on the verge of walking away, Je-yeon halts him in his tracks, asking him to accompany her for drinks. And with that tantalizing cliffhanger, the episode draws to a close.
