Episode 8 of "No Gain, No Love" unfolds poignantly, as Ja-yeon and Ha-jun revisit their alma mater, the echoes of their past lingering, following Hae-yeong's heartwarming housewarming celebration. The conversation inevitably drifts to the reason behind Ja-yeon's school transfer, igniting vivid flashbacks. The scene depicts Ja-yeon's father, fueled by rage, storming into Hae-yeong's abode in search of his young daughter. Confronted by Hae-yeong's parents, who forcibly evict him, they offer Ja-yeon a temporary respite—a change of schools and foster homes, a sanctuary from her father's relentless pursuit.
As the narrative shifts, we witness a poignant yet contrived moment atop the rooftop, where Hae-yeong plants a kiss on Ji-uk's lips. However, the intimacy is shattered when it's revealed that her act was merely a stratagem, a desperate attempt to deceive Woo-jae, who had been spying on Ji-uk's ascent. Ji-uk, enraged by the unauthorized simulacrum, retaliates with a passionate kiss of his own, a fiery response to her deception.
Woo-jae, having witnessed the spectacle, retreats to his solitude, weaving a web of lies to Yi-lin about his evening stroll. Yet, Yi-lin's intuition, sharpened by the unspoken familiarity between Hae-yeong and Woo-jae, begins to unravel the truth.
The dawn brings with it tensions at the breakfast table, as Hae-yeong and Ji-uk's anger boils over into a heated argument. Meanwhile, Gyu-hyun, driven by genuine concern, endeavors to ascertain Ja-yeon's well-being through Ha-jun. To his surprise, Ja-yeon agrees to a meeting, their destination—a poignant rendezvous near the police station.
In this unlikely encounter, Ja-yeon, now aware of Gyu-hyun's position as Hae-yeong's superior, withdraws her lawsuit, a gesture of understanding perhaps. But Gyu-hyun remains steadfast in his apology, his sincerity evident. Suddenly, a jarring intrusion—Ja-yeon's biological father appears, sending them scurrying into an alleyway. There, Ja-yeon's emotions overflow, and she succumbs to tears, a heartrending display of vulnerability.
Gyu-hyun serenades the air with a melody that holds a special place in her heart, offering solace amidst their parting. As their paths diverge, they cling to the bittersweet belief that this might be their final encounter.
Hae-yeong ascends to Ji-uk's chamber, only to discern that the frail mattress beneath his slumber lacks the comfort it ought to provide. Meanwhile, Ji-uk finds himself in the company of Eun-ok, Hae-yeong's mother, where he indulges her with a thoughtful gift and a heartfelt monologue, lamenting over his unrequited affections for Hae-yeong, oblivious to her very existence.
In a fleeting moment of clarity, Eun-ok's mind drifts back to Hae-yeong, painting a tender portrait of memory. Returning home, Ji-uk attempts to captivate Hae-yeong's attention by offering to conquer mundane tasks like jar-opening and bulb-replacing, but Hae-yeong's self-reliance renders his efforts futile.
Elsewhere, Bok Gi-ho vents his frustration to Manager Jang, lamenting the lack of ambition he perceives in Ji-uk, advocating instead that Jang redirect his focus towards Son Hae-yeong. As Jang prepares to depart, Jeong-a seizes the opportunity to seek his aid.
Hae-yeong and Ji-uk embark on a tense drive to work, their animosity palpable in the air. Their conversation veers towards Hae-yeong's marketing dilemma, with Ji-uk casually mentioning his utilization of the orphanage's employee discount, sparking a lightbulb moment for Hae-yeong.
During Hae-yeong's presentation, Gyu-hyun's thoughts wander incessantly towards Ja-yeon, momentarily distracting him. He then critiques Hae-yeong's marketing strategy as lackluster, prompting her to conceive an event at the orphanage. Gyu-hyun, impressed, sanctions the plan but cautions Hae-yeong to shroud it in secrecy from Ji-uk and Ja-yeon, weaving a tapestry of intrigue around their endeavors.
Meanwhile, Ji-uk sought counsel from his colleague regarding a marital spat, and the wise coworker advised him to pledge an unwavering commitment to never repeat the misstep. Over at the recording studio, Tae-hyeong lent his expertise to Hui-seong as she crafted her audition tape. As he gently suggested they embark on an outing together, Hui-seong perused her calendar, a fleeting realization crossing her features.
As the day drew to a close, Hae-yeong climbed into Ji-uk's car, only to discover a heartfelt apology letter, vowing to abstain from kissing her ever again. With a disdainful scrunch, she dismissed the missive. Instead, she led him on a mattress-hunting excursion, persuading him to indulge in a plush bed, regardless of its cost. "You deserve the sweetest rest," she whispered, her words warming his heart. Sensing her affection, Ji-uk confessed his own feelings, but Hae-yeong remained coy, playingfully flirting with him over dinner.
Upon arriving home, Hae-yeong posed a question, asking Ji-uk to hold his ground until she navigated her upcoming projects and evaluations. She had meant to say these words the day their lips met, yet the moment slipped away. Ji-uk, without hesitation, pledged his patience.
The morning dawned with Woo-jae beaming as he prepared for work, excited about his upcoming visit to the orphanage with Hae-yeong. Yi-lin, observant as ever, proposed a departmental transfer, but Woo-jae stood firm, declaring that she couldn't dictate his career whimsically.
Their presentation to the orphanage director flourished until she inadvertently stumbled upon Ji-uk, painting him as a bachelor and wistfully hoping for a union with Yu-na, the fellow volunteer. Hae-yeong swiftly intervened, preventing Woo-jae from revealing their marriage, thereby igniting a confrontation. Woo-jae, convinced that Hae-yeong's ruse was a twisted revenge, boldly suggested reigniting their spark. Hae-yeong, unamused, seized an umbrella and chased him down, intent on administering a well-deserved scolding.
At her workplace, Ja-yeon discovers to her surprise that Gyu-hyun has been penning fresh comments on her writings, but this time around, they're heartwarming and uplifting. In one of those heartfelt messages, he expresses a longing to meet the elusive author once more. Perturbed, she dials Ha-jun's number, only to have him unravel a shocking revelation: it was he who had penned those harsh criticisms, driven by Gyu-hyun's promise to facilitate his transfer to his dream department.
Outdoors, as fate would have it, Ji-uk crosses paths with Manager Jang once more. This encounter, however, carries a warning: Jeong-a is aware of Ji-uk's existence, making it imperative for Ji-uk to ensure Hae-yeong's safety. Urgency etched on his face, Ji-uk rushes back inside and whispers to Hae-yeong the need for an evening talk. Meanwhile, they tend to Ji-uk's makeshift room, furnishing it with a cozy bed and essentials, fostering an intimacy that couldn't be ignored.
Amidst the setup, Ji-uk teases Hae-yeong about her assertion that love can't blossom without physical compatibility, while Hae-yeong humorously recalls Ji-uk's own words, where heart and body were intertwined. Despite the playful banter, Ji-uk inches closer, ready to bridge the gap, but their fleeting moment is abruptly shattered by Gyu-hyun's angry intrusion. He hurls accusations at Ji-uk, branding him as Gi-ho's illegitimate offspring, the air thick with tension.
In a postscript to No Gain No Love's Episode 8, Ji-uk embarks on a comedic endeavor, following the advice of anonymous internet sages to placate an angry partner. Silently navigating the kitchen, he surreptitiously tightens jar lids, switches TV remote buttons, and loosens the lightbulb, planning to repair everything in the morning as a show of apology. But as we've come to learn, the aftermath of such antics rarely pans out as smoothly as anticipated!
