Episode 11 of "Our Unwritten Seoul" kicks off with Mi-ji facing a string of job rejections, each denial chipping away at her spirits. Ho-su, ever the supportive friend, endeavors to lift her mood by embarking on a small gesture—procuring matching rings for them both before venturing to Ro-sa's eatery. Little do they know, fate is about to take a sudden turn.
Ho-su, unexpectedly, finds himself plunged into a world of silence as he loses his hearing in both ears. Oblivious to his plight, Mi-ji rushes to his apartment, her concern evident. However, Ho-su, battling his own turmoil, slams the door shut, feigning exhaustion to mask his harrowing reality.
Navigating even the simplest tasks, like hailing a taxi to the hospital, becomes a Herculean endeavor for Ho-su amidst his hearing impairment. Upon reaching the ENT department, he is diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss—a devastating blow. The doctors prescribe steroids, offering a glimmer of hope but warning that the prognosis is uncertain. His audiograms paint a grim picture, indicating hearing loss across all frequencies, and the doctors caution him to steel himself for the possibility of irrevocable damage.
Elsewhere, officials from the Fair Trade Commission descend upon KFMC in search of Gyeong-min, initiating an investigation into the Sihan Construction scandal that also garners media attention. The CEO's fury knows no bounds, as he berates Director Choi with orders to manage the crisis. While Tae-i relishes the unfolding developments, Mi-rae finds herself at a crossroads, her resolve weakening. The mere thought of returning to work fills her with dread, and she confesses that staying on just to witness management's comeuppance isn't her cup of tea.
Ho-su, determined to seek justice for Mi-rae's sexual harassment case, seeks out Chung-gu. He implores Chung-gu, a no-nonsense lawyer with a track record of winning at all costs, to take up the mantle. Aware of Chung-gu's underlying fondness for him, despite their tumultuous history, Ho-su's persistence eventually pays off as Chung-gu agrees to champion this cause for him.
Ho-su, too, bids farewell to Ro-sa at this juncture, delicately hinting at his hearing impairment, sort of. He shelters her from the harsher realities, yet Ro-sa insists that keeping this from Mi-ji is impossible. Ho-su counters by saying that Mi-ji is just beginning to spread her wings, and he doesn't want to be the anchor that drags her down. However, even concealing this truth from her will prove to be a monumental task.
At dinner, Ho-su fails to notice the waitress altering the ingredients and struggles to hear Mi-ji's cheerful chatter. Ultimately, he succumbs to a classic K-drama cliché—he resolves to end things with Mi-ji. She senses his intent and confronts him, prompting Ho-su to confess that he may soon lose his hearing entirely. He acknowledges that he will change, and the adjustment might be too overwhelming for her. He doesn't want her to continue sacrificing for him, understanding all too well the burden of pity. Ironically, Mi-ji's pleading words mirror her own feelings when she was unable to run anymore, ultimately leading to heartbreak, just as before.
Back at home, Mi-rae is astounded by the breakup and strives to support her sister. However, it is Gyeong-gu who truly steps up as a best friend. Upon learning of the breakup, he teases her about the reasons behind it and attempts to lift her spirits.
Elsewhere, Wol-sun suffers from sodium deficiency and has lost her appetite. Ok-hui visits her in the hospital, only to have Wol-sun rave about how her husband is abusing their daughter. This revelation sheds light on why she was so sensitive to Ok-hui's roughness towards Mi-ji and the shame she felt in keeping this secret from her own daughter.
Wol-sun kept silent about her struggles, fearing that sharing them would lead Ok-hui down a similar difficult path. Only after gathering her composure did she apologize to her daughter, causing Ok-hui's tears to flow uncontrollably.
At her workplace, Mi-rae strolled out with an air of confidence, brushing aside her colleagues' malicious gossip. She entrusted Tae-i with a token for Su-yeon before departing. As she left, Director Choi attempted to coerce her, but his efforts proved futile. To his surprise, one of the female employees approached Mi-rae, apologizing for her silence and expressing gratitude. Mi-rae's bravery had empowered her to confront the company's injustice.
Meanwhile, Bun-hong was startled by a phone call revealing Ho-su's hearing impairment. Rushing to his apartment, she demanded the truth, her anger evident. She spoke frankly, reminding Ho-su how their bond was forged by his father's wish for them to support each other. Her love for Ho-su gave her strength, underscoring their familial ties. To her, he was her son.
In the hospital, Mi-rae confessed to Ok-hui her resignation and the real reason behind her switch with her twin. With her conscience clear, she visited the strawberry farm and spoke to Se-jin next. She admitted that his offer had been a dream come true but declined it, believing she wasn't ready. Mi-rae was uncertain and wanted to see things through to their conclusion, specifically by replacing him at the farm. For once, she was following her heart, even if it led her astray.
At Ro-sa's restaurant, Mi-ji found a letter from the family court, addressed by Ho-su, which stirred her emotions. Both Ro-sa and Mi-ji were aware of Ho-su's situation and eventually steered the conversation towards their breakup. Ro-sa encouraged Mi-ji to be by Ho-su's side and do what she did best, just as she had done in the past. Though unsure of their relationship's future, simply being there for him was sufficient. Coincidentally, Ho-su arrived at the same realization after a heartfelt conversation with Bun-hong about his father's encouraging words. They resonated with him, urging him to persevere, regardless of the outcome.
Ho-su rushes over to Mi-ji's place, enveloping her in his arms and pleading with an intensity that borders on desperation, begging her to remain by his side and offering heartfelt apologies. As the episode draws to a close, Su-yeon finally appears poised to venture out of her room, stepping into the world once more. Meanwhile, Ho-su and Mi-ji share a look filled with hope and understanding, suggesting that, despite the tumult, they are on the mend and their bond remains unbreakable.
