Episode 5 of "Our Unwritten Seoul" kicks off with a poignant flashback, depicting a youthful Ho-su involved in a harrowing car accident alongside his father. Years elapse, and a somber doctor informs them that Ho-su's recovery will never be complete; he must learn to live with his lingering condition. Cut to a school hiking trip where Ho-su, determined despite his challenges, chooses to ascend the mountain at a leisurely pace. It's during this serene journey that he serendipitously crosses paths with Mi-ji halfway up.
The narrative then hurtles into the present, with Ho-su confiding in Mi-ji that she was his first love, his heart irrevocably captured by her during that fateful hike. Mi-ji, visibly intrigued, finds herself at a crossroads as Ho-su abruptly departs for work, leaving her perplexed. Her confusion stems from a haunting vision of Ho-su embracing Mi-rae on the day she sustained an injury.
At the office, Mi-ji is tasked with compiling a report on her ongoing project. Post-work, she visits Ro-sa, who reveals the need for gallstone surgery, prompting Hae-su to reschedule a crucial meeting with Mi-rae's director.
Back in the comfort of her home, Mi-ji wrestles with the report's composition, seeking solace and encouragement from her grandmother. Her loving grandmother reminds her of their shared promise, igniting a spark of determination within Mi-ji.
The following day, at the office, Mi-ji discovers a stack of invaluable reference materials neatly arranged on her desk – a thoughtful gesture from her colleague, Kim Tae-i. Quickly realizing his prowess as a highly sought-after data analyst, she persuades him to lend his expertise, appealing to his empathy by sharing her personal predicaments.
Elsewhere, Ho-su finds himself ensnared in a web of mixed emotions regarding Mi-ji, whom he mistakenly identifies as Mi-rae. Seeking clarity, he heeds the advice of an old colleague and journeys to his hometown. There, he hopes to confront Mi-ji (mistaken identity as Mi-rae) and decipher his true feelings. After work, he meets Mi-rae, pouring his heart out about the profound gratitude he felt sharing the mountain's summit with "Mi-ji." However, contrary to his expectations, Mi-rae remains unmoved, leaving Ho-su even more bewildered upon his return to Seoul.
In the meantime, Mi-rae confides in Mi-ji about her chance encounter with Ho-su, prompting Mi-ji to grasp the startling revelation that her high school perception of Mi-rae and Ho-su as a couple had been a misconception. The truth dawned on Mi-ji: the day she had sustained her injury, assuming the worst, Mi-rae had actually been ailing and collapsed. Ho-su had swiftly rushed her to the hospital, and out of fear of distracting attention from the looming CSATs, Mi-rae had compelled him to keep the incident a secret. Upon uncovering this reality, Mi-ji was plunged into disillusionment, contemplating the three years she had squandered in solitary confinement, sacrificing her career and life over what now seemed a colossal misunderstanding.
Simultaneously, whispers began to circulate about Mi-rae (posing as Mi-ji) sharing a romantic entanglement with Se-jin, fueled by locals who had witnessed a scene resembling a lover's spat involving the trio, along with Mi-ji's former beau. Mi-rae's mother, mistaking her disguise, grilled her (thinking her to be Mi-ji) about her supposed relationship with Se-jin. Denying the rumors emphatically, Mi-rae was haunted by past traumas. The following day, she sought out Se-jin to inform him that their professional collaboration would cease.
Elsewhere, Mi-rae's company director prematurely claimed credit for arranging a pivotal meeting with Ro-sa, anticipating it to enhance his reputation. However, the next morning, he was disheartened to learn from Ho-su that Ro-sa had flatly rejected the proposal. Ho-su further advised that for any future developments, the director should engage him directly rather than utilizing Mi-ji as an intermediary.
Mi-ji, having toiled tirelessly day and night, finally presented her meticulously crafted report to her manager, only to have it swiftly dismissed as a slapdash effort. Devastated, she resorted to heavy drinking, where Tae-i chance upon her in a bar. In a moment of vulnerability, Mi-ji confessed the immense personal struggle it had taken for her to venture out of her solitary confines and confront the world, only to be met with discouragement by her manager.
In a poignant flashback, we witness Mi-ji's arduous four-hour journey to the hospital, solely to visit her beloved grandmother. Amidst this challenging voyage, she solemnly vows to her grandmother that they will embrace each day as it unfolds, prioritizing the essence of living over all else.
Later, Mi-ji finds herself at Ho-su's apartment, where she inquisitively probes him about their shared hiking adventure and the moment he realized his feelings for her. Ho-su, with a heartfelt response, reveals that Mi-ji was his sole beacon of faith during the grueling mountain climb. Without her unwavering belief in him, he muses, he never would have conquered the summit or undergone such a profound personal transformation.
The episode concludes on a tender note, as Mi-ji confessionally admits to Ho-su that she, too, harbors deep affection for him.
