Episode 8 of "Our Unwritten Seoul" kicks off by delving into the intricate tapestry of Ho-su's past. His contentment was never fully restored after Bun-hong became an integral part of their family, her bond with his father an ever-present thorn in his side. The demise of his mother reduced their family's dynamic from a trio of keen eyes to a mere pair, disturbing the delicate balance that once existed. Bun-hong's subsequent transformation into his stepmother only deepened Ho-su's discontent, longing for a return to the days when their family consisted of "two eyes" in harmony.
Tragedy struck again when Ho-su and his father were involved in a car accident, leaving Ho-su physically scarred. He subsequently moved into the house with Bun-hong, across the street from the twins, donning a mask of normalcy despite his turmoil. Determined not to be a source of burden, Ho-su navigated his new reality with caution, steering clear of drama at all costs.
Flashing forward to the present, Ho-su and Mi-ji have officially embarked on a romantic journey, yet their interactions are fraught with an uneasy tension. Mi-ji, for her part, returns to Seoul temporarily, leaving Mi-rae in a quandary. When she seeks guidance from her mother, who Nonchalantly remarks that having one unemployed daughter is quite enough, Mi-rae's resolve to quit her job falters further. This revelation does little to bolster her argument for embracing a new path.
Mi-rae arrives at the strawberry farm, ultimately conceiving a grand scheme to propel the farm towards prosperity. In gratitude, she proposes an evening stargazing expedition, fostering a heartwarming bond between them as the night unfolds.
Upon her discharge, Ro-sa finds herself presented with the opportunity to enroll in the Adult Guardianship program. With no one else to turn to, she reaches out to Ho-su. However, her peace is disrupted when Chung-gu arrives, grilling her about Sang-wol and presenting her with an ultimatum: sell her restaurant to his company, hinting at more trouble involving Sang-wol if she refuses. Chung-gu boasts of his close ties with Ho-su, labeling him a "beloved junior colleague." Consequently, Ro-sa grows chillingly distant towards Ho-su.
In stark contrast to Bun-hong and Ho-su's overindulgent affection towards the twins, Ok-hui's behavior is a stark reminder of an unspoken discomfort lingering beneath the surface. Bun-hong tries to fill the void in their lives, while Ho-su longs for her to live freely, unshackled by his perceived "burden."
Flashbacks further illuminate this uneasy dynamic. On the anniversary of his parents' ancestral rites, Ho-su felt hurt and dismissed the ceremony as mere performance. He lashed out at Bun-hong, urging her to leave him be. But when she actually did leave the house one night due to a bus mix-up, he realized the depth of his loneliness.
As for Bun-hong, her delay was caused by a harrowing discovery: her mother was hospitalized. Her sister, however, coldly rejected her, leaving her in a desperate plight. Shunned by one family and struggling to find her place in another, Bun-hong found herself in an untenable situation.
Intriguingly, this marks the inaugural occasion where the youthful Mi-ji witnesses the genuine fragility of Ho-su, a revelation that has profoundly altered the dynamics of their bond. As they navigate their budding romance with a touch of awkwardness, they enjoy each other's company, with Ho-su gleefully proclaiming her as his girlfriend. However, when a couple of Ho-su's former workmates unexpectedly arrive, Mi-ji finds herself compelled to resort to deceit, posing as Mi-rae.
Mi-ji laments her role in spoiling their day, but her workplace woes escalate when she notices the return of Park Sang-yeong, whose striking resemblance to her father sends her reeling. This unforeseen encounter gives Mi-rae's earlier comments about their father new significance, sending Mi-ji into a tailspin. Regaining her composure, she engages Park over lunch regarding the HQ project. He suggests that one of them, particularly Sang-yeon himself, should step away from it to minimize gossip. He vows to handle any fallout and lend her whatever assistance he can muster.
While appreciative of his sentiment, Mi-ji resolves to withdraw from the project, entreating him to ensure she faces no penalties. To her further embarrassment, he presents her with a gift—a bookmark—and reveals that he too has a daughter named Mi-rae. Complicating matters further, Park Sang-yeong, who owes his allegiance to senior management, plots behind Mi-ji's back that very night, weaving an intricate web of intrigue.
Park elucidates that her departure from the equation should alleviate any further complications, employing an overt tactic of reverse psychology, as they ponder relocating her to the Childal Branch preemptively, "lest she stirs up more trouble." Suspecting a possible switcheroo among the identical twins, they devise a plan to test them later in the episode.
That evening, following the series of uncomfortable exchanges, Mi-ji dials her sister's number, probing her about Park. Insisting on hearing her perspective, Mi-ji's inquisitiveness stems from her profound longing for their father, a sentiment Mi-rae equally shares but has concealed. Both sisters, bearing this unspoken agony in isolation, find solace in each other's tears during their heartfelt phone conversation.
At the workplace, Tae-i is taken aback by Mi-ji's withdrawal from the HQ Project. Anticipating their imminent switch back, she urges him to extend kindness towards her (i.e., Mi-rae) henceforth. Meanwhile, Ok-hui visits Bun-hong, lending a hand with washing her hair. Halfway through the ritual, Bun-hong confesses her attempt to emulate Ho-su's mother, realizing only now the misimpression she's created. Ok-hui, unexpectedly supportive, reassures her, highlighting the strength of their family bond.
Elsewhere, Ho-su seeks to clear the air with Mi-ji, clarifying his intention for a normal date that inexplicably turned bizarre and uncomfortable. He presents her with a guidebook, and instead of a formal handshake, they find themselves in an unexpected embrace.
Mi-rae arrives to meet Se-jin, but their frequencies are out of sync. Earlier, Director Yoon had paid Se-jin a visit, hinting at succession plans since his ability to complete this year's farming endeavors is uncertain.
It seems he is contemplating a return to the United States to resume his career, yet Mi-rae catches wind of this through grapevine, leaving the veracity of the news shrouded in uncertainty. That very evening, Tae-i makes an unexpected appearance at Mi-ji's doorstep, confronting her head-on. He stands outside her house, revealing himself as the brother of Kim Su-yeon, the Senior Specialist who had exited the company's fold.
Back at the workplace, the atmosphere grows ominously tense as the upper echelons of management confront Mi-ji about her true identity. They push her to scan her fingerprint to gain access to the data processing room, setting the stage for a precariously suspended cliffhanger.
