Episode 1 of "Perfect Family" kicks off with Choi Sun-hui's return from school, her steps echoing the bustling streets. To her surprise, she discovers Soo-yeon's workbook nestled within her bag, prompting her to embark on a journey to return it. As she strolls towards Soo-yeon's residence, fate intertwines as she witnesses Soo-yeon entering the abode of Kyeong-ho, whom Sun-hui harbors a mutual affection for. Yet, amidst the fluttering emotions, Sun-hui hesitates and chooses the path home.
Within Kyeong-ho's sanctuary, a scene unfolds that defies the tranquility. Soo-yeon stumbles upon Kyeong-ho meticulously arranging a grand feast, the ultimate prelude to his proposal to Sun-hui. A careless remark from Kyeong-ho ignites a fiery rage within Soo-yeon, who brandishes a knife, her eyes blazing with vengeance. Sun-hui, alerted by the tumult from outside, rushes in, only to behold a chilling sight—Soo-yeon, knife raised, with her charred head eerily exposed.
The tension reaches a crescendo as Soo-yeon lunges towards Sun-hui, but Kyeong-ho, in a selfless act, intervenes, shielding Sun-hui from harm. Tragically, he pays the ultimate price, the knife piercing his heart, and his life slipping away. Sun-hui, now clad in Kyeong-ho's crimson legacy, stumbles back to her own home.
Eun-joo, Sun-hui's mother, meets her daughter's gaze fraught with shock and horror, her heart heavy as she takes in the ghastly sight of Sun-hui drenched in blood. Sun-hui's confession, raw and shattered, echoes through the air: "I killed Kyeong-ho." Her world crumbles around her as she succumbs to the weight of her actions.
The narrative then delicately rewinds, painting a picture of a bygone day—Soo-yeon's maiden voyage into the school's corridors. Sun-hui and her inseparable companions, Kyeong-ho and Hyun-woo, share a classroom, their bond unbreakable. The teacher's introduction of Soo-yeon as the newest member of their fold echoes through the room, but Sun-hui's memory fails her, leaving Soo-yeon to grapple with the embarrassment of unrequited recognition.
As the lunch bell chimes, Sun-hui, Kyeong-ho, and Hyun-woo indulge in camaraderie, their conversation lighthearted yet revealing of Sun-hui's seemingly flawless family life—her mother's meticulous food packing and her father's unparalleled professional success. From her peripheral vision, Soo-yeon overhears their words, a pang of jealousy and loneliness piercing her heart, prompting her to abruptly rise and depart, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and simmering emotions.
That evening, Sun-hui's father, Jin-hyeok, was honored with an excellence award, a momentous occasion that his wife, Eun-joo, and daughter, Sun-hui, joyously celebrated alongside him. The following morning, as Sun-hui arrived at school, a male classmate surprised her with a gift, evoking a touch of envy from Kyeong-ho and playful teasing from Hyun-woo.
In the midst of it all, Kyeong-ho presented Sun-hui with a swan keychain, meticulously crafted for her, which she gratefully accepted. Hyun-woo and Soo-yeon, observing from a distance, shared a silent witness to this exchange. After school bells chimed, Sun-hui excused herself to study, leaving the two boys behind.
Soo-yeon, finding Sun-hui alone in the classroom, sought to rekindle their childhood bond, using a matchbox as a reminder of days gone by. A poignant flashback transported us to a younger Sun-hui, besieged by a group of boys, until Soo-yeon appeared like a guardian angel, rescuing her. The two orphan girls confided in each other, Soo-yeon sharing her ignorance of her parents' whereabouts, while Sun-hui revealed the loss of her mother but the living presence of her father.
Their bond deepened within the orphanage walls, until Soo-yeon disclosed her impending adoption. The narrative shifted back to the present, where Soo-yeon revealed that the adoption had been abruptly halted due to an accident, a revelation that Sun-hui was unaware of. Unhesitatingly, Sun-hui vowed to support Soo-yeon in any endeavor, including lending her the cherished keychain from Kyeong-ho.
Under the starlit sky, Kyeong-ho and Hyun-woo conversed on the basketball court, Hyun-woo voicing his belief that Sun-hui's devotion to academics would hinder her from acknowledging Kyeong-ho's affections. Suddenly, Sun-hui's arrival disrupted their discourse, her inquiry about birthday plans igniting a spark in Kyeong-ho's mind.
Later, during dinner, Sun-hui's thoughts wandered to Soo-yeon, prompting her to seek her father's counsel on how to approach her troubled friend. Jin-hyeok wisely suggested penning a heartfelt letter as a means of expressing empathy and understanding.
Meanwhile, Soo-yeon makes her way to her part-time job, eager to collect her paycheck, only to discover that the shop's doors are shuttered, its lights extinguished—a casualty of her boss's gambling debts. Panic sets in as Soo-yeon realizes the predicament she's in, struggling to balance the financial demands of her prestigious private school, once shared by Sun-hui.
The next morning, amidst the bustle of school life, Soo-yeon approaches Sun-hui, her voice muffled by the latter's earphones. She hesitates, then musters the courage to loudly request a loan, her embarrassment palpable as the entire class, including Kyeonh-ho, stares in disbelief.
That evening, seclusion in her dorm room offers no escape from her worries. Her roommate's innocent inquiry about her social life unveils the hardship beneath Soo-yeon's veneer. She confesses that even with financial aid, making ends meet is a daily struggle, while Sun-hui, her childhood friend, remains a distant memory.
The next day brings an unexpected turn as Kyeong-ho, with a mixture of concern and sternness, offers Soo-yeon some money, admonishing her to cease her aggressive behavior towards Sun-hui. The words ignite a fiery response within Soo-yeon, who lashes out, punching Kyeong-ho and venting her frustration at feeling like a charity case to Sun-hui.
As the school day wanes, Soo-yeon witnesses Sun-hui and Kyeong-ho being chauffeured away by Sun-hui's affluent parents, a sight that stings. Two classmates, sensing an opportunity, attempt to draw Soo-yeon into their clique by disparaging Sun-hui, but Soo-yeon remains unswayed, her pride intact as she walks away.
The following day, Kyeong-ho seeks Soo-yeon out, his tone apologetic as he acknowledges the insensitivity of his earlier action. Touched by his sincerity, Soo-yeon prepares to leave, only to cross paths with Sun-hui, who reveals that it was she who prompted Kyeong-ho's apology. This revelation stirs up fresh emotions within Soo-yeon, leaving her feeling both confused and hurt.
Later, Soo-yeon's path crosses with Hyun-woo, and they delve into the depths of his sentiments for Sun-hui. Hyun-woo confides in Soo-yeon, revealing that both Sun-hui and Kyeong-ho hail from exceptionally affluent backgrounds, leaving him to conclude that he couldn't fathom the possibility of a romantic entanglement with Sun-hui. This revelation stirs a wave of emotion within Soo-yeon, casting doubts on whether an orphan like herself should even entertain such dreams of companionship.
As night falls, Soo-yeon finds herself outside Sun-hui's academy, driven by an urgency to speak with her in solitude. She guides Sun-hui to an abandoned parking lot, the air thick with tension as she confronts her about the fateful accident that stripped her of her hair. Soo-yeon's voice quivers as she recounts the aftermath—her scalp scorched, her adoption prospects abruptly extinguished.
She paints a vivid picture of the eve before her own adoption, when she sat forlornly outside the orphanage's gates, unaware that her life would soon be irrevocably altered by Sun-hui's unwitting act. The flames, ignited without malice, swept through the building, sparing most but leaving Soo-yeon to bear the brunt of the tragedy. As the smoke cleared, Sun-hui found herself on the path to adoption, while Soo-yeon's journey was halted, her injuries sealing her fate.
The episode draws to a close with a poignant flashback, capturing the innocence of youth as little Soo-yeon gently lulls little Sun-hui to sleep with a bedtime story, their bond forged amidst the confines of the orphanage. The scene serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities that life can weave, even amidst the simplest of beginnings.
