Episode 2 of "Romance in the House" unfolds at the villa's threshold, as the estranged patriarch, Byeon Moo-jin, unexpectedly returns, casting a ripple of shock through the family's tranquil waters. Jae-gyeol's true colors emerge as the unsuspecting facilitator in this intricate familial drama, navigating the treacherous terrain of their tangled relationships.
To unravel the depths of this convoluted web, we rewind the clock a decade and a year, to a time when Ae-yeon and Moo-jin's fierce battles over their children's custody echoed through the halls of the family court. Yet, amidst the acrimony, Ae-yeon confesses, outside the courtroom's confines, that their encounter was a life-altering calamity. Yet, amidst the storm, their children shone as beacons of light, offering solace amidst the chaos.
Moo-jin, an entrepreneurial spirit, was ever the visionary, his mind abuzz with lucrative schemes during their tumultuous union. His relentless pursuit of fortune eventually bore fruit, but the question lingers: How did he amass his vast wealth?
While Hyeon-jae embraces his father with open arms, inspecting the aftermath in apartment 302, Mi-rae stands at a distance, her heart fortified by years of estrangement. She coldly informs Moo-jin that any dealings with the apartment must pass through her, her desire to flee the villa's confines fueled by the prospect of taking out a loan and striking out on her own. Ae-yeon, however, harbors doubts about this drastic move.
Their apartment hunt proves futile, as day after day passes in a fruitless quest for a new abode that meets their stringent criteria. The villa's residents, initially eager to curry favor with their new landlord, are left stunned when they discover his familial ties to Ae-yeon and Mi-rae, revealing yet another layer in this intricate tapestry of love, loss, and reconciliation.
Among the villa's inhabitants, Lee Jeong-hyeok maintains a keen eye on Moo-jin, his suspicions hovering like a dark cloud over the recent arson attack. He's convinced that their newly appointed landlord might be the culprit, and his theory finds an eerie echo in Moo-jin's actions. As Moo-jin reaches for a box of matches, seemingly poised to ignite a cigarette, he hesitates, transfixed, recalling the sight of charred matchsticks from the opening episode. Jae-gyeol, too, whispers to Moo-jin his intention to handle the landlord situation discreetly, adding another layer of intrigue.
Elsewhere, a haphazard montage unfolds, capturing the mundane routine of Nam Tae-pyeong as he awakens and prepares for the day's toil. The inclusion of this sequence, devoid of much context about his character, feels somewhat puzzling. Nonetheless, as he arrives at work, fate intertwines him with Mi-rae in the elevator, where he instinctively presses the button for the 10th floor, recalling her earlier request. The chemistry between them crackles, foreshadowing a blossoming romance.
Just when Mi-rae thinks she's escaped the drama, her ex-boyfriend stages a spectacle outside her workplace, forcing her to retreat to the sanctuary of her home. But fate deals her another blow—a grazed knee. Here comes Tae-pyeong, once again, like a knight in shining armor, whisking her away on his bike. Yet, what Mi-rae truly yearns for is liberation from her relentless race against time and stress. That night, sitting with her friend, she resolves to put dating on hold, overwhelmed by the weight of her personal battles. Ironically, the perfect companion, who also happens to be skilled in tae-kwon-do, stands within reach, a detail that will prove pivotal later on.
Switching back to Moo-jin, freshly attired after a soak in the bathhouse, his arm bears a scar, but it's the enigmatic origins of his sudden wealth that have the villa residents whispering and speculating.
Ae-yeon remains utterly uncurious, giving her husband Moo-jin the icy treatment. Yet, that very evening, Moo-jin astounds her by offering an unorthodox solution: allowing her to reside in their apartment rent-free! This lavish offer, while undeniably appealing and financially advantageous, stirs a sense of moral ambiguity, as if they're straying from their ethical compass.
Mi-rae stands firm, refusing to accept any assistance from their father, while Hyeon-jae embraces the prospect of freeloading, shamelessly flaunting his father's generosity on Instagram. Their differing viewpoints ignite heated debates, ultimately culminating in Moo-jin seeking a sit-down with Ae-yeon at a local eatery.
She wastes no time, demanding to know the reason behind his sudden appearance. Moo-jin reluctantly reveals that he was aware of their living situation when he purchased the apartment, confessing that his true intention was to reunite with her. He's been working tirelessly in her absence, eager to prove his worth. However, his intentions take a tumultuous turn as he grasps her wrists outside, only to be interrupted by Mi-rae's piercing screams.
Tae-pyeong, drawn by the commotion like a beacon, arrives on the scene and delivers a resounding blow to Moo-jin's face, causing his nose to bleed profusely. Mi-rae joins in, shoving him to the ground, leaving the situation in a chaotic uproar.
Flashing back to a day prior to the villa's fiery incident, we witness the landlord indulging in a drunken dance with Moo-jin. But at the apartment, Moo-jin's demeanor changes drastically, declaring their relationship over and hurling an object against the wall, demanding an end to the festivities. This unexpected turn of events leaves us pondering: What secrets lie beneath this complex web of emotions and motivations?
