Episode 8 of "Second Shot at Love" kicks off with Geum-ju and Ui-joon basking in the glow of their newfound romance. Ui-joon arrives at her doorstep unannounced for a moonlit stroll, prompting Geum-ju to fumble excitedly through her wardrobe in a panic over what to wear. Their interactions, though endearing, are tinged with the awkwardness of new love, as they strive to maintain composure while subtly flirting with each other.
Nurse Baek catches a glimpse of their budding relationship through Ui-joon's spontaneous dance moves and pledges to keep their secret safe, mindful of the gossip-prone villagers. At the workplace, Chief Kim attempts to dissuade Director Park from promoting Geum-ju, highlighting her status as a recovering alcoholic. Unperturbed, Director Park brushes aside Kim's concerns, leaving a frustrated Kim to retaliate by overloading Geum-ju with additional tasks. Mi-yeon, her supportive friend and colleague, warns her about Kim's intentions, but Geum-ju's happiness blinds her to the threats lurking around the corner.
Ui-joon, meantime, enlists the help of his mentor to oversee Geum-ju's well-being in Seoul. The mentor, while urging Ui-joon to reconsider his decision to leave the hospital, offers words of encouragement, reminding him not to harbor guilt. A nostalgic flashback reveals Ui-joon attending to an injured nurse amidst chaos, with Mr. Seo snatching a scalpel in the midst of the turmoil.
Present-day Ui-joon picks up Geum-ju from work, leaving her deeply touched by his considerate gesture. Arriving at his place, Ui-joon rushes to tidy up, while Geum-ju sneaks into the bathroom for a quick touch-up. Their dinner together is a sweet affair, culminating in Geum-ju's heartwarming decision to stay in Bochun for Ui-joon's sake, delighting him immensely.
Elsewhere, Seon-wook boldly proposes a condition to Hyeon-ju: if he fails to win her heart after three dates, he will quit. Hyeon-ju accidentally agrees, but can't help laughing when she sees Seon-wook's ecstatic look. He has made full preparations for this, from skin care to first date precautions. Seon-hwa watches all this and finds Seon-wook, Geum-ju and Hyeon-ju in a very memorable Polaroid photo. Geum-ju's expression in the photo is funny, but Seon-hwa thinks it's cute that her brother is so infatuated.
The following morning, Geum-ju awakens to a world unchanged from the night before. Ui-joon clarifies his intentions, revealing that he merely wished for her to rest, which melts her irritation away. They share a tender kiss, only to be interrupted by an unexpected clatter—a shattered dish lies outside their door, belonging to the ever-inquisitive Ms. Nosy.
Before Ms. Nosy can spread gossip to her cronies, Geum-ju whisks her aside. Ms. Nosy begins to berate her, but it transpires as a colossal misunderstanding—she was actually scolding Geum-ju for her dog's unwanted attention towards Ms. Nosy's pooch. The real culprit is Seon-hwa, who was carrying the dish on behalf of someone else and chanced upon Geum-ju and Ui-joon's kiss. Mistaking Geum-ju for being unfaithful to both Ui-joon and Seon-wook, Seon-hwa confronts her with accusations. Frustrated, Geum-ju blurts out her relationship with Ui-joon. Unfortunately, everyone within earshot catches the revelation, and the news quickly circulates through the village. Whenever a villager pokes fun at her expense, Ui-joon steps in to clarify the situation.
Embarrassed by the mix-up, Seon-hwa confides in Hyeon-ju, expressing her willingness to make exceptions for Seon-wook. However, due to their shared history of abandonment, she yearns for him to lead a flawless life with an impeccable partner. Even the Hans are pleased with Geum-ju's new romance, with Jeong-su wondering aloud when Hyeon-ju will find her own perfect match. She teases Jeong-su about his greed, leaving him momentarily dejected. Nurse Baek also grants her approval to Geum-ju, much to the latter's surprise.
The scene shifts to Ui-joon and Geum-ju enjoying a heartwarming date, culminating in a cozy night together.
Next, we delve into Hyeon-ju's initial rendezvous with Seon-wook. Despite her intent to swiftly dismiss him, she finds herself increasingly swayed by his charm. She begins to notice his striking appearance and his gentle demeanor towards children, making it hard for her to stick to her initial plan. Meanwhile, Ui-joon, oblivious to Seon-wook's crush, tries to extract details from Young-woong. Enter Jeong-su, who comically cautions Ui-joon to behave himself, just as the plot thickens.
Tragedy strikes as Geum-ju celebrates her promotion, only to be hit with distressing news. Chief Kim has admitted to harassing her and falsely accused her of assault, claiming that her second push against him did not constitute self-defense. Her promotion hangs by a thread unless he withdraws his complaint.
Switching gears to the Mr. Seo enigma, Ui-joon's mentor uncovers a clue about his missing father. Ui-joon dashes to the nursing home but discovers no record of Mr. Seo. As he exits, Nurse Baek watches him with curiosity.
Returning to the Kim saga, Kim announces his plan to start his own company, luring away top talents. Geum-ju confronts him, and he proposes a deal: he'll drop the complaint if she wins a drinking contest between them. She accepts and, unsurprisingly, emerges victorious. She stumbles to her favorite riverside spot in Bochun to sober up, where Ui-joon soon joins her. She confesses the truth behind her drinking, leaving him visibly saddened and expressing his fear of losing her. The scene shifts abruptly, placing Geum-ju on a beach as Ui-joon walks into the water. As "Second Shot at Love" Episode 8 concludes, we see Geum-ju asleep on the sand, leaving us to wonder if Ui-joon was merely a figment of her dream.
In the epilogue, Nurse Baek descends into the facility's basement, where Mr. Seo lies confined. Had he not been in a vegetative state, she admits she might have ended his life.
