The first episode of "Surely Tomorrow" commences with Lee Kyeong-do, an assistant manager at Dongwoon Daily, laboring late into the night over a groundbreaking report that exposes the affair between businessman Cho Jin-eon and actress Ahn Da-hye. The article delves into Da-hye's alleged drug use and hints at Jin-eon's wife, Seo Ji-woo, the heir to the esteemed apparel brand JARIM.
As the story gains national attention the next morning, Kyeong-do vents his frustration to his friends, Park Se-young, Cha Woo-sik, and Lee Jeong-min, about being tasked with writing a current affairs piece instead of indulging in his usual fare of entertainment news. His friends perceptibly sense that Kyeong-do is rattled, fearing a potential reach-out from Ji-woo, his ex-girlfriend.
At work, his boss Jin Han-kyung reprimands him for indulging in early morning imbibing, while colleague Kim Du-jin jests at his expense. Kyeong-do continues to work late, lost in the nostalgic gaze of old photographs of Ji-woo, transporting us back to the year 2007.
A flashback reveals Ji-woo's visit to Kyeong-do's university. Curious and unafraid to poke her nose in, she finds herself following him to the career fair. There, Ji-woo is inadvertently drafted into assisting at Se-young's drama club registration desk. Their first encounter is fraught with tension as Kyeong-do and Ji-woo engage in a heated exchange. Despite their initial clash, Ji-woo manages to persuade Kyeong-do to sign up for the club. As Kyeong-do follows her, he requests an apology for his abrasive behavior, but Ji-woo counters with an invitation to drinks. When Kyeong-do declines, Ji-woo teases him about his weak tolerance for alcohol, setting the stage for their tumultuous past.
Enraged and acquiescing, they indulge in a night of inebriation. Unexpectedly, she inquires if he desires to sleep with her, causing him to stutter in shock before she departs with her chauffeur, Mr. Kim. Se-young escorts the intoxicated Kyeong-do back to the dorm. The following day, he unburdens his interest in Ji-woo to Woo-sik and Jeong-min. At college, Ji-woo drags him out of class for a spontaneous outing, teasing him once again and inviting him to imbibe with her later. Distracted throughout the day, Kyeong-do wanders to the drama club to socialize with his friends.
That night, Ji-woo receives a call from her mother, who chides her for her return from New York. Disheartened, she sits outside listening to music until Kyeong-do finds her. They converse, take the bus together, share their musical tastes, and commence dating after she requests his contact number.
In the present, Se-young calls to check on Kyeong-do. She informs him that Ji-woo desires to speak with him, but he spurns the idea and deactivates his phone. The next day, Du-jin teases him again, and Kyeong-do receives a poetic text from Ji-woo, immediately recognizing her distinctive style.
A flashback reveals them at a slam poetry concert. Though Ji-woo is bored by the event, she notices how deeply Kyeong-do enjoys the activity. On the subway, Ji-woo asks Kyeong-do to recite his favorite poem to her, which moves her to tears. In the present, Kyeong-do leaves work late and meets Ji-woo, who is waiting for him. They sit at a restaurant and argue about their lives. Ji-woo compares herself to a character in the play Waiting for Godot, dubbing Kyeong-do "Godot," claiming she has endlessly waited for him. When he questions her about their past, she accuses him of cowardice.
The memory flashes back to the moment when Ji-woo was introduced to her drama club friends, a group of kindred spirits who soon became her sanctuary. Her joy was short-lived, however, as a call from home interrupted the festivities. Her mother's stern words, urging her to return to the United States and wading into the depths of her mental health struggles, left Ji-woo reeling.
With tears streaming down her face, Ji-woo hailed a cab to meet Kyeong-do. As he enveloped her in his embrace, she confessed her feelings, and he admitted that she had been the catalyst that inspired him to join the drama club. In that tender moment, their lips met for the first time, a symbol of their burgeoning bond.
In the present, Ji-woo discloses to Kyeong-do that she is bound for the UK, her heart heavy with the weight of her impending departure. She thanks him for freeing her from the shackles of an unhappy marriage, one where Jin-eon had blamed her for their failed union, pointing fingers at her depression and anxiety.
Kyeong-do listens with fury, as she implores him to pen her divorce story, offering him an exclusive narrative. The hurt etched on his face as he asks Ji-woo never to see him again, his heart breaking as he walks away, leaving behind a trail of unspoken words and unfulfilled dreams.
