Episode 4 of "What Comes After Love" unfolds with Jungo awakening to the tender tones of Kanna's apology echoing over the phone line, seeking absolution for their tumultuous evening. With a gentle request, he implores her to cancel their expatriate gathering, craving the solace of rest. His thoughts then wander to Budang Lake, the serene haven where Hong makes her abode.
A nostalgic glimpse into the preceding night reveals Kanna's heartfelt plea for Jungo's return, met only with a humble apology. Shifting back to the present, Jungo arranges for a taxi from his hotel, his mind set on another destination.
Meanwhile, at Hong's abode, Rok dabbles in the art of baking, her curiosity piqued. Hong, upon learning of Jungo's cancelled engagements, senses a shift in the air. Rok's innocent query to retrieve Hong's cherished guitar triggers a realization within her: she wasn't striving to forget Jungo; rather, she was yearning to erase the part of herself that loved him so deeply.
As she prepares to venture into the world, Hong engages in a poignant conversation with her mother, the topic of marriage and Min-jun weaving through their discourse. Her mother, wise and loving, counsels her to seek a union grounded in goodness rather than fleeting romance.
Flashing back to happier times, Hong's workplace becomes a makeshift family as her boss's engagement brings joy to the hearts of all. She shares the wedding invitation with Jungo, yet his expression betrays a hint of uncertainty, casting a shadow over their shared excitement.
Ji Hui's voice carries across the miles, imparting insights into the intricacies of Japanese wedding traditions, while Hong and Jungo stroll, their steps synchronized with the rhythm of their conversation. A wedding dress in a display window catches Hong's eye, and Jungo, ever the romantic, insists she try it on, fueling their moment with a spark of magic.
Days later, Jungo borrows a suit from a friend, their exchange laced with news of an opportunity—Professor Sato, a distinguished figure in publishing, is on the hunt for a fresh face. Their paths cross at the wedding, but Sato's urgency to commence work immediately alters the course of Jungo's day.
Hong arrives, guitar in hand, her presence adding a touch of elegance to the festivities. With a soulful rendition of an English love song, she gifts the couple a melody that echoes the depths of her own unspoken feelings, a beautiful testament to the complexities of love and letting go.
Jungo finally emerges, a long while after the wedding festivities have faded into memory. Returning home, he delicately unravels the intricacies of his situation, confessing his unwavering desire to embark on a career with that esteemed publishing house. The revelation sparks a heated debate, with Hong's heart gradually succumbing to the belief that timeless love is but a fleeting fantasy.
In the present moment, Hong's solitary figure is etched against the backdrop of the Budang Lake path, her legs carrying her forward in a purposeful stride. Jungo's gaze catches hers, but she merely darts past, masking a deeper turmoil that betrays her with each stumble, ultimately culminating in a fateful fall. Meanwhile, Jungo retreats to the confines of their hotel room.
Elsewhere, Min-jun engages in a heartfelt conversation with a friend, who shares a poignant tale of pre-wedding jitters experienced by his own beloved. Back at their abode, Rok presents Hong with a verdant envelope, its contents discovered amidst the crevices of the guitar case.
The following dawn, the office bustles with anticipation for Jungo's book signing ceremony, which coincides with his birthday. Memories resurface as Hong takes us back to a time when she celebrated Jungo's birthday alongside his father, flipping through albums that chronicled his youth. One image stands out: Jungo, beaming at a Mont Blanc cake, a favorite of his grandmother's. Determined, Hong hunts for the same cake but is met with its exorbitant price tag.
Their conversation then drifts towards the art of vulnerability, with Jungo vowing to pen a novel that encapsulates his feelings for Hong. Hong, touched, promises to gift him a Mont Blanc cake the following year.
At the event, amidst the flurry of autograph seekers, a question lingers in the air: does Jungo truly believe in the endurance of cross-cultural romances? His response is laced with sincerity as he reveals that this book was a testament to one person, a cry for understanding amidst the web of regrets that entwine his heart. To his amazement, Min-jun materializes in the queue, inquiring about Choi Hong, the name that echoes in the chambers of Jungo's heart.
