In ‘More Beautiful than Heaven’, Kim Hye-ja bid an emotional farewell to Lee Jung-eun.
In the JTBC weekend drama ‘More Beautiful than Heaven’ (written by Lee Nam-kyu and Kim Soo-jin, directed by Kim Seok-yoon), which aired on the 17th, the past life connection between Lee Hae-sook (played by Kim Hye-ja) and Lee Young-ae (played by Lee Jung-eun) was revealed, providing a twist. After reuniting with her father (played by Park Jae-cheol) in heaven, Lee Young-ae confronted her childhood trauma and went to see the center director (played by Cheon Ho-jin) to express her resentment and anger. The center director revealed the secret of their past life, stating, “You have met again as parent and child to resolve the homework of fate.”
On this day, the expression and gaze of Go Nak-jun (played by Son Seok-gu) changed dramatically upon discovering the identity of ‘Shirt Guy’ Kang Jeong-gu (played by Jeong Jin-gak). He pressed Kang Jeong-gu with the cryptic question, “Where did you sell him off?!” and in the ensuing chaos, Kang Jeong-gu attempted to escape from Go Nak-jun but met his end in a traffic accident. In a moment of desperation, Kang Jeong-gu choked Go Nak-jun, threatening his life. At that moment, Somi (played by Han Ji-min), who was watching the two, used an unknown force to separate Kang Jeong-gu from Go Nak-jun. As a result, Go Nak-jun, delayed in returning to heaven, received a suspension from his earthly duties.
Lee Hae-sook discovered a wildflower ring, and her heart was troubled as she sensed something different about her husband Go Nak-jun. However, she concealed her anxious feelings, trying not to harbor unnecessary suspicions. When Go Nak-jun revealed that he could no longer work, Lee Hae-sook felt a sense of relief, thinking it was rather fortunate.
Meanwhile, Somi was also struggling with her feelings for Go Nak-jun. Lee Young-ae, who was in unrequited love, seemed to notice that Somi was in a similar situation and expressed her heartfelt concern, saying, “I hope it doesn’t come to that, but just in case, I warn you, Uncle (Go Nak-jun) is off-limits.”
Lee Young-ae's heart began to race at some point. She thought it was because of her crush on the center director, but in reality, it was the feeling she experienced every time her father came closer. Upon seeing her father, whom she never wanted to remember or meet again, Lee Young-ae was engulfed in fear and terror, as if she had returned to her childhood. Her father, who had come to the heavenly house in search of his daughter, was turned away by Lee Hae-sook but waited all night in front of the house. Unable to bear it any longer, Lee Young-ae pulled her father along to find the center director.
When Lee Young-ae confronted the center director about the presence of a father-like figure in heaven, he explained, “Do you think this person looks happy? If he is not happy, then he is still in hell here.” He described the punishment of ‘paternal love’ that had been imposed on her father. Lee Young-ae had grown up in abuse and neglect, and her father was an irresponsible man who had given away his young daughter in exchange for paying off his debts to Lee Hae-sook. After his death, he was to be blamed and shunned by his daughter, causing her pain.
Even more astonishing was the fact that whether Lee Young-ae forgave him or not, he would be reincarnated. The center director stated, “The purpose of reincarnation is to correct and resolve the mistakes made in the past life,” and that the connection with her father had continued until now and would continue into the future.
It was shocking to learn that the two had been husband and wife in their past life, and that the fate included ‘daughter’ Lee Hae-sook. In other words, Lee Young-ae's past life was that of Lee Hae-sook's biological mother. She had lived a tragic life, never having held her child, whom she bore in pain as a concubine, and had passed away without ever having the late desire to be a mother.
Amidst this, Lee Hae-sook and Lee Young-ae set out for their last picnic in heaven. Although they met as strangers in this life, Lee Hae-sook raised Lee Young-ae like a daughter, repeating the connections of their previous life. Lee Young-ae expressed her gratitude to her, and Lee Hae-sook prepared to part ways again, saying, “I should live happily now.”
Holding the hand of Lee Young-ae, who was disappearing in a bright light, Lee Hae-sook said her final farewell, “Next time, make sure to pamper me, Mom,” which brought tears to the viewers' eyes. After leaving heaven and returning to the earthly realm, Lee Young-ae opened her eyes in a hospital ICU, where she had been unconscious for three months.
In particular, the center director's line, “Whether it’s happiness in the present or unhappiness in the past, if we seek the reason, the law of all these connections can provide the answer,” made viewers reflect on the special connection between Lee Hae-sook and Lee Young-ae. At the end of the broadcast, scenes of a pastor praying and the appearances of Lee Hae-sook and Somi drew attention.
The pastor, who had lost his mother and was crying alone in his childhood, and scenes recalling the time spent with Lee Hae-sook in heaven were followed by the last line of the prayer, “Thank you that my prayer has already been answered.” Above all, the pastor called out “Mom” towards Lee Hae-sook, while Somi woke up crying, saying, “Our baby, Eun-ho,” hinting that there was a secret in their connection, raising curiosity.
Meanwhile, episode 10 of ‘More Beautiful than Heaven’ will air on the 18th at 10:30 PM.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
