Serendipity’s Embrace episode 1 premiered on Monday, July 22, 2024, on tvN. The new K-drama stars Kim So-Hyun as Lee Hong-Ju and Chae Jong-Hyeop as Kang Hu-Yeong. It is a romance series revolving around the themes of fate and coincidence.
Based on a webtoon, the drama tells the story of Hong-Ju, who has a crush on Hu-Yeong in high school. At the time, he rejected her, which made her doubt her decisions about love in the future. After a decade, fate brings them together.
Episode 1 begins with Hu-Yeong arriving in South Korea for business after ten years. When he arrives, he checks into a cafe to meet a girl. A familiar figure appears in front of him and introduces herself as Hong-Ju. She thinks he is her blind date. Meanwhile, Hu-Yeong stares at her as he cannot believe he is facing his past. Soon, a woman greets Hu-Yeon, which makes Hong-Ju realize that she sat at the wrong table. Interestingly, Hong-Ju fails to recognize her first crush, making him restless.
What happens in Serendipity’s Embrace Episode 1?
Serendipity’s Embrace episode 1 simultaneously shows that Hong-Ju and Hu-Yeon’s respective blind dates have not ended well. While returning home, Hu-Yeon’s friend/colleague calls him from the US. He advises Hu-Yeon to meet those he wants to meet for the last time before leaving his hometown for good. It makes Hu-Yeon think of Hong-Ju.
He spots her at a bus stand and recalls the past. A flashback appears where high school student Hong-Ju waits for Hu-Yeon, holding a love card. She extends her hands that hold the card, which has many hearts printed on it, towards Hu-Yeon. The schoolmates surrounding the two begin to cheer for the pair. As they look around awkwardly, she asks if he will not take the envelope. After he hesitantly takes it, she asks him to respond to the letter/card. The flashback ends.
If their first encounter after a decade seems like a coincidence, Hu-Yeon sees her again. He finally gets out of his car and approaches Hong-Ju, who is buying a snack from a street vendor.
Will Kim So-Hyun recognize Chae Jong-Hyeop?
Hu-Yeong approaches Hong-Ju at the street food stall. Initially, she ignores him, which confuses him. He finally asks if she recognizes him. In response, Hong-Ju casually says, “I do. You are Kang Hu-Yeong.” Slightly irritated, he complains to her why she didn’t acknowledge him. She looks unbothered and answers, “Do I have to?” Hu-Yeong seems surprised and says they have not seen each other for ten years. After they bicker for some time, Hong-Ju gets his number so that she can help him reconnect with their high schoolmates.
Hu-Yeong becomes restless at home as he waits for Hong-Ju’s text. He sulks and says that he is also not happy to see her. Then, a flashback shows the characters’ first encounter in their high school. Despite an awkward first meeting, he found himself attracted to her.
Is Chae Jong-Hyeop not Kim So-Hyun’s first love?
The first high school flashback seemed as if Hu-Yeong was Hong-Ju’s first love. However, in episode 1, Hong-Ju tells her best friend, Kim Hye-Ji (Kim Da-Som), about her sudden encounter with Hu-Yeong at a cafe. This is then it is revealed that Hu-Yeong was Hye-Ji’s first love. Hong-Ju only helped her childhood friend forward her love letter to Hu-Yeong.
Coming back to the present, it becomes evident that Hong-Ju is, instead, Hu-Yeong’s first love. When Hye-Ji calls him to invite him to his welcome party, he looks annoyed and only wants to hear Hong-Ju’s voice.
Serendipity’s Embrace Episode 1 ending spoilers
Later, Serendipity’s Embrace episode 1 shows Hye-Ji flirting with Hu-Yeong at his welcome dinner. He, however, patiently waits for Hong-Ju. Meanwhile, the latter attends a party where she sees her favorite novel writer, Bang Jun-Ho (Yun Ji-On). She tries to avoid meeting him, but Jun-Ho spots her and approaches her. It seems they know each other but have a past.
Later, drunk Hong-Ju arrives at Hu-Yeong’s welcome dinner. He doesn’t say anything and only observes her adorable drunk behavior. Hu-Yeong then accompanies her as she heads home. They recall their school days and laugh at their first encounter. The first episode ends with a heart-fluttering moment where Hu-Yeong hints at his feelings for her.
Serendipity’s Embrace airs on Mondays and Tuesdays on tvN and Viki.
