Welcome back, drama lovers! Today, I am diving deep into the emotional finale of "The Interest of Love." If you have been following Ha Sang-su and Ahn Su-yeong’s tumultuous journey, you know we have been through a lot.
The final episode, Episode 16, brings us closure, but in a very realistic and poignant way that fits the tone of the entire series perfectly.
The story takes a leap forward, skipping four years into the future. It is a classic K-drama trope, but here it serves to show how much our characters have grown. Sang-su is now a team leader at the bank, looking sharp and professional. At a wedding, he runs into Mi-gyeong.
It was refreshing to see them interact so comfortably. The awkwardness is gone, replaced by mutual respect. Mi-gyeong seems happy; she mentions she has a boyfriend in Washington and even jokes about Sang-su’s love life. It is clear that time has healed those old wounds, and they can finally smile at each other without the weight of the past.
A Fated Reunion
Destiny has a funny way of working, doesn't it? Sang-su stumbles upon a familiar name while reviewing loan documents at his branch. The applicant is seeking a loan for a place called "Drawing Cafe Future Happiness." Recognizing the handwriting or perhaps just feeling a pull, he decides to investigate.
He visits the cafe, and lo and behold, it is Su-yeong. She is living a quieter life now, running this charming little space filled with art. There is a beautiful moment where Sang-su notices a drawing of a sandcastle, a callback to a memory they shared at the beach.
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When they finally meet face-to-face, it is understated but powerful. Su-yeong actually visits Sang-su’s bank branch to sort out the loan issues because of some missing documents. The professionalism quickly melts away into a personal catch-up. They decide to grab coffee, and just like that, the two former colleagues are sitting across from each other again.
Closure for Jong-hyeon
Before we get to the main couple's resolution, I have to mention Jong-hyeon. We see him in a police uniform, directing traffic. He finally achieved his dream of becoming a police officer. Su-yeong spots him from her car while driving.
Instead of stopping to say hello, she simply smiles and drives on. It is a subtle, mature moment. She sees that he is doing well and that he made it. That silent acknowledgement is all the closure she needed. It shows that they have both moved on to their own separate paths.
Confronting the "What Ifs"
The core of this finale is the conversation between Sang-su and Su-yeong. They revisit the places that defined their relationship, including the path they used to walk. They finally talk about the "what ifs" that have plagued them (and us viewers!) for years.
They openly discuss the pivotal moments where things went wrong. Sang-su admits his regret about hesitating to enter the restaurant that one night. He imagines a version of reality where he didn't hesitate, where he walked in confidently and confessed his feelings right then and there.
Su-yeong also shares her regrets. She talks about the time at the bus terminal. She imagines a scenario where she didn't just let him walk away, where she held onto his hand and asked him to stay. Seeing the "shadow" versions of themselves acting out these brave choices was heartbreaking yet beautiful.
A Realistic Ending
So, do they get married? The drama doesn't give us a traditional wedding scene or a flash-forward to them with kids. Instead, it gives us something arguably more real. They talk about a hypothetical future, getting married, having a child, maybe fighting, and even joking about divorce.
It suggests they accept that love isn't a fairy tale; it is messy and mundane. The final scene shows them walking together up a hill, smiling. They are no longer agonizing over "interests" or calculations. They are just two people enjoying each other's company in the present moment.
For me, this was a happy ending. It implies they are starting over, properly this time, without the baggage of their past misunderstandings. They found their way back to each other, and that walk signifies they are ready to face whatever comes next, together.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Sang-su and Su-yeong actually get married?
The drama does not explicitly show a wedding ceremony or a flash-forward to a married life with children. However, the ending is heavily implied to be a happy one.
They reunite, clear the air about their past regrets, and are seen walking together comfortably. It signifies a fresh start where they are finally on the same page, suggesting a long-term future together without the complications that held them back before. They are finally ready to love each other simply and honestly.
What happened to Mi-gyeong and Jong-hyeon?
Both second leads got their own form of happy endings. Mi-gyeong returns from Washington after four years; she is bright, happy, and mentions having a new boyfriend, showing she has completely moved on from Sang-su.
She and Sang-su are even able to joke around as friends. As for Jong-hyeon, he finally achieved his goal. We see him working as a police officer, looking healthy and settled. Su-yeong sees him from afar while driving but decides not to disrupt his life, acknowledging his success silently with a smile.
Why did Su-yeong ghost everyone for four years?
Su-yeong felt that she needed to disappear to break the cycle of hurt and hesitation she was trapped in. She quit the bank and cut ties to find her own "future happiness," which she eventually found by opening her drawing cafe.
She needed that time apart to heal and build a life where she felt secure in herself. It was only after establishing her own independence that she could stand before Sang-su again without feeling unequal or anxious.
