Step into the enchanting world of the Netflix Korean drama See You in My 19th Life, a captivating fantasy romantic comedy based on the popular manhwa (webtoon) of the same name.
In this series, we follow the extraordinary journey of Ban Ji Eum, a woman blessed with the extraordinary ability to remember her past lives.
She sets out to reconnect with the people from her previous life. We can’t help but wonder how these memories will shape the course of romance in her 19th life.
Episode 2 Recap: Ban Ji Eum’s Bold Proposition to Mun Seo Ha
We pick up right where we left off in the last episode, with an audacious move from Ban Ji Eum.
She boldly asks Mun Seo Ha to consider dating her as a trial run before making a decision on her hiring. This unexpected proposition unsettles Seo Ha, considering they are complete strangers who have just met.
Ji Eum remains elusive about their previous connection and challenges Seo Ha to remember where they first encountered each other.
Later that night, she confides in Kim Ae Gyeong about the incident, who questions Ji Eum’s emotional maturity despite her extensive life experiences.
Unfortunately for Ji Eum, her objectivity is nonexistent when it comes to Seo Ha.
Mun Seo Ha’s Complex Relationships
Seo Ha’s hearing impairment was not the only challenge he faced after the accident.
Sitting in the back seat and avoiding Yoon Cho Won became additional struggles for him.
Lee Ji Seok from Daehwan Group, who was scouting Ji Eum in the previous episode, is acquainted with Seo Ha, Do Yun, and Cho Won.
Ji Seok unexpectedly pays Cho Won a visit, further unsettling her already delicate emotional state after being ignored by both Seo Ha and Do Yun.
Ji Seok subtly hints at wanting to spend time with her, but she firmly rejects his advances.
He probes whether she still harbors feelings for Seo Ha, but she remains tight-lipped.
Mun Seo Ha Gets A Panic Attack
Ji Eum is planning on proving her worth to Seo Ha who was apprehensive during her interview.
While exploring the MI Hotel market area and researching current interior design trends, she stumbles upon Insa-dong’s collection of antique furniture.
Intrigued, she decides to delve deeper into it. Coincidentally, Seo Ha also has the same plan in mind.
Seo Ha suddenly feels overwhelmed, as if on the verge of collapsing.
Without hesitation, Ji Eum reaches out and firmly holds his hands, and starts running.
Ji Eum opens up about an incident from her past life—the 10th life—when Korea faced the Japanese invasion.
She describes how she would run to combat panic attacks, focusing solely on her breath.
Ban Ji Eum’s Sudden Proposal
Seo Ha’s skepticism grows as he contemplates whether Ji Eum is a pathological liar, fabricating stories about events she couldn’t have experienced, such as the Japanese Invasion or a trip to an Arab country.
He confronts her and offers reassurance that her secret will remain safe with him, encouraging her to confess without hesitation.
Ji Eum recalls how the young Seo Ha had asked her (Ju Won) to promise to marry him.
She impulsively blurts out, “Marry me.”
Seo Ha is taken aback by the sudden proposal, unable to comprehend its meaning until Ji Eum reveals that it was a subtle hint intended to jog his memory about where they had originally met.
Ban Ji Eum’s Sudden Proposal: Still from episode 2 of See You in My 19th LifeInterventions: Flamenco Saves the Day
The following day, armed with her well-documented findings from the trip, Ji Eum heads to the MI Hotel, determined to convince Seo Ha to hire her.
However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Ji Seok, who gets a little handsy.
Using her flamenco skills, Ji Eum swiftly maneuvers away from his grip on her wrist.
Both Seo Ha and Do Yun witness the uncomfortable encounter. Taking the opportunity, Ji Seok mocks the pair.
Ji Eum once again employs her flamenco prowess to caution Ji Seok against his disrespectful behavior.
Having finally joined the strategic planning team at MI Hotel, Ji Eum meets Seo Ha in the lobby, ready to accompany him to the office.
However, their plans are interrupted when they spot Seo Ha’s stepbrother, Chan Hyeok (Bin Chan Uk), inebriated and causing a scene with his friends.
Seo Ha attempts to intervene, but Chan Hyeok, unaware of his identity, asserts his authority.
Noticing Ji Eum, Chan Hyeok pulls her into their company for drinks, but Seo Ha swiftly steps in and delivers a well-placed kick to Chan Hyeok’s shin.
The arrival of Seo Ha’s stepmother, Jang Yeon Ok, interrupts the commotion as she escorts Seo Ha to her office for a private conversation.
Ji Eum recognizes Yeon Ok, recalling her presence in a previous life where she had witnessed her engaging in an intimate affair with the older Mr. Mun.
Though not explicitly stated, Yeon Ok subtly warns Seo Ha not to interfere with the hotel’s affairs, hinting at potential consequences.
Task Assignments at the Strategic Planning Team
Within the strategic planning team, Seo Ha delegated tasks to everyone except Ji Eum.
He explains that he hasn’t yet determined a specific role for her due to the diverse range of her skills. Instead, he asks her to assist the others as needed.
In the midst of this, Cho Won, the owner of a landscaping company, seeks out Ji Eum.
Aware that Seo Ha might overlook her portfolio, Cho Won implores Ji Eum to discreetly slip it among the others without drawing attention.
Meanwhile, Do Yun approaches Ji Eum, curious about her true intentions for joining the hotel.
Ji Eum confesses that she does have ulterior motives but reassures Do Yun that they pose no harm to Seo Ha.
Observing their secretive conversation and their close proximity, Seo Ha grows suspicious and calls Do Yun to inquire about the nature of their discussion.
Unveiling Childhood Memories
Later that evening, Seo Ha is swimming in his heated pool when he recalls where he met Ji Eum. He calls her up and asks her to meet him.
A flashback transports us to their younger selves when a nine-year-old Ji Eum would often stalk a teenage Seo Ha.
He was letting his frustrations out with a hammer at a construction site when the workers noticed him.
Ji Eum instinctively grasped his hand and swiftly guided him away, urging him to run. And when they reach a safe place, she refuses to let go.
They sat on a seesaw, catching their breaths, when Seo Ha noticed Ji Eum’s radiant smile.
Intrigued, he questioned the reason behind her joy, but instead of providing an explanation, she playfully proposed marriage, vowing to grow up gracefully and treat him well.
He notices him bleeding, starts cleaning his wound, and hits him for getting hurt. But the very next moment, she tearfully unwraps her bandana from around her neck and wraps his hand with it.
Back in the present, Ji Eum boasts about growing up prettily and playfully demands Seo Ha marry her, but he laughs it off.
Unveiling Childhood Memories: Still from episode 2 of See You in My 19th LifeMun Jung Hoon’s Plans Unveiled
Meanwhile, Mun Jung Hoon extends an invitation to Do Yun, seeking updates on Seo Ha’s current situation.
In their meeting, he goes a step further and offers Do Yun a substantial sum of money as a gesture of appreciation. However, Do Yun firmly declines.
Mun Jung Hoon expresses his hopes that Do Yun will continue the important work he started in Germany and effectively guide Seo Ha, ensuring he remains on the desired path.
Revealing a glimpse of his grand scheme, the older Mr. Mun discloses his plan to transfer Seo Ha to the company headquarters within a year.
See You in My 19th Life Episode 2 Ending Explained
On April 23, a melancholic Seo Ha, donning a black suit and clutching a meticulously arranged bouquet, attempts to reach out to Do Yun, only to find his phone turned off.
Recalling Ji Eum’s earlier assurance of being there for him whenever he needs assistance, he hesitantly decides to dial her number.
Meanwhile, Ji Eum is gossiping with Ae Gyeong, discussing Seo Ha’s unexpected recollection of her nine-year-old self.
Although she harbored a glimmer of hope that he would recognize her as Ju Won, she acknowledges that the living often have a tendency to forget the dead.
Just as Seo Ha fervently prays that his call goes unanswered, Ji Eum receives the phone.
She drops him off at the cemetery and sees that he went there to visit Ju Won’s grave.
In all of her lives, she has mourned the deaths of her near and dear ones. For the first time, she is witnessing the pain of the people she left behind.
Sitting alone, she silently begs Seo Ha not to cry.
See You in My 19th Life Episode 2 Episode 2 Review
Story development-wise, we’re in a good place. The pace is swift, maintaining a balance of intrigue without divulging too much.
However, avid readers of the manhwa may notice several divergences in this adaptation.
One notable difference lies in the instant connection that Cho Won feels upon her initial encounter with Ji Eum—a connection that goes unexplored in the live-action adaptation. As an artist manager, not the owner of a landscape company, Cho Won is drawn to Ji Eum, seeing glimpses of her deceased older sister within her.
One might miss the park bench where nine-year-old Ji Eum first met young Seo Ha, but the running and seesaw scenes offer their own unique charm.
Another intriguing addition to the live-action adaptation is Seo Ha’s affinity for water, something absent from the original manhwa. This artistic choice, while deviating from the source material, grants the series a visually captivating quality. Ahn Bo Hyun in the pool is always welcome.
One aspect of Seo Ha’s character that readers might miss is his habit of leaving the television on overnight to ensure he can still hear in the morning. That was both endearing and heartbreaking.
Do Yun in the manhwa was the definition of tall, broody, and handsome. Nevertheless, AhnDong Goo brings a new allure and charm to the character.
As for the upcoming episodes, we hope to see more of the smiling Seo Ha. It would be a sin to conceal such a beautiful smile. And Ahn Bo Hyun’s swimming shots are always welcome.
Check out our review of Episode 1: See You in My 19th Life Episode 1 Recap and Ending Explained: Unforgettable Memories of Past Lives
