4 Heartbreaking Revelations From Episodes 7-8 Of "Brewing Love"

Things are going well for the Ju-Ju couple: they fall in love, flirt enough to make the audience curl up in their seats, kiss, and confess their love. In K-drama logic, this can only mean one thing—the trauma is coming. And the trauma does come. Episodes 7 and 8 reveal the backstories of not only Min Ju (Lee Jong Won) and Yong Ju (Kim Se Jeong) but also Ah Reum (Shin Do Hyun) and Chan Hwi (Baek Sung Chul), exposing the pain they hide behind their smiles.

So, here are 4 revelations from episodes 7 and 8 of “Brewing Love.”

Warning: spoilers for episodes 7-8 ahead!

Yong Ju’s regret

Giving the main leads a past connection to strengthen their relationship is an overused trope in K-Dramas. That’s why it’s obvious that the person who saved Min Ju when he was found unconscious in his car six years ago is none other than Yong Ju. However, instead of using this connection to show that Yong Ju and Min Ju are always meant for each other as many other K-dramas do, “Brewing Love” highlights how Yong Ju’s selflessness negatively affects her personal life and mental health.

In episodes 7 and 8, it is finally revealed that while Yong Ju saved Min Ju years ago, the situation does not turn out favorably for her. While she is busy saving a stranger, her own grandmother collapses and tries to call her, but she is preoccupied with keeping Min Ju alive. This fact haunts her ever since. While she doesn’t regret saving Min Ju, she cannot help but wonder if she wronged her grandmother.

In the end, however, she realizes what happens with her grandmother is not her fault. No matter how much she wants to, she cannot save everyone, and that is okay.

The striking contrast between Yong Ju’s and Min Ju’s lives

One devastating contrast that episodes 7 and 8 highlight through a single montage is the difference in Min Ju’s and Yong Ju’s lives. After Yong Ju saves Min Ju from the accident and gives him the courage to be himself and set boundaries to protect his peace, he goes to Germany to study his passion: brewing. However, this same incident makes Yong Ju’s life even more difficult. After her grandmother’s illness, she joins the military to secure a stable job, leaving her passion for music production behind.

While the drama might not explicitly point out this contrast, it seems as though Yong Ju sacrifices her passion so Min Ju can find happiness in what he loves. From the scene where Yong Ju imagines writing music while sitting beside Min Ju, it’s clear that her love for music is still alive. Hopefully, Min Ju will return the favor and help Yong Ju reconnect with her passion.

Bang Ah Reum’s desperation for a family

Since the start of the drama, one thing is clear about Ah Reum: she wants to get married. She is constantly shown going on blind dates to find the perfect husband and staying at her stressful job to maintain her social status, which in turn will help her get a better match on the marriage app. At first, her desperation for marriage seems to stem from parental pressure, something Asian parents are notorious for. While that would have been frustrating, the reality is even more heartbreaking.

In episodes 7 and 8, it is revealed that the real reason she wants to get married is to create a better family than the one she was born into and become a better parent than the ones who raised her. However, after a lukewarm date reminds her of the warmth Chan Hwi has been showing her from the start, she realizes that marrying for the sake of marriage is not the solution. She finally decides to give love a genuine chance.

The truth behind Chan Hwi’s seemingly trauma-free life

Among the main couples, Chan Hwi appears to be the only person without any visible trauma. He has four siblings he is close with and parents who seem to love him. Although his situation might not seem as difficult as Min Ju’s, Yong Ju’s, or Ah Reum’s, there is a hidden sadness behind his cheerful facade.

In one scene, while talking to Ah Reum, Chan Hwi reveals that he has secrets and once ran away from home, though he doesn’t explain why. Initially, this scene seems like Chan Hwi being his goofy self. However, the preview for the next episode suggests he might be dealing with trauma himself.

While adding a backstory for Chan Hwi could deepen his character on paper, sometimes the happy-go-lucky characters should simply remain happy without a traumatic backstory.

Episodes 7 and 8 have been traumatic for Yong Ju. However, “Brewing Love” still has four episodes left which means there might be more trauma to come before our main leads get their happy ending. Thankfully, as Min Ju says, “Let’s go together, as much as possible, anywhere,” they will walk this tough path together and reach a happier place.

Start watching “Brewing Love”:

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Hello Soompiers! What was the most heart-wrenching moment for you from episodes 7 and 8? Let us know in the comment section below!

Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres and stans the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.

Currently watching: “Brewing Love” and “Queen of Tears.”
Looking forward to:  “Squid Game Season 2” and “Reborn.”