4 times episodes 9-10 of “The Practical Guide To Love” made us go “Aww”

The latest episodes of “The Practical Guide to Love” really calls out the heartfelt moments, making us go “aww” more than once.

Until now, the K-drama has focused on whether Ui Yeong (Han Jimin) would choose the stable, reliable Tae Seop (Park Sung Hoon) or Ji Su (Lee Ki Taek), the free-spirited guy who always chases the wind. But as the climax of episode eight solidifies Ui Yeong’s feelings for the nice guy, this past week’s episodes shift their focus to the growth of her relationship with Tae Seop while also highlighting Ji Su’s more mature side.

So, from Tae Seop and Ui Yeong’s cute dates to Ji Su trying to save his friendship with her, here are four moments from the latest episodes of “The Practical Guide to Love” that made us go “aww.”

Warning: spoilers ahead!

First date after declaration of love

At the end of episode eight, Ui Yeong finally confesses her feelings to Tae Seop, and the episode ends on a climax indicating that the couple will now shift their relationship status from getting to know each other to officially dating. So, episode nine wastes no time and shows Tae Seop and Ui Yeong on their first date as a couple. And while it’s not as extravagant as their first blind date, which took place in a fancy restaurant, this modest ice cream walk feels anything but simple because of the meaning behind it.

Both Ui Yeong and Tae Seop are shown holding their soft serve cones with one hand, walking side by side with beet red cheeks. Although the couple are in their early 30s, their hesitant smiles and gentle glances are reminiscent of a teenage couple who have just professed their love. To top it off, Tae Seop says he still can’t believe that not only does he love Ui Yeong, but that she loves him too. Seriously, Tae Seop’s nice-guy charm actually works.

The forbidden office date

While Tae Seop may not be the best boss ever, he’s pretty far up the list. Whenever he is shown with his employees, instead of being a stern figure who only focuses on achieving the highest profit by milking his workers to the bone, he seems like someone who genuinely cares about his craftsmanship as well as the well-being of the people who work under him. However, he has unbreakable rules, according to his employees. First, never drink in the office. Second, never date in the office. The reasoning behind both rules is simple; drinking and going out excites people, which leads to accidents in an office full of pointy tools and machinery.

But Tae Seop himself seems to have forgotten these rules when he brings Ui Yeong to his office. All he wants to do is measure Ui Yeong so he can gift her the perfect ergonomic, hand-carved wooden chair. But one thing leads to another, and the couple is almost about to kiss when their employees, drinks in hand, walk in on them. While, in another workplace in another K-drama, this scene might have cost the three employees their jobs, in “The Practical Guide to Love”, the employees ask Tae Seop about their relationship and tease him for going out in the office, and he responds by telling them that they themselves are breaking rule number one. Although this scene is mainly funny, it once again highlights the friendly relationship that Tae Seop has with his employees, proving his kind and compassionate nature.

Ui Yeong steals Tae Seop’s heart with her charisma

During the latest episodes of “The Practical Guide to Love”, Ui Yeong and Tae Seop go on several dates. From eating ice cream during a late night walk to Tae Seop’s home cooked brunch, to their office furniture date that showcases Tae Seop’s compassionate side, all these moments focus more on Tae Seop’s lovelorn side. But during episode 10, when Tae Seop tags along with Ui Yeong on her work trip, the audience finally gets to see Ui Yeong’s equally charismatic self.

After a full day of walking near the beach and eating at a locally famous eatery, the couple head for a ferris wheel. While they are in the air looking at the city dozens of feet above the ground, Ui Yeong looks at Tae Seop and realizes he is afraid of heights to the point of not being able to look at the view. The only reason he agreed to get on the ride was to stay by Ui Yeong’s side. And Ui Yeong, the charisma-dripping person that she is, smiles, looks him in the eyes, and says, “Keep your eyes on me. Not scared now, okay?” Everyone can finally see why Tae Seop and Ji Su are so head over heels for her. Because not only is Ui Yeong beautiful, but she also knows how to bring people into the present moment and help them let go of their anxiety.

Ji Su steps back to remain friends with Ui Yeong

Love triangles almost always mean one of the love interests is going to get their heart broken. So when Ui Yeong finally rejects Ji Su and officially starts dating Tae Seop, while painful, it’s something the audience has been anticipating for several weeks. And despite formerly competitive Tae Seop, Ji Su shows a more mature side in the recent episodes.

At first, when Ui Yeong visits his cafe with her colleague, instead of making the situation awkward, Ji Su assures her that they are simply friends again and that he will give her space to avoid awkwardness. Later, when Ji Su learns that Ui Yeong’s superior sent her on a blind date in hopes of securing a business deal, instead of rushing to the location to save her and be crowned the knight in shining armor, he calls Tae Seop and lets him handle the situation. While this action may seem like the bare minimum to some, it’s still heartfelt to see a man who was initially presented as almost bad boy-like show his mature side to maintain his newfound friendship with Ui Yeong.

One moment that made us feel emotional, although it didn’t make our hearts flutter, was when Son Jeong A (Moon Jung Hee), Ji Su’s stepmother, finally realizes that her marriage to Ji Su’s father, Shin Ji Hun (Choi won over Jong), is built on lies. After discovering that he started dating her while his now-deceased wife, Ji Su’s mother, was battling cancer, she filed for divorce. Hopefully, she will continue to emotionally support Ji Su, especially since his own father doesn’t seem interested in maintaining a healthy relationship with him.

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

Currently watching: “Love story in the 1970s” and “The Practical Guide to Love“
Looking forward to: “Four hands,” “Yumi’s cells 3,” and “Sold Out on You.”