On May 17 and 18, Netflix unveiled the 9th and 10th episodes of Heavenly Ever After, which delve deeper into the enigmatic connections surrounding Somi and Nak-jun, ultimately revealing that the pastor is actually Hae-suk’s son. The plot thickens as the narrative begins with Somi grappling with her disdain for a certain elderly man, who is unveiled to be Jeong-gu, linking him to Nak-jun in unexpected ways.
Nak-jun confronts Jeong-gu about his perceived betrayal, hinting at a troubled history between them. Before any explanations can unfold, tragedy strikes as Jeong-gu is abruptly hit by a truck, leading to his instantaneous death. His spirit, consumed by rage, accuses Nak-jun of being the catalyst for his demise. In a moment of escalating tension, Somi finds herself transforming into a monstrous figure, her skin darkening as she grips Jeong-gu fiercely.
As a grim reaper appears, threatening to erase her, Nak-jun’s voice breaks through, urging Somi to regain her composure. The reaper warns that missing the spiritual train could have dire consequences.
In the afterlife, Somi expresses her regret, explaining that her outburst stemmed from witnessing Jeong-gu attack Nak-jun. Nak-jun listens attentively, remaining silent. The following day, a palpable tension persists at breakfast among the three of them—Somi, Nak-jun, and Hae-suk—before Somi and Nak-jun slip away, leaving Hae-suk feeling uneasy. Meanwhile, Young-ae catches a brief glimpse of her abusive father as he passes by, sensing an unsettling aura surrounding him.
Subsequently, a conversation between Somi and Nak-jun regarding the old man leads to vague allusions to a shared troubling past. Just as Somi gathers the courage to reveal something significant, the scene cuts away. Later, Hae-suk encounters the pastor during her church duties. Sensing his discomfort, she encourages him to share over a meal.
He opens up about his longstanding abandonment issues and his struggle with trust. His prayer for peace reveals that adding “Amen” signifies a connection to the Heavenly Ever After.
Unveiling Family Ties: Episode 9’s Revelation
On Earth, Nak-jun confesses his guilt over keeping secrets from Hae-suk, prompting Somi to cryptically hint at something important before the scene abruptly changes. Meanwhile, Hae-suk envisions a connection between Nak-jun and Somi, which adds more weight to her already complicated emotional landscape.
Later that evening, Young-ae confides her feelings toward the Heaven president to Somi while imploring her not to fall for Nak-jun, assuring her of loyalty to Hae-suk. She shares her deep affection for her adoptive mother, revealing the pains of her past. In a show of camaraderie, Somi reassures Young-ae that she will protect Hae-suk.
The next day, Jjajang and Jjamppong spend the day engaged in prayer, only to be reprimanded by the Heaven director for their frivolous requests. In an unexpected twist, Jjajang unknowingly includes Jjamppong’s name in a job prayer, leading to a sudden offer for both to work in the underworld—a job they embrace with delight.
Meanwhile, Young-ae’s father frantically searches for her and is intercepted by the Heaven director, who informs him that he is to endure an eternity seeking her forgiveness. Upon encountering her, Young-ae flees in fear but is soon comforted by Hae-suk, who steps in protectively. In a bold move, Young-ae confronts her father, bringing him to the main office, where they discover a shocking truth: they were married in a past life and are Hae-suk’s biological parents.
After abandoning their child and passing too soon, they reincarnate to seek redemption. Young-ae successfully reconciles her role as Hae-suk’s beloved daughter while her father grapples with the failures of both lifetimes, ultimately cursed to be rejected by his two daughters. With a powerful act of forgiveness, Young-ae breaks the cycle, spending a tender moment with Hae-suk as they watch the sunrise together. Though Young-ae conceals her past, Hae-suk expresses gratitude for her though unknown to her, wishing to reunite in a future life. Young-ae softly calls her “Mom” before disappearing, her soul prepared for rebirth.
In a shocking twist, it’s revealed that Young-ae has been in a three-month coma, awakening emotionally in a hospital. The director reassures Hae-suk that Young-ae was indeed her true mother. Meanwhile, the pastor experiences an awakening as he realizes the motherly love he has long sought is embodied in Hae-suk. At a church service, he calls her “Mom,” leading to an emotional climax as Somi jolts from sleep, crying out for her son, revealing the name Eun-ho.
Conjecture Surrounding Eun-ho in Episode 10
Episode 10 begins with Nak-jun reflecting on a fraught moment from his past encounter with Jeong-gu. Somi, meanwhile, ponders her relationship with Nak-jun and yearns for connection. The following morning, she hears the name “Eun-ho” whispered—a name that penetrates Nak-jun’s calm exterior, prompting urgent inquiry about its origins. Somi expresses her inability to recall specifics, further stirring Nak-jun’s unease.
The next day at church, Hae-suk finds herself amidst a poignant moment with the pastor, who again refers to her as “Mom,” yet she gently clarifies that she and Nak-jun have no biological children.
Meanwhile, Jjajang and Jjamppong embrace their new roles in the underworld, meeting King Namra, eager to receive recompense for their past mistreatment. Back at home, Hae-suk feels the void left by Young-ae while Nak-jun attempts to lend comfort. Somi, through a critical memory flash, recalls intimate moments with Eun-ho, realizing her connection to Nak-jun runs deeper than anticipated.
As the confrontation escalates with Nak-jun denying the implications of her revelations, Somi retaliates by throwing a cup at him and fleeing in distress.
The Heaven Lottery Festival Commences
The festival begins with both the pastor and Hae-suk, where they must hunt for hidden keys in Heaven—only six contestants who find golden plates in the boxes will advance. Somi remains emotionally detached from the festival, still reeling from her clash with Nak-jun.
While Hae-suk expresses her desire to reconnect with Young-ae through dreams during a cooking session at home, she also begins her key search at the Support Centre, attempting to glean insight into their spiritual quest. Somi, continuing her introspective journey, recalls moments of intimacy shared with Nak-jun.
Seeking clarity, she reaches out to him, but his evasiveness only deepens her frustration. As the race for keys heats up, Hae-suk’s narrative emerges, revealing her tumultuous childhood filled with longing for maternal affection. Unbeknownst to her, the crowd remains unmoved until she recounts the pastor’s tragic backstory, opting to portray herself as a mother figure—striking a chord with the audience.
This emotional shift leads to a heartfelt embrace between Hae-suk and the pastor, culminating in uproarious support from the crowd as they sympathize with their intertwined fates. The episode closes with tensions around Hae-suk’s eligibility for the contest, yet she is affirmed for her honesty in storytelling.
As the countdown to the highly anticipated finale approaches, viewers can expect the final episode of Heavenly Ever After on May 25 on Netflix, while Korean audiences can catch the series on JTBC.