Bitter Sweet Hell finally concluded its intense 12-episode run on June 29, 2024. This MBC drama revolves around the struggles of two mothers, No Yeong Won (played by Kim Hee Seon) and Hong Sa Gang (played by Lee Hye Young), as they try to protect their families from the disruptive influence of Lee Se Na (played by Yeon Woo). The series finale wrapped up several storylines, providing a mix of justice, tragedy, and new beginnings. Let’s dive into the key events and the fates of the main characters.
Oh Tae Hwan Faces Justice
Moon Tae Oh (Jung Gun Joo) In The Korean Drama Bitter Sweet Hell (Instagram.com/Mbcdrama_Now)
One of the central threads of Bitter Sweet Hell is the unraveling of Oh Tae Hwan’s (Jung Gun Joo) crimes. Initially, Oh Tae Hwan refuses to admit to any wrongdoing, but a clever trap set by Hong Sa Gang (Lee Hye Young) forces him to confess. She hints that the person who hit her had a distinctive smell, which triggers a furious reaction from Oh Tae Hwan, inadvertently revealing his guilt.
This moment of anger leads to the discovery that Oh Tae Hwan was behind the murder of An Yo Sub (Yang Jae Hyun), a bodyguard at Hong Sa Gang’s house. He also implicates Lee Se Na as the mastermind of the crime. The police then launch a manhunt for Lee Se Na.
Years later, Oh Tae Hwan is shown serving his prison sentence. No Yeong Won visits him, suggesting he continues his studies in Mathematics, hinting at a potential for redemption and personal growth even behind bars.
Lee Se Na’s Desperate End
Choi Do Hyun (Jae Chan) In The Korean Drama Bitter Sweet Hell (Instagram.com/Mbcdrama_Now)
Lee Se Na’s desperate attempts to escape justice lead to a tense confrontation. After kidnapping Do Hyun (Jae Chan) and holding him captive in her old house, she demands No Yeong Won to come to Hong Sa Gang’s villa. Hong Sa Gang wisely involves a private detective to analyze the situation, and they split up to search for Do Hyun.
Lee Se Na (Yeon Woo) In The Drama Bitter Sweet Hell (Instagram.com/Mbcdrama_Now)
No Yeong Won confronts Lee Se Na in a villa doused with petrol, ready to explode. Lee Se Na threatens to detonate a bomb where Do Hyun is held captive. No Yeong Won manages to grab the phone, but not before Lee Se Na triggers the explosion. Thankfully, Choi Jae Jin (Kim Nam Hee) arrives in time to inform them that Do Hyun is safe. Lee Se Na, overwhelmed by her circumstances, succumbs to the flames, ending her tragic life.
New Beginnings for Hong Sa Gang and No Yeong Won
Hong Sa Gang (Lee Hye Young) And No Yeong Won (Kim Hee Seon) In The Drama Bitter Sweet Hell (Instagram.com/Mbcdrama_Now)
In the aftermath, Hong Sa Gang decides to leave her past behind and move to the mountains with Park Kang Sung. She continues her work as a novelist, drawing inspiration from her real-life experiences depicted in Bitter Sweet Hell.
No Yeong Won and Choi Jae Jin, on the other hand, choose to part ways temporarily, focusing on their individual paths. No Yeong Won clears her father’s name and opens a café at the hospital, where she continues to work as a psychologist. Choi Jae Jin starts a shelter for abandoned animals, finding solace in his new mission.
Even though the series ends with the characters going their separate ways, Bitter Sweet Hell delivers a hopeful message. The drama shows that a good family life doesn’t have to be perfect. True happiness comes from acceptance and the willingness to move forward despite life’s imperfections.
