Breaking Down the Twisted Ending of Dear X

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Since it premiered in early November, the Korean drama Dear X has captivated viewers with its suspenseful story about actress Baek Ah-jin (played by Kim Yoo-jung of My Demon). The show follows Ah-jin’s ambitious climb to the top of the entertainment industry, where she uses charm and manipulation, and doesn’t hesitate to hurt others along the way. Based on a popular webtoon by Vanziun, Dear X is directed by Lee Eung-bok (with Park So-hyun), known for directing hit Korean dramas like Goblin, Mr. Sunshine, and Sweet Home.

The 12-episode K-drama Dear X has finished its run. While the ending took some liberties with the original story, it still had significant repercussions for the character Ah-jin. According to Lee, the director, the live-action performances added emotional resonance, and the adult storyline was created specifically for the drama to evoke a complex range of feelings from the audience – sometimes sympathy for Ah-jin, and other times sadness or conflict. But did this popular drama manage to deliver a satisfying conclusion? Let’s examine how Dear X reached its surprising ending.

What happens in Dear X?

“Dear X” tells the story of Baek Ah-jin, who overcomes a difficult and abusive childhood to become a famous actress in Korea. The series is divided into three heartbreaking parts. The first explores Ah-jin’s early life, including the murder of her father. The second focuses on her beginnings as an actress and the tragic suicide of her actor boyfriend, Heo In-gang (played by Hwang In-youp of “Family By Choice”). The final part details her struggles and ultimate downfall, which leads to the deaths of those closest to her: her childhood friend Kim Jae-oh (Kim Do-hoon from “Love Scout”) and her former stepbrother, Yun Jun-seo (Kim Young-dae).

The Korean drama Dear X stands out because it doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh side of its main character, a complex anti-heroine. For much of the series, it cleverly creates a situation where viewers feel sympathy for both the character and those she hurts, intentionally leaving them unsure whether to support her or not.

Early in the series, it’s easier to feel sorry for Ah-jin as she struggles to break free from her difficult life. While she does harm others, those people aren’t presented as particularly good, and Ah-jin herself is a victim of abuse and poverty, leaving her with very little power. Although her actions are clearly wrong, it’s understandable why a viewer might excuse them, given her circumstances.

As Ah-jin’s story unfolds, she becomes more successful and wealthy, which ironically makes the people she hurts seem more like victims. One of them is In-gang, an actor she dates for over a year to boost her career. He genuinely falls in love with her, even though he has a bad feeling about the relationship. He welcomes her into his family and even plans to give up acting to marry her.

I was really gripped by the middle part of Dear X. It felt like Ah-jin was finally on the verge of changing, of choosing a happier life with love instead of always chasing power and shutting herself off. But then In-gang’s mother, who was so kind to her, passed away unexpectedly, and it just crushed Ah-jin’s hope for a normal life. It was heartbreaking to watch her push In-gang away so harshly, and even more devastating when he took his own life. She didn’t even go to his funeral. It’s awful, but it really showed how quickly she discards people once they no longer serve her purpose.

Dear X‘s ending, explained

The third act of Dear X’s is the weakest part of the series. Although the story still manages to create emotional weight and explore difficult ethical questions, it suffers from a poorly developed villain, Moon Do-hyeok (Hong Jong-hyun), who becomes obsessed with Ah-jin. After In-gang’s suicide causes Ah-jin to be fired from her agency, Do-hyeok attempts to rescue her, offering her a job and proposing marriage.

Ah-jin surprisingly marries Do-hyeok, leaving Jun-seo feeling abandoned. He’s already struggling with his grandfather’s recent death and learning he was adopted, and this feels like another loss. To make matters worse, he previously donated a kidney to his mother, who doesn’t seem to appreciate it. Having been close to Ah-jin since childhood, after they bonded over difficult family situations, Jun-seo is finally realizing that she will always prioritize her own ambitions, even if it means leaving him behind.

Lee explained that the series, Dear X, started with a compelling question: ‘Why are we drawn to people who aren’t good for us?’ This theme was particularly evident in a line from the character Jun-seo – ‘Why do I love someone so cruel?’ – which deeply affected Lee. While the core story and characters remain true to the original webtoon, the series delves deeper into the characters’ psychology and expands the stories of those around them.

Initially, Ah-jin enjoys the luxurious life she’s gained through her marriage, feeling she’s earned it after years of hardship. Her husband even uses his wealth to help her land a desired acting role. But this contentment doesn’t last. She soon discovers her husband is constantly watching her, and she starts experiencing memory loss. When she finds out his former wife is in a mental institution, Ah-jin begins to believe her husband is deliberately driving her to the point of a breakdown, perhaps even enjoying it.

Jae-oh has become Ah-jin’s most devoted supporter, and he’s willing to die for her. As a teenager, Ah-jin was the first person to make Jae-oh feel valued, and he’s spent years trying to earn her approval. Realizing that defeating the formidable Do-hyeok will be incredibly difficult, Jae-oh intentionally antagonizes Ah-jin’s husband, hoping to be killed by his men. He even sets up cameras to document his own death. Ah-jin is aware of his plan and allows it to happen, accepting Jae-oh’s ultimate sacrifice.

After Jae-oh’s death, Jun-seo finally accepts that Ah-jin won’t change her manipulative ways. He decides to help a TV producer reveal her behavior to the public, believing it’s the only way to protect both Ah-jin and others. The story airs on television the same night Ah-jin wins a prestigious Blue Dragon award for her acting.

Ah-jin has lost everything, and Jun-seo remains by her side, trying to help her rebuild. He drives her away, promising to stay with her no matter what. In a shocking turn, he declares his love for her and then intentionally drives their car off a cliff. While Ah-jin survives, she leaves Jun-seo, who is still alive, trapped inside the wreckage. She no longer sees him as a lover or someone to care for, but as a reminder of the abuse she’s trying to escape. Ah-jin chooses to save herself and begins to move forward, leaving Jun-seo to face the consequences of his actions.

Does Ah-jin get a happy ending?

It’s hard to see a positive future for Ah-jin. She deeply desires the stability she missed out on as a child, but keeps repeating self-destructive patterns. She struggles to build healthy relationships, which are essential for feeling emotionally safe. Even when opportunities for connection arise, she can’t seem to embrace them, clinging instead to the survival strategies she learned during a difficult childhood. It’s a deeply sad situation.

How is Dear X’s ending different from the webtoon?

The story closely followed the original webtoon until the very end. In the webtoon, Ah-jin becomes pregnant with Jun-seo’s child and then uses the pregnancy to persuade Do-hyeok to marry her – he’s unable to have children with his previous wife. This betrayal is the final push for Jun-seo, and he decides to help reveal the truth.

After a scandal from her past is revealed, Ah-jin attempts suicide, but Jae-oh intervenes, and the two of them flee to Hong Kong. They start a new life together, opening a bar and raising their child. However, Ah-jin later leaves Jae-oh and their child to marry a wealthy man. His child resents Ah-jin, and eventually pushes her down the stairs, causing severe facial injuries. After reconstructive surgery, Ah-jin returns to Hong Kong, hoping to see a reminder of her former appearance and reconnect with her child.

It seems Jun-seo has managed to rebuild his life and is still writing. But when Ah-jin came back to Korea with her child, I realized it wasn’t a happy reunion – it was her way of getting back at him for what he did. She told him she’d never let their child know who their father really was. It’s a different ending than the original story, but Ah-jin remains the same – fiercely ambitious. She’s determined to succeed, no matter who gets hurt along the way. She’ll do absolutely anything to reach the top.

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2025-12-05 02:07