Brewing Love- Episodes 3-4
Episode 3 Recap: Tensions Rise, Secrets Unfold, and Sparks Fly
Episode 3 of Brewing Love dives deeper into the complex dynamic between Min-ju and Yong-ju, blending heartfelt revelations, comedic antics, and the brewing storm of village drama.
A New Role for Yong-ju
The episode begins with Min-ju discovering Yong-ju working in the fields, impressing the older women with her competence and determination. Their persistent lobbying convinces Min-ju to allow her to stay on as a part-timer, much to Yong-ju’s satisfaction. Back in Seoul, a star-struck Chan-hwi encounters Ah-reum, whose refined demeanor and presence leave him awestruck.
As Yong-ju continues her work, she starts to observe Min-ju’s quiet acts of kindness. During lunch, the older women invite her to a small shed, which she’s surprised to find fully furnished—courtesy of Min-ju, who had it built to ensure their comfort. It’s moments like these that begin to unravel the layers of his character.
The Spark of Connection
Meanwhile, Ah-reum finds herself drawn to the smell of Chan-hwi’s toasted sandwiches during her lunch break. When she tries one, she’s unexpectedly delighted, showcasing a lighter, more relatable side of her personality.
Back at the fields, Min-ju offers Yong-ju coffee and a cream bun while joining her in her work. In a touching moment, he ties her hair for her, revealing a quick flashback where he had noticed her mentioning these simple preferences. Just as a tender moment seems to bloom, the older women walk in and begin teasing the two. Embarrassed, Min-ju snaps back into his usual aloofness and orders Yong-ju to leave.
Yong-ju’s Resilience
Unfazed, Yong-ju heads to the Uilhan Pub, where she drinks all ten liters of Naro Beer. The pub owner—the ever-involved village chief—calls Min-ju when Yong-ju becomes tipsy and begins talking about saving her colleagues. Min-ju overhears her heartfelt determination and takes matters into his own hands. When she eventually dozes off, he ties her to his back and bikes her back to the brewery, a scene equal parts humorous and sweet.
Village Schemes and Unspoken Truths
With the beer festival fast approaching, the townspeople are hard at work preparing, and Jjuan and her husband return from Vietnam to join in. The two older women hatch a plot to push Yong-ju and Min-ju together, sending her into the woods to gather ragwort and falsely claiming she’s lost. A panicked Min-ju searches until nightfall, only to find Yong-ju sitting calmly by an abandoned shed. Her phone had died, and she decided to stay overnight.
In the stillness of the night, Yong-ju demands to know why Min-ju seemingly hates her. His response is a revelation: he doesn’t hate her. Instead, she reminds him of the idealized son his father always wanted—a role he could never fulfill. Flashbacks reveal how Min-ju’s hypersensitivity to emotions was exploited by others, leading him to retreat into isolation. His late mother had been his only refuge, and her death left him feeling unmoored. He recounts how, six years ago, someone saved him from an accident, advising him to “block out the bad” to protect himself.
The honesty of their conversation strikes a chord with Yong-ju, who reflects on the struggles of those unable to shield themselves. Her own emotions bubble to the surface, and Min-ju gently urges her to stop suppressing her feelings. When she falls asleep leaning against him, he quietly lets her rest on his shoulder, a rare moment of vulnerability shared between them.
A Brewing Storm
Morning brings a jarring shift. Yong-ju chastises herself for letting her guard down while Min-ju remains quietly contemplative. Meanwhile, Ah-reum’s subplot thickens as her matchmaking journey continues. A marriage counselor upgrades her to an A-minus match due to her parents’ professions (a cryptocurrency trader and real estate agent), but she remains unsatisfied. In her bid to advance her goals, she rallies the villagers and convinces them that Jisang’s acquisition of Naro Beer could bring financial windfalls. Her words inadvertently sow suspicion, leading the villagers to believe that Yong-ju plans to steal Min-ju away and abandon their beloved brewery.
When Yong-ju and Min-ju return from the woods, they’re met with a shocking display of hostility—the villagers throw salt at Yong-ju, a symbolic rejection. In a powerful moment, Min-ju steps forward to shield her, taking a stand against the villagers’ misplaced anger.
Episode 4 Recap: Brewing Bonds, Unveiling Truths, and Romantic Sparks
Episode 4 of Brewing Love is a whirlwind of emotions, conflicts, and pivotal moments, as tensions between Yong-ju, Min-ju, and the villagers escalate, but so do the connections forming between the leads.
The Fallout: Min-ju Takes a Stand
The episode kicks off with Min-ju stepping between Yong-ju and the enraged villagers. When he uncovers Jisang’s role in the misunderstanding, he demands both Yong-ju and Ah-reum leave the village. However, the confrontation doesn’t end there.
Min-ju later finds himself brushing salt off Yong-ju—until she stops him, unwilling to let him take care of her. Instead, he invites her to his place, where she showers, has a lighthearted chat with his cat, and finds him back at the brewery. There, Min-ju confesses why the villagers mean so much to him.
A flashback takes us four years into the past, showing a younger Min-ju arriving in Baegok-ri and starting his beer business with the villagers’ help. Their shared efforts helped the brewery thrive, and Min-ju’s loyalty to them is deeply rooted in their support. As he recounts this, the beer festival kicks off, setting the stage for further drama.
The Brewing Conflict
Yong-ju confronts Ah-reum, accusing her of withholding critical details from the villagers. If Jisang merges with Naro, the villagers could lose ownership of their beloved beer and festival, with no guarantee of continued employment. This revelation sets Yong-ju firmly on the side of protecting the villagers, further complicating her mission.
At the festival, a logistical disaster strikes when the village chief mistakenly orders beer for the wrong date. Min-ju steps up, offering to bring out all his stock, while Ah-reum and Chan-hwi volunteer to assist. Yong-ju, however, has a bolder plan. She enlists Beom to secure a large truckload of beer. But fate intervenes—a car accident blocks the road, forcing them to halt.
Undeterred, Yong-ju calls on a trusted wholesaler and the Jisang chairman for assistance. After ensuring the injured passengers are sent to safety, the chairman delivers the needed beer. Yong-ju and Beom arrive at the festival just in time with reinforcements.
A Revelation and a Decision
As the festival proceeds, Chan-hwi inadvertently spills the beans: Yong-ju’s true motivation for pursuing Min-ju is to save the Busan branch. Ah-reum seizes the moment to cast doubt on Yong-ju’s intentions, but Yong-ju bravely owns up. She admits her goals but assures everyone she would never exploit Min-ju or the villagers to achieve them.
This honesty strikes a chord with Min-ju. As Yong-ju arrives with the beer, he makes a bold declaration—he’s signing with her. In a heartfelt moment, he tells her he never doubted her sincerity. Meanwhile, a dejected Ah-reum begins to walk away, only to be stopped by Chan-hwi, who offers her a toasted sandwich. She accepts, hinting at a softer side to their dynamic.
A Night of Reflection
The festival becomes a roaring success, and Min-ju pays Yong-ju for her part-time work. Their conversation takes a philosophical turn as Min-ju compares beer to people, musing about how much harsher society judges humans. As they talk, he’s startled by how deeply Yong-ju seems to understand him. Later, inside his home, Min-ju hears Yong-ju singing outside—a simple, heartwarming moment that brings a smile to his face.
A New Chapter in Seoul
The next day, Min-ju is driving to Seoul to finalize his partnership with Jisang, but his anxiety creeps in. Yong-ju sends him a video of festival attendees praising his beer, along with encouraging messages that help calm his nerves.
When he arrives at Jisang’s office, Min-ju is surprised to find that Yong-ju has already assembled a team for him, including Ah-reum, her colleague, and Beom. They sign the contract and tour the company’s factory, marking a fresh start for Min-ju in the corporate world.
Bonds and Rivalries
The new team goes out for dinner, where Ra-oh challenges Min-ju to a taste test. Min-ju’s hypersensitivity shines as he flawlessly identifies all ten beers, impressing his teammates. Yong-ju calls his ability a gift, further cementing her admiration for him.
Meanwhile, Beom’s competitive streak flares as he continuously loses to Chan-hwi in various challenges, leaving him frustrated. After dinner, Yong-ju notices a bruise on Beom’s forehead and tends to it, sparking Min-ju’s realization that Beom might have feelings for her. Empathic as ever, Min-ju reminds himself that Beom’s emotions aren’t his to own—but as rain begins to fall and Yong-ju runs toward him, he wonders if the emotions stirring in his chest might actually be his own.
DramaZen's Opinion
After the team dinner, Min-ju can’t help but notice that Yong-joo’s hoobae (Beom) has a crush on her. As the ever-perceptive empath, Min-ju immediately starts feeling all the things—but firmly reminds himself: Those emotions aren’t mine. Except… are they? Cue the classic K-drama Rain of Romance™, as Yong-joo jogs toward him in dreamy slo-mo, completely unaware of the existential crisis unfolding in Min-ju’s mind. “Could these emotions be mine?” he wonders. Spoiler alert, Min-ju: Yes, they’re absolutely yours.
With that, Min-ju officially joins the illustrious ranks of K-drama men who fall first—and honestly, who can blame him? Yong-joo doesn’t just understand him; she values his hypersensitivity, calling it a gift rather than a flaw. For someone as guarded as Min-ju, having someone like Yong-joo to lean on has to be as refreshing as a cold pint of Naro Beer on a summer day. He’s opened up to her more than anyone else, and you can’t blame the guy for catching feelings. Now, wouldn’t it be great if Yong-joo could reciprocate by finally letting down her walls before she implodes from emotional repression?
Not everything is smooth sailing, though. The second female lead (SFL) feels a little too scheming for my liking—pressure or not, her tactics are shady. And the villagers? Tossing salt at Yong-joo was downright wild. But I’ve got to admit, the second male lead (SML) is growing on me! (Also, can we talk about how delicious that toast looked? If Chan-hwi’s food truck ever comes near my office, I’m first in line.)
Even the matchmaking ajummas had me chuckling with their playful antics, despite their meddlesome ways. They might just be rooting for JooJoo (Min-ju + Yong-joo), and honestly? Same.
Final Thoughts: All Aboard the JooJoo Ship
Between Min-ju’s gentle awakening to love, Yong-joo’s unconscious steps toward reciprocity, and their effortless mutual support, Brewing Love is shaping up to be an emotionally satisfying rom-com. This ship is sailing, folks, and I’m fully on board. Plus, can we all agree? JooJoo is an amazing ship name.
