DNA Lover- Episode 3

The Indecent Octopus Tentacles Gene

Episode 3 takes us right back into the action, as So-jin and Yeon-u plummet from the rooftop. Even in this intense, life-or-death moment, So-jin can’t help but be captivated by Yeon-u’s scent. They land safely on the inflatable bag below, with Gang-hun rushing to their aid. As he checks on both, an unexpected connection is revealed—Yeon-u and Gang-hun already know each other.

Despite the scare, both So-jin and Yeon-u insist they're fine. Yeon-u hurries off to tend to Yoo-young, while So-jin retreats to her favorite park to drink away her memories of her father. Gang-hun follows, and in a raw, emotional conversation, they both confront the trauma of her father’s death. So-jin carries guilt for noticing the signs of her father's depression but doing nothing. Shockingly, it’s revealed that she and So-ri are sisters, their family having shattered long before their father’s passing. Meanwhile, Gang-hun blames himself for failing to save her father, even though he was one of the paramedics on the scene that day.

While So-jin grapples with her past, Yeon-u is dealing with his own turmoil—struggling with back pain and wondering why So-jin’s words stuck with him as he tried to comfort Yoo-young. Meanwhile, his doctor friend becomes infatuated with Sung-mi and, unable to get her out of his mind, joins the gym just to be closer to her.

So-jin, however, can’t stop thinking about Yeon-u’s scent, convinced there’s something deeper behind her attraction. She embarks on a mission to secretly test his DNA, starting with a plan to steal some of his sweat. After a failed attempt at his favorite restaurant, she convinces Gang-hun to invite Yeon-u to a friendly basketball game at the hospital. So-jin tags along, seizing the opportunity to swipe Yeon-u’s jersey. Although he notices, he lets it slide, curious about her intentions. So-jin’s suspicions are confirmed—she’s truly drawn to his scent, though her friend A-ri has a completely opposite reaction, comparing it to a sewer.

Meanwhile, Yeon-u’s curiosity about So-jin grows. During a dinner with Mi-eun, he reflects on Myeong Hui’s strained relationship with her daughters, So-jin and So-ri, and seems to relate to the idea of cutting ties with family. Back at the hospital, So-jin’s increasingly erratic behavior distracts him, and when his friends invite So-jin and Gang-hun to dinner, an awkward debate over octopus leads to a choking incident that brings Yeon-u to her rescue.

Afterward, Yeon-u confronts So-jin about the stolen jersey. Her answer—she wanted to understand why she found his scent so attractive—leaves him both flattered and intrigued. But before things get too heated, Gang-hun interrupts, giving So-jin an escape.

In the days that follow, So-jin agonizes over asking Yeon-u for consent to run the DNA test for the "cheating gene." When she finally works up the courage, Yeon-u refuses, insisting that this isn't how two people should get to know each other. His refusal only deepens the tension between them, as both are clearly drawn to one another but unsure of how to move forward.

In a twist of fate, Gang-hun and Sung-mi stumble upon an apartment fire—Mi-eun’s apartment, no less—and Gang-hun earns Mi-eun's admiration by saving her life.

As the episode reaches its emotional peak, So-jin, So-ri, and their estranged mother, Myeong Hui, gather for a tense dinner in tribute to their father. The gathering erupts into a fiery argument, with the family blaming one another for their father’s downfall and eventual suicide. The explosive confrontation spills out into the restaurant, and Yeon-u, who’s nearby, overhears everything.

Unable to ignore her pain any longer, Yeon-u follows So-jin outside after she storms out. Though he tries to keep his distance, he’s drawn to her vulnerability as she vents about love’s cruelty, particularly the pain of unrequited love. In a moment of unexpected intimacy, Yeon-u finally consents to the DNA test, leaving So-jin overjoyed.

But the final twist? In her excitement, she accidentally took Gang-hun’s jersey. The results reveal a shocking discovery—what she thought was Yeon-u’s "cheating gene" may not belong to him at all!

DramaZen's Opinion

Myeong Hui's bitterness has poisoned her entire family, making her a truly toxic presence. She resents how her life turned out, and instead of taking responsibility, she cruelly lashes out at her children and husband, blaming them for her unhappiness. The words she throws at So-jin are especially devastating, leaving her daughter shattered by the realization that her own mother sees her as an enemy—a weapon forged against her. The idea that your mother hates your very existence is a heart-wrenching truth for So-jin to confront.

Meanwhile, Yeon-u can no longer deny it—he’s falling for So-jin. Though he’s playing it cool and letting her make the next move, he’s acutely aware of his growing feelings. But with the latest twist, is So-jin starting to lose interest in him? And the real question: is she now drawn to both Yeon-u and Gang-hun’s scents? Could she possibly be attracted to them both at the same time?

And then there's the mystery of Gang-hun. He supposedly has the highest level of the "cheating gene," yet he's far from being a player. Has the gene simply been lying dormant all this time? What will it take to awaken it—and when it does, what chaos might follow? With so many questions hanging in the air, the tension between these characters is reaching a boiling point, leaving readers wondering what will unravel next.