Character Relationship Map: Re-encounter

Characters

• Hye-hwa (played by Yoo Da-in) — protagonist

  A resilient young woman who becomes pregnant as a teenager. After her boyfriend disappears, she spends five years grooming abandoned dogs and caring for her widowed boss's son. Upon re-encountering he...

• Han-soo (played by Yoo Yeon-seok) — supporting

  Hye-hwa's former boyfriend who abruptly disappears and is exiled to Canada by his mother. Five years later, he reunites with Hye-hwa, revealing that their daughter was secretly adopted by their grandm...

• Na-yeon (played by Choi Hee-won) — supporting

  Na-yeon is a child who grows close to Hye-hwa through shared meals, quiet moments, and Hye-hwa's care. Hye-hwa helps her learn to use chopsticks, takes her to school, and asks whether she will remembe...

• Han-soo's Mother (played by Kil Hae-yeon) — supporting

  Han-soo's mother sent him to Canada without explanation, separating him from Hye-hwa and contributing to the couple's painful history. Her actions indirectly shape their later reunion and unsettled re...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Han-soo's Mother → Han-soo (mother)
• Han-soo → Na-yeon (Family Father And Daughter) — The supplied character profile establishes Han-soo as Na-yeon's father, though the plot reference does not describe a direct interaction between them.

  The character profile says that Hye-hwa and Han-soo's daughter is alive and that Han-soo collaborates with Hye-hwa to locate the child; Na-yeon is the...

• Hye-hwa → Na-yeon (Family Mother And Daughter) — Hye-hwa cares for Na-yeon, grows close to her, and faces an uncertain reunion when Na-yeon refuses to go home.

  At the end, Hye-hwa is directly identified and Na-yeon calls out to her as “Mommy.” The character profile also says Hye-hwa and Han-soo's daughter is...

• Hye-hwa → Han-soo (Romantic Former Lovers) — Their past relationship and unresolved trust shape Hye-hwa's family history and uncertain future.

  The plot describes Hye-hwa's relationship with Han-soo as entangled with painful family history, and the character profile identifies him as her forme...

Story Analysis

Hye-hwa's care for abandoned animals and her growing bond with Na-yeon reflect a story of separation, regret, and uncertain reunion.

Plot Progression

1. The Work of Caring — Hye-hwa takes in a frightened abandoned dog and cares for it with her other dogs. Medical needs and a pregnancy among the dogs raise questions about responsibility and adoption.
2. Origins and Old Hurt — The dogs' uncertain parentage brings Hye-hwa's own questions about her origins to mind. Her history with Han-soo is connected to painful family events.
3. Loss and Unsettled Trust — Hye-hwa faces pregnancy and the loss of a baby born with a weak heart. People try to comfort those affected, but trust and the couple's future remain unresolved.
4. Closeness and Parting — Hye-hwa shares meals and quiet moments with Na-yeon, helping her learn everyday skills. As a possible parting approaches, Hye-hwa promises to meet her again and to remember her.
5. An Uncertain Reunion — Na-yeon calls Hye-hwa “Mommy,” confirming the emotional bond between them. When Na-yeon refuses to go home, their next steps remain uncertain.