Character Relationship Map: Time

Characters

• Seh-hee (after surgery) (played by Sung Hyun-ah) — protagonist

  The surgically altered identity of the female lead, assumed under an alias to win back her partner. Her return triggers Ji-woo's renewed interest but deepens her own insecurities and self-loathing.

• Ji-woo (played by Ha Jung-woo) — protagonist

  A young husband with a wandering eye who becomes attracted to his partner's new, surgically changed identity. His reaction exacerbates his girlfriend's fears and ultimately prompts him to take drastic...

• Seh-hee (before surgery) (played by Park Ji-yeon) — supporting

  The original identity of the female lead, deeply insecure and jealous about her partner's lack of commitment. Her fear of being left drives her to leave without warning and undergo cosmetic surgery.

• Plastic Surgeon (played by Kim Sung-min) — supporting
• Ji-woo's Friend (played by Lim Hyun-sung) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Plastic Surgeon → Seh-hee (before surgery) (Professional Surgeon And Patient) — The surgeon is involved in Seh-hee's facial transformation and later encourages her to wait for Ji-woo.

  Ji-woo confronts the surgeon, blaming him for changing Seh-hee's face and asking what became of her. The doctor tells her to wait for Ji-woo to return...

• Plastic Surgeon → Ji-woo (Professional Surgeon And Patient) — The surgeon informs Ji-woo about his operation and recovery.

  The doctor explains that Ji-woo has undergone surgery himself and is still recovering.

• Seh-hee (after surgery) → Ji-woo (Romantic Unrecognized Former Lovers) — Their changed appearances bring them together again as apparent strangers, leaving their reunion unresolved.

  After the operation, Ji-woo approaches Seh-hee at the cafe without revealing his identity, and she does not recognize him. They recall the sculpture-p...

• Seh-hee (before surgery) → Ji-woo (Jealous Romantic Partners) — Seh-hee's insecurity and jealousy strain their relationship until she leaves, while Ji-woo remains heartbroken and unable to forget her.

  The plot says they have been together for two years and that Seh-hee fears Ji-woo will tire of her and become interested in other women. Their argumen...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Ji-woo's Friend → Ji-woo (friend)

Story Analysis

A strained romance becomes an unresolved reunion as both partners change their faces and encounter one another as apparent strangers.

Plot Progression

1. Jealousy and Disappearance — Seh-hee's fear that Ji-woo will lose interest fuels increasingly intense arguments. She disappears, leaving him heartbroken and unable to move on.
2. A New Companion and Old Love — Ji-woo spends time with a warm, attentive woman at a sculpture park. When she asks whether he still loves Seh-hee, he admits that he does, and Seh-hee's letter draws him toward a meeting.
3. The Missing Meeting — The woman confronts Ji-woo and their relationship falls apart. He goes to meet Seh-hee but cannot find her, then confronts the surgeon about her changed face and whereabouts.
4. A Changed Face and a Wait — The surgeon reveals that Ji-woo has also undergone surgery and is recovering. He tells Seh-hee that Ji-woo loves her and urges her to wait five months.
5. Strangers at the Cafe — After the operation, Ji-woo approaches Seh-hee at the cafe without disclosing his identity, and she does not recognize him. Their hints about the past and the sculpture-park photograph leave their reu...