Episode 12 of Our Universe begins with the family investigator telling Hyun-jin and Tae-hyung that she doesn't think they can provide a stable environment. Of course, the final decision will be taken at the court hearing. She gives them one final chance and says she will come home to take a closer look. Of course, Tae-hyung and Hyun-jin are quite upset at this development.
At BS Food, Se-yeon and her colleague meet with Tae-hyung and his colleague, asking them if they can move their next shoot up to the 20th of this month. That's the day the investigator will be coming home. Tae-hyung speaks about it to Hyun-jin, who tells him to go ahead and plan the shoot.
Do the authorities take Woo-joo away from Hyun-jin and Tae-hyung?
On the day of the visit, Tae-hyung heads out for work. Hyun-jin has made sure the apartment is spotless but a new problem arrives when Woo-joo develops a fever. She is searching for medicine and doesn't realise she had earlier left the front door open to air out the smell in the house. Unfortunately, Woo-joo walks outside and falls down the stairs.
Hyun-jin hears his cries and runs out and sees the family investigator holding Woo-joo, who has injuries on his face from the fall. She is furious and compares Hyun-jin's behaviour to abuse, calling her neglectful. She calls the authorities and has Woo-joo taken away for his own protection. Tae-hyung comes home late and the neighbours fill him in. He rushes over to child protective services and finds Hyun-jin in tears. She blames herself for everything.
The next day, Hyun-jin is miserable at home alone. Ms Park and Du-sik invite her home and Ms Park makes her eat some fruit. Hyun-jin says Woo-joo will be with a foster family for at least 72 hours. She now thinks she might not be good enough for Woo-joo. Ms Park hears her out and then consoles her. She reveals that Du-sik isn't her son but rather her son-in-law. Her daughter died of an illness and Du-sik moved into her house to support her and help her through the hard times. Ms Park tells her that it's not blood that makes the relationship but the love. And Hyun-jin has more than enough for Woo-joo.
Do Hyun-jin and Tae-hyung fight for Woo-joo?
They do indeed. When Tae-hyung returns from a store, they both go to the child protective services to provide some of Woo-joo's specific medicines, diapers, and toys. Tae-hyung later tells Hyun-jin to believe in the fact that he believes in her. He says they should fight for Woo-joo and both of them take steps to show the family investigator that accidents like this won't happen again, like installing a baby gate and a home camera.
Since Hyun-jin has been away from work, she calls Yoon-seong and tells him what's going on. That evening, Du-sik helps install the baby gate and Ji-hyun gives Hyun-jin a recording of their phone call, which proves Hyun-jin was looking for medicines when the accident with Woo-joo happened.
Does Woo-joo come back home to Hyun-jin and Tae-hyung?
When Yoon-seong learns what's happened with Woo-joo, he decides to help Hyun-jin. He speaks to a lawyer friend and gets a notarised petition in favour of Hyun-jin, even getting all of the neighbours to sign it. At CPS, the family investigator seems to reconsider things when she sees the petition.
Hyun-jin and Tae-hyung learn about the petition while at the police station, where the cop in charge tells them the whole thing will be concluded as a misunderstanding. Hyun-jin finally goes back to work. She wants to thank Yoon-seong but he's not in the office. Hyun-jin then gets a call — Woo-joo is coming back to them!
The family investigator drops Woo-joo home and takes note of all the new changes. She recalls all the statements given by the neighbours. A quick flashback shows that Tae-hyung sent her a photo album with pictures of all their happy memories. At present, the investigator takes her leave.
With Woo-joo back home, the family is complete again. Hyun-jin says it's time for her and Woo-joo to finally move into the master bedroom. She says it will be better for Woo-joo's play area and sleeping area to be separate. He asks her if she will be okay with that and Hyun-jin says that it's not as painful for her to go to the bedroom anymore. She now knows her memories with her sister live on within her.
Does the court allow Hyun-jin to be Woo-joo's guardian?
The court hearing takes place and the judge approves Hyun-jin as Woo-joo's official guardian! The neighbours celebrate with them and Tae-hyung treats everyone to lunch. At home, they set up the master bedroom. Tae-hyung suggests they take a family picture of the three of them and he and Hyun-jin exchange I-love-yous.
At BS Food, Yoon-seong takes up a work opportunity for which he will need to go to the US. After a meeting with the director, Yoon-seong meets Hyun-jin, who profusely thanks him for all his help. He tells her that he will be leaving in two weeks.
How does Our Universe end?
Our Universe ends with a big celebration. Hyun-jin realises it's Woo-joo's second birthday the following week. Tae-hyung wants it to be a big event and his friend, Ui-jun, finds a venue for it. Ms Park says she will cook food and Ji-hyun agrees to bake the cake.
After a lot of hard work, the day arrives and everyone, from the couple's work colleagues to their neighbours and even Yoon-seong, turns up to celebrate. Tae-hyung and Hyun-jin say a few words and thank everyone for their help. The episode ends with everyone celebrating, closing with a shot of Tae-hyung, Woo-joo, and Hyun-jin together as Ui-jun takes a picture of them.
The Episode Review
Our Universe Episode 12 is overall quite a lovely finale, even though the last-minute custody drama feels contrived and unnecessary. Hyun-jin leaving the front door wide open after caring for Woo-joo for so many months and after just recently losing him at a mall? Very hard to believe. It also just doesn't seem like something the Hyun-jin we know would do.
That said, though, the rest of the episode handles the issue fairly well. We get to see Hyun-jin and Tae-hyung support each other through a hard time and be there for each other. We also get to see all the neighbours come together and take a stand for the young couple. Would we have preferred to see more of Hyun-jin and Tae-hyung's new romance and their unique family dynamic? Definitely. Despite that, this storyline still works out in the end and makes for an appropriately sentimental finale.
There are some really heartwarming moments here, particularly the conversation between Hyun-jin and Ms Park where she reveals that Du-sik is really her son-in-law. Their story is touching to say the least and everything she says about family and love feels poignant. Yoon-seong gets one last chance to show up for Hyun-jin yet again, before heading out for a fresh start in the US, which feels like a positive conclusion to his story as well.
Like in any finale, it's quite fulfilling to watch everybody come together and Woo-joo's birthday offers the perfect excuse for this. The emotions, the uplifting conversations, and of course, all the cuteness from little Woo-joo make for a wholesome and heartfelt way to say goodbye to the show.
Episode Rating
3.5
Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
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