Episode 3 of Still Shining starts with Eun-a taking a part-time job at the hotel recommended by Seong-chan. After her first day, she returns home exhausted but tells Seong-chan that she still enjoyed working. He suggests that she apply for summer internships at the hotel.
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Over the weekend, Eun-a travels to Seoul to meet Tae-seo. During their time together, she tells him about her new job and the internship Seong-chan recommended.
She explains that interns live in a separate dorm and shares details about her current role at the hotel. Eun-a also says she hopes to join a department where she can use her skills properly.
After their meal, Tae-seo walks her to the bus stop as she prepares to return home. Before she leaves, he promises to visit her again the following weekend.
The next weekend, Eun-a comes home from work completely worn out. She still prepares to see Tae-seo, who sneaks into her room again. Seong-chan notices Tae-seo entering the house and looks clearly upset.
Inside, So-hyeon asks Seong-chan to take a meal to Eun-a, but he tells her to do it herself.
As she approaches Eun-a's room, So-hyeon hears Tae-seo's voice and demands that the door be opened. Tae-seo admits that he and Eun-a are dating and apologises for sneaking into the house.
Eun-a, however, becomes irritated with So-hyeon for interfering and acting like a parent.
Later that night, Eun-a and Tae-seo talk about their future. Eun-a confesses that the tension within her family often makes her unhappy. Tae-seo tries to comfort her and encourages her to focus on the present instead of overthinking.
At the same time, Tae-seo's senior approaches him about joining a research project after graduation. Tae-seo explains that he is certain about his plans and would rather take a job immediately after finishing university.
Meanwhile, Eun-a plans another meeting with Tae-seo for the coming Saturday. Tae-seo checks his schedule and realises he has a self-study session that day. He shifts it to Sunday and confirms the plan with Eun-a.
However, Seong-chan soon calls about a new opportunity at the hotel. He asks her to meet Yun Da-jeong, the VIP hall manager who is offering her a position in that department.
When Eun-a meets Yun Da-jeong, the manager asks her to come to work on the same day she had planned to meet Tae-seo. Without thinking much, Eun-a agrees. Only later does she remember that she already had plans with him.
Meanwhile, Tae-seo clears his schedule so he can spend time with her. He cancels several tutoring sessions, which annoys the parents of his students since the exams are approaching.
That night, Tae-seo is at his friend Hyeong-seok's tutoring centre when he runs into Im A-sol, a strict and rule-following student. While Tae-seo tries to nap, A-sol complains to Hyeong-seok about someone taking a seat she had reserved.
Later that evening, Tae-seo is tutoring another student whose parent asks him to take an extra class on the same day as his planned date. Tae-seo refuses at first.
Just then, Eun-a messages him to say that she has to work that day. Frustrated that their plans have fallen through again, Tae-seo agrees to take the extra tutoring session.
On his way back to his dorm, Hui-seo calls and reminds him to study hard since their grandparents are supporting them and working hard for their future.
Over the next few weeks, Tae-seo spends most of his time studying or tutoring students. Eun-a also throws herself into her work and gradually becomes more confident in managing hotel guests.
After finishing his final exams, Tae-seo texts Eun-a to say that he will visit her at the hotel. Eun-a replies that she does not have much free time but agrees to meet him during her lunch break.
Tae-seo arrives early and waits, but Eun-a is delayed while talking to her colleagues. Because she is still wearing her uniform, she is also restricted from interacting with guests in public areas.
During their brief meeting, Tae-seo tells Eun-a that he will remain in town over the summer break and hopes they can spend more time together. Shortly after, Seong-chan approaches Eun-a and questions her about meeting Tae-seo while she is in uniform.
When Tae-seo leaves, Eun-a runs after him to apologise for not being able to spend more time together. She rushes back to work while Tae-seo boards the bus to return to Seoul.
On the bus, Tae-seo notices his grandmother struggling with her luggage and prepares to get off to help her. Before he can do so, his grandfather arrives and assists her instead. Watching the moment from inside the bus, Tae-seo gets teary-eyed.
Back in Seoul, Tae-seo speaks again with his senior about the research project. He explains that he does not want to continue studying and prefers to start earning money as soon as possible.
One evening, Eun-a tells Seon-gyu and So-hyeon that she plans to move into the dormitory once her internship begins. Although Seon-gyu is saddened by the decision, he gives her the space she needs as she prepares to leave.
The following morning, Eun-a asks her father to take care of himself. Before leaving, she also asks So-hyeon to look after him while she is gone. Eun-a settles into the dormitory while Tae-seo returns to his grandparents' house.
Expecting to meet her after work, he spends the day helping his grandfather with small chores around the house. Since he does not know that Eun-a has moved into the dorm, he waits for her to come home.
Eventually, Tae-seo calls Eun-a, and she tells him the truth. When they meet, the conversation becomes painful as they realise how different their lives have become.
Eun-a admits that their schedules rarely match and suggests they stop trying to maintain the relationship. She tells him it would be better to end things rather than continue struggling to find time for each other. Tae-seo is visibly heartbroken but accepts her decision.
Over the next few weeks, Eun-a focuses on her work and occasionally remembers the plans she once made with Tae-seo about their future. Months pass, and Tae-seo later returns to town during the winter holidays and spends time with his family.
On his way back to Seoul, he reflects on the memories he shared with Eun-a, especially their early days studying together in the library. The episode ends with a ten-year time jump where Tae-seo is now working as a train operator in Seoul.
The Episode Review
This was an exhausting episode to watch as our main leads struggle to make time for each other. They have been struggling to maintain their relationship, and it was only natural for them to end things.
Seeing how Eun-a did not want to leave her father alone, her taking up the internship and a job while living away from him does not make sense. She could very well have moved to a university in Seoul and travelled back home when needed.
But to be fair, her father is to blame here as well. If he were serious about his relationship with So-hyeon, he could have told Eun-a the same, which would have given her more clarity on how she would go about her degree.
I feel bad for Tae-seo's character, who is burdened with guilt and responsibility. Not only does he spend most of his time working hard and tutoring students, but he is also trying to make time for Eun-a while focusing on his degree.
Hui-seo had no business guilt-tripping Tae-seo about his grandparents working hard because I am sure Tae-seo is aware of what was happening.
Now that they have broken up and 10 years down the line Tae-seo is working as a train operator, I wonder what the events have caused this to transpire.
Episode Rating
3
Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
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