Love to Hate You built its final moments on a mix of vulnerability, personal growth and a romance that refused to follow familiar patterns. The story focused on Yeo Mi-ran, a lawyer who refused to depend on men, and Nam Kang-ho, a top actor who tried to hide his mistrust of women behind a polished public image.
From the very beginning, the drama created tension by pairing two people whose experiences had pushed them into opposite directions emotionally, yet still managed to draw them closer through unexpected situations.
She challenged him, he saw her—love met honesty (Photo: Love to Hate You/Netflix)The central idea behind their fake relationship might have started as a business arrangement, but what made the show work was how both of them slowly dropped their defences. Mi-ran, used to always proving herself in a world that doubted her, found herself being seen for who she really was for the first time.
Kang-ho, who always hid behind the persona he presented to the media, came to realise that love did not have to look perfect for it to be real.
Their love story took time, because both of them had their own struggles. The chemistry grew not through charm alone, but through effort and patience. By the time the final stretch of episodes began, the audience had seen these two characters put in the work to understand one another.
Trust Was Not Given Freely — It Was Earned Slowly
Mi-ran’s past experiences with men had taught her not to expect honesty. Her confidence in herself never wavered, but she kept people at arm’s length because she feared letting anyone in too deeply. This was why her initial agreement with Kang-ho — a fake dating set-up — felt safe. There was no risk of emotional disappointment. It was meant to be a job.
Kang-ho had his own wall up too. His experiences with women who only cared about his celebrity status made it hard for him to believe in real connection. Although he had the image of someone who always had control, deep down he avoided anything that would make him feel exposed.
As they kept pretending to be a couple, moments that should have felt staged ended up feeling too real. Their arguments were not just part of the act. The jealousy, the concern, the need to protect — it all came out without them even realising it. Slowly, they both began to see that pretending was no longer necessary. The feelings had already become genuine.
The Fear of Being Hurt Almost Stopped Everything
Even after both Mi-ran and Kang-ho admitted their growing emotions, there was still hesitation. Mi-ran, for all her boldness, could not ignore the fear that getting involved with someone like Kang-ho might bring heartbreak. He lived in a public world she never wanted to be part of. She had worked too hard to define herself by her own name, not by someone else’s fame.
Kang-ho, on his part, began to panic once he realised how deeply he had fallen for her. His old habits kicked in. He tried to protect himself by pulling back emotionally. This almost led to their separation. Neither of them wanted to admit that their own fears were blocking what they had already found.
The moment of truth came when Mi-ran found herself willing to put her pride aside and tell him what she truly wanted. That small move broke something open in Kang-ho. He had spent so long acting like love had to be flawless that he almost missed the real thing because it came with uncertainty and risk. But he chose to stop hiding.
Trust wasn’t easy, but they built it anyway (Photo: Love to Hate You/Netflix)Support From Friends and Colleagues Added Strength
The people around the main couple played a strong role in pushing their story forward. Mi-ran’s best friend, who knew her long before any of this started, helped remind her that it was okay to open her heart if the person on the other side respected it.
Kang-ho’s manager, who had been with him through his toughest times, also saw how much Mi-ran had changed him — not by demanding perfection, but by simply being real.
Their careers, too, reflected what was happening in their personal lives. Mi-ran continued to prove herself as a tough and capable lawyer, not needing anyone to clear the way for her. Kang-ho began choosing roles that made him feel more honest, rather than just ones that polished his image. It became clear that their relationship helped both of them become better, not just happier.
The public eventually found out about their relationship, and while the media storm could have ended everything, they stood together. Rather than running or hiding, they faced the pressure by showing that they were not ashamed of what they had built.
The Ending Gave Room for Growth Without Losing Romance
By the time the series reached its last few scenes, the couple had crossed most of the emotional hurdles in their way. But the story made sure that love did not erase their individuality. Mi-ran and Kang-ho still had separate paths and dreams, but they made space for each other within those goals.
Instead of choosing a loud or overly dramatic ending, the series opted for something calm and warm. Mi-ran continued working at the law firm, still as fierce and witty as ever. Kang-ho returned to acting, but this time with a more honest version of himself. They supported each other without having to change who they were.
The final scene brought everything full circle. What started as pretend ended up becoming something real and lasting. They did not need grand declarations. Their quiet comfort with one another was enough to show that love had found its way through the walls they had spent so long building.
Love to Hate You did not try to rewrite how romance works. Instead, it reminded viewers that respect, honesty and patience are sometimes more powerful than charm or fairy-tale gestures.
The strength of the series came from how it allowed its characters to stumble and still choose each other at the end. If you would like to watch Love to Hate You, it is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
