Love, Misunderstandings, and Sobriety: Choi Soo-young and Gong Myung Ignite Chemistry in tvN’s ‘Please Stop Drinking’

In the latest episode of tvN’s Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Please Stop Drinking’, Choi Soo-young and Gong Myung’s characters dive deeper into a complex relationship filled with misunderstandings, emotional wounds, and alcohol-fueled mishaps.

Episode 2 opens with a dramatic twist as Han Geum-ju (played by Choi Soo-young) is reported missing after her belongings are found near a reservoir, stirring anxiety across the entire village. However, the twist unravels quickly—Han was actually at the house of Seo Yi-jun (played by Gong Myung), who had tried to save her from wandering dangerously into traffic while drunk.

This incident becomes a turning point for both characters. Although the misunderstanding resolves, Seo Yi-jun ends up injuring his leg, turning Han Geum-ju into a reluctant perpetrator bearing a heavy burden. As she’s on leave and unable to pay financial compensation, she decides to help Seo Yi-jun with his house calls, marking the beginning of a slow-burning connection.

The relationship grows more intricate when an anonymous post on an online forum hints at a person with the initials ‘ㅅㅇㅈ,’ who had moved away from Seoul after enduring workplace mistreatment and a broken engagement. The post resonates deeply with Han Geum-ju, who incorrectly connects it to Seo Yi-jun.

Moved by what she believes is Seo Yi-jun’s past, she tries to get closer to him. Yi-jun appears to let his guard down—until it’s revealed that the post wasn’t about him at all. A cold distance reemerges when Yi-jun tells her, “Even if it were true, it wasn’t your place to act on it.”

Further complications arise when Han Geum-ju abandons her post assisting Yi-jun to confront her past in Seoul. This reckless move leads her to an awkward encounter with her ex-fiancé, Yoo Ui-tae, and his new partner. Devastated and emotionally drained, Han seeks solace in alcohol once again, only to face Seo Yi-jun’s disapproval: “Whatever the reason, it seems like a convenient excuse to drink.”

The episode crescendos with a mysterious cliffhanger involving Seo Yi-jun’s dark past. While previously believed to be sober, his fridge is found filled with soju bottles. A chilling online comment claims, “Seo Yi-jun killed someone,” sparking curiosity about secrets yet to unfold. The final scene shows Yi-jun frozen and dropping a bottle—leaving viewers anxiously awaiting what’s next.

Written by Myung Su-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun, and directed by Jang Yoo-jung and Jo Nam-hyeong, this drama blends emotional turmoil, romantic tension, and psychological intrigue, offering a fresh perspective on recovery, human connection, and the lingering shadows of one’s past.